Relentless Pursuit (13 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Pierce grabbed another beer out of Marshall’s refrigerator and sat down with the group of men. They’d been talking for an hour already. Cole had come up with a simple plan of surveillance, but then Ahmed tossed in the idea of using Pierce as bait. Suddenly the plan got a lot more complicated. The one being discussed now involved a body double, which sounded cool to Pierce.

At the knock on the door, Marshall’s dog, Bob, raised his head from where he was using the vizsla stare to will the bowl of cheese puffs closer and determined it wasn’t worth barking at the new arrival. Pierce watched the dog out of the corner of his eye and as soon as everyone turned their attention to the door, Bob shot up and placed his front feet on the table. His head dove into the bowl of cheese puffs and a second later he was resting his head quietly again on the table. The only evidence of his having ever moved was the yellow cheese powder on his nose.

“Hey, guys,” Will greeted as he walked in. “Hope you don’t mind me stopping by, but Kenna went over to Dani’s to hang out so I thought I’d see how you all were making out.”

“I guess they’re having some kind of girls night while we’re all over here. They’re probably watching
Steel Magnolias
and crying by now,” Marshall shuddered.

Tammy was sitting in her living room waiting for Mo’s car to arrive. She felt funny accepting it, but Tammy had learned by working with Dani that Mo’s offers were really well-mannered orders. If Tammy had driven herself, one of Mo’s men would be in a car right behind her. When Mo first moved to town, she would've taken that action as a power trip. But now she and the rest of the town knew better. He didn’t have many friends growing up so the people of Keeneston had become his friends and he looked out for them.

At the sound of the knock at her door, Tammy stood up and straightened her simple cotton dress and slipped on her tan heels. She was probably overdressed, but she just felt wrong walking into the enormous, richly furnished house in jeans. She opened the door and looked at the man standing there in a black suit similar to the one Ahmed wore. But even she could tell it wasn't of the same quality. She’d been sent an underling who desperately wanted to be Ahmed.

“Hi. Are you new to Mo’s staff? I don’t recognize you,” she asked as she looked over his short and rather lanky body. It was clear he was trying his hardest to be more muscular, but she didn’t know if it was actual muscles or just many layers of clothing.

“I have just arrived from Rahmi last week. It is a great honor to serve His Royal Highness and his princess,” the man said slowly with heavily accented English, a smile never tempting his lips.

“Well, welcome to Keeneston. My name is Tammy Fields.” Tammy held out her hand and the man just stared at her. “And, your name is?”

“Nabi Ulmalhamsh Mosteghanemi,” he said quickly in his native tongue. Tammy blinked. She had no idea where to even start.

“It’s nice to meet you, Nabi,” She said with a smile on her face hoping he’d forgive her horrible pronunciation.

“No. My name is Nabi Ulmalhamsh Mosteghanemi.” With a quick bow of his head, he then motioned that it was time to leave.

Tammy locked the door and wondered if he’d be insulted if she said, “Hey you.” Nabi escorted her to the black Mercedes sedan and opened the door for her. The ride didn’t take long, but it gave her a chance to think about her plan. Tammy wondered what the other girls would think of it.

The car came to a stop and Tammy hopped out, much to the aggravation of mini-Ahmed. She climbed the stairs and the door was opened by Mo's butler, who she was pretty sure was also very capable of defending the house all on his own.

“Good evening, Miss Fields,” he said formally.

“How are you doing, Umar?” Tammy asked with a smile as she noticed mini-Ahmed glare briefly at the butler.

“I’m doing well. Thank you, Miss Fields. The ladies are in their normal spot. Shall I take you?” He said with a grin. Well, it seemed that Umar was enjoying rankling the new guy.

“No, thanks. I know where it is,” Tammy told him as she headed off down the long hall. As she passed her favorite Renoir painting, she could already hear Paige’s laughter.

The door was partially opened and Tammy walked into Dani’s part of the house. Comfortable upholstered chairs and couches filled the room instead of the elegant, yet uncomfortable antiques that graced some of the formal rooms Dani and Mo used when they had company. Instead of priceless masterpieces hanging on the wall, there were family photos.
Steel Magnolias
was on the large flat-screen television as Julia Roberts appeared.

“We’re watching a movie?” Tammy asked.

