Southern Comfort (18 page)

They might not be a married couple, but she was his woman, that was for damn sure. And anyone who tried to hurt her was going to have to come through him.

Chapter Sixteen

Rodrick cursed as he hurried back to the used car. He'd run into some bad luck in Midland. The fake identity he'd been assured would stand up to anything ended up belonging to someone with the credit rating of pond scum. The credit cards were, therefore, worthless, which meant he couldn't extend the duration of the rental car. Cash, apparently, was not accepted for such things.

His only option was to purchase a used car. A very cheap used car that, as it turned out, had no air conditioning, sounded like the vehicle equivalent of an asthmatic and had tires that had long since possessed tread.

But it was transportation and something he could afford to buy and ditch when the time came with no one the wiser that it was Rodrick Becke who'd purchased it.

He climbed into the wheezing compact, started the engine and set out to find a cheap place to stay for the night, hopefully one that accepted cash. He found one off the highway, a rundown motel that catered to "nightly" regulars.

Rodrick could care less what the people next door were doing. He took his plastic bag and his small travel case inside, locked the door and went straight to the bathroom. After disrobing, he read the instructions on the hair coloring.

Less than an hour later, his blond hair was gone. Now his needing- to- be- trimmed hair was the color of coal, as was the mustache and scraggly beard he had let grow since leaving New York. Not even his own father would recognize him, which was exactly what he wanted.

He dined on the cold burger and fries he'd picked up at a drive thru, downed the watery soda and stripped back the stained bedcover. At least the sheets appeared to be clean. He stretched out on the bed and turned on the television, scanning the news stations.

Ten minutes later he was sitting up as if he'd been stabbed in the back. Fear had his heart racing and sweat breaking out on his skin. Now not only was his father and brother in jail, but he was on the most wanted list. He grabbed the disposable phone and accessed the browser. His destination was nearly two hundred miles from his current location, if he was, in fact, headed for the right place. Cotton Creek, Texas

Tomorrow by this time, that's where he would be. And he would not leave until he had the money she'd taken from him. With that, and with the thumb-drive in his pocket containing the evidence that proved his brother Rolf was the mastermind behind the money laundering scheme, he could cut a deal and if lucky, walk away with the rest of the money that no one knew anything about.

Feeling calmer now that he'd thought things through and remembering that he was smarter than the FBI chasing him, as well as all of Moretii's henchmen, he turned the channel on the television to an old movie, lay back and let his mind go over each step of his plan.

*****

Analise let out a yelp as she was grabbed from behind. It only took a split second for her to realize who it was when Riley kissed the side of her neck. "Hmmm, eau de walnut."

She laughed and turned to face him. "I thought you weren't going to be back until dinnertime?"

"It is dinnertime."

"Are you serious?"

Riley laughed. "You get lost?"

"I guess so. But look. I got almost half-way around the table and it's not looking too bad."

Riley leaned over to study the table top she was working on. It was the table he was building for Billy to give to his wife, Stella. Analise had drawn a border around the outer perimeter of the table about a half an inch from the edge, and another closer to the center of the table, much smaller. It was engraved into the wood and inside that was a vine and what appeared to be roses, filling the border.

He'd seen the design when she drew it and thought it beautiful but he was doubtful she would be able to carve it with her little Dremel tool and make it look right. It appeared he was wrong.

"That's amazing, honey."

"Really?"

"Really. Billy and Stella are going to love this."

"I'm so happy that you let me help."

"I'm so happy you wanted to." He turned her back to face him and claimed a kiss. Her arms went around his neck and the kiss quickly heated up.

She pulled back and blew out her breath. "Damn, is it getting hot in here?"

"Just a bit."

She laughed. "Okay, since I've been a slack ass, I better get a move on. What do you want?"

Riley's answer was to reached behind her, grab her ass and pull her up against him. She gave another laugh. "Well, as tempting as that is, I fear we may have a revolt if I don't cook. David said he'd asked Bobby to join, if you don't mind."

"Not if you don't."

"No, not at all. I'm glad David has found a friend and I like Bobby."

"Did David tell you that he heard back from Cia?"

"No. About what?"

"About joining the FBI."

"Are you serious?  I thought –"

"Apparently he does still intend to get his law degree, but according to Kade he wants to apply for the FBI once he passes the bar. He's talking to Cia and Kade about how to specialize to maximize his chances."

"Well damn, I feel like the last to know."

"He was planning on telling you, but he was a little worried about your reaction. He seems to think you expect him to graduate and be some big corporate attorney."

Analise gaped at Riley in shock. "What on earth made him think that?"

"Not a clue, but now you know so when he tells you, it won't pull the rug out from under you."

"Thanks for telling me. And we better get in and get cleaned up so I can start on dinner or I'm gonna have three ill-tempered men to deal with."

"How about we get clean and throw some steaks on the grill. We can wrap some potatoes up in foil and put them in the coals and all you have to do is chop up a salad and heat some bread."

"Now that sound good