“Tammy!” Dani cheered. “Grab some dessert and have a seat. When Marshall texted Katelyn asking what she was doing, she said we were picking out a chick flick. We didn’t want to lie, and this is our best cover. What guy is going to want a play-by-play of a girly movie?” Dani and the rest of the girls laughed.

“Good point! Have you all started talking about Pierce yet?”

Morgan stood up and grabbed another chocolate truffle. “Not yet, we were waiting for you. We had to find out how Nabi did,” she said with an evil grin.

Tammy closed the door and popped a truffle in her mouth. “I think he’s a mini-Ahmed. Though much stricter. And he wouldn’t let me call him Nabi.”

“He is a mini-Ahmed!” Dani said with a chuckle. “He’s only twenty-one and has studied in the Academy over in Rahmi. He worships Ahmed. Ahmed’s not so amused. So he’s learned all about Ahmed’s professional side and thinks he has to be a mute badass to be like Ahmed. We’re working on him.”

“What I want to know is what idea you have for Pierce. I saw your face at the farm and you have an idea,” Kenna read correctly.

“Well, everyone is assuming Pierce remembers what these guys look like. However, Pierce has no idea. I’m betting the guys will come up with a plan that will make Pierce the bait. My plan is to make me the bait.” Tammy paused as she let it sink in. Was she really prepared to do that? If it meant helping Pierce, then the answer was a quick yes.

“Sneaky,” Annie finally said. “Pierce said when they attacked him at his house they were wearing masks, but they had taken them off to drive.” She started before Kenna jumped in.

“And Tammy got a good look at them driving…” Everyone turned and looked at her. “Did you actually see them?”

“Yes and no. I saw that the bigger guy was driving and he was definitely a male. Besides that, not really. His hair was short, but not buzz-cut.”

“I love it!” Annie laughed. Before they could discuss it further, the door opened and Umar led Bridget inside. She strode confidently in and then paused, looking slightly lost. “Bridget! I’m so glad you came! I hope you all don’t mind, but Bridget has lots of experience at this kind of thing.”

“Of course not! Welcome! Did you find the place easily enough?” Dani asked as she rose from the chair to put an arm around a suddenly uncomfortable-looking Bridget.

“Yes, I did. But then some kid wanted to search every nook and cranny before the butler got to him.”

“Oh, no! Umar, tell mini-Ahmed to come apologize,” Dani said on a sigh.

“Mini-Ahmed?” Bridget raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“Yes. He studied Ahmed in school and thinks he’s the end-all of security, which he is. But Nabi hasn’t learned how to use his skills while in society yet,” Dani explained before turning to her butler.  “Umar, can you pronounce his name for me. I still can only get Nabi.”

“Nabi Ulmalhamsh Mosteghanemi, Your Highness. And, if you don’t mind me saying, I think he learned his lesson.”

“Thank you for taking care of that. He needs to realize this is a home, not the royal palace, and people need to be treated kindly,” Dani smiled.

“Actually, Miss Springer took care of it.”

“I guess I need to be the one apologizing,” Bridget said sheepishly. “I might have temporarily disabled him.”

“It was well done, ma’am. The cook will be bringing you a special treat shortly.” Umar sent her a wink and then stoically closed the door.

“Ah, hazing the new guy. Fun times,” Bridget said, relaxing a little more. With a quick flick of her wrist, she pulled her long hair into a ponytail and sat down on the sofa next to Annie. “So, what have I missed?”

Katelyn filled her in quickly and Bridget nodded in approval. “It’s a good plan, but you need to find a way to let them know you have the information without being obvious.”

“Actually,” Morgan spoke up, “I have been thinking about that.” With a grin, Morgan told them her idea.

Paige let out a low whistle. “We can’t let anything slip on that. You know how the guys are. They’ll be furious.”

“I know! Won’t it be fun?” Annie laughed.

“I think I may be of assistance as well.” Everyone jumped and turned around to where Mo was standing by the door that connected to his office. “After you put this into motion, you need help and I’ll provide the support for that."

“Thank you, husband, but now we have the second topic to cover. So shoo!” Dani blew Mo a kiss. With an elegant bow, Mo headed back into his office. “Now we got that settled, there’s something else involving Pierce we need to talk about.”

Tammy felt everyone turn and look at her with innocent little smiles on their faces. “What?”

“So, are you two dating now? I mean, you did go on a date to the café,” Kenna said with a smile on her face.

“I don’t know. Someone interrupted us when I was trying to find out if there was a relationship or not.” Tammy glared at Paige and then laughed to show her friend she wasn’t being serious.

“Sorry about that. It’s a brother-sister thing.” Paige shrugged with a smile.

“I have a confession to make,” Tammy said, dropping her voice. The women all leaned closer to her. “If you tell anyone, I will go crazy on all of you! Deal?”

“Deal,” the group eagerly agreed.

“You know the advice Henry gave me, to act like the kiss was no big deal?” Tammy paused and took a deep breath. “He was
right
! It worked like a charm.”

The girls broke out laughing and Tammy felt as if she were finally part of this special group of women. Sure, she’d been friends with them, but not like this. And this, however you describe it, was special.

“Well then, what’s the status? Is Pierce falling at your feet?” Katelyn asked as the girls leaned in once again.

“That’s the funny thing. At the café he was flirting so heavy with me, I thought I’d burn up on the spot.” The girls all fanned themselves and Tammy grinned. So this was what it was like to have a group of friends instead of working to keep a roof over her head all the time. “But then it all changed.”

“I didn’t do that, did I?” Paige asked, suddenly worried.

“No. I came over to see him and he said he wanted to watch a movie and talk. What does that mean? One second I’m all confident and feeling like the sexiest woman alive. The next, I'm standing there feeling frumpy and wondering what was wrong with me.”

“Nothing is wrong with you!” Paige cried as she hurried over to her.

“You’re going to laugh, Bridget, but I was trying to be more like you,” Tammy said with an embarrassed grin.

“Me?” Bridget’s eyes went wide as she looked around.

“Yeah, you’re always so confident and sexy. I wanted to be like that. Do you have a secret?” Tammy laughed as she ducked her head to hide the blush on her cheeks.

“Are you messing with me?” Bridget asked suspiciously as she looked down at her black running pants and top. She only had two types of clothes, sporty and military. Not exactly sexy. 

“Well, it sounds as if we need to have an intervention for you both!” Paige clapped her hands; Kenna, Dani, and Katelyn squealed; and Annie cringed. “And it all starts with underwear.”

“What?” Tammy and Bridget said at the same time.

“Soft, sexy, and silky is key. It gives you a whole new boost of confidence to know you’re wearing a sexy little number beneath your clothes,” Katelyn explained.

“And I happen to have a whole box in my car! I just got them in and was getting ready to take them over to the shop. I was planning to turn the backroom into a Sugar and Spice room.” Paige clapped her hands and hurried out of the room on her mission.

“This gives a whole new meaning to trunk show,” Kenna laughed.

“Who knows, maybe it’ll distract him from noticing I don’t exactly have ample, well, anything,” Tammy sighed.

“I guarantee you, Pierce won't find one thing the matter with you. He’ll be too busy thanking his lucky stars he finally got you undressed.” Morgan shot her a grin and Tammy started thinking this could possibly work.

“Now that that’s settled, let’s solve this case!” Annie sat back in her chair, popped a truffle in her mouth, and grinned.

“And win a man’s heart!” Dani cheered.

Tammy laughed as she and Bridget joked about the pink bags they were carrying with dainty little numbers in them, all thanks to Paige. Mini-Ahmed stood holding the door for Tammy and eyeing Bridget suspiciously.

“What did you do to him?” Tammy whispered.

“Nothing I can’t teach you. I’ll come over in the afternoon and show you a few moves if you’d like.” Bridget paused and took in the shadows of the farm.  “I’m actually starting to really like this place. I was supposed to be here only for a week, but I think I’ll stay here another week. I’ve raised Marko since he was a puppy, and I'm finding it hard to give him up. Also, the quietness of the town is really nice.”

“Except for the whole murder, fire thing,” Tammy sarcastically remarked.

“Hell of a lot better than being shot at all the time. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“True. Tomorrow at three would be perfect.” Tammy said good-bye to Bridget and was getting into the Mercedes when Paige called out to her.

“Tammy! I’m glad I caught you before you left. We’re having dinner at my parents’ house tomorrow. Why don’t you join us? I’m sure Mom will want to thank you for all you've done.”

“Are you sure? Isn’t it a family dinner?” Tammy started to grow a little nervous.

Paige sent her a funny look. “Yeah. And you just spent hours here with half the family. It’s not as if you don’t know us all, silly.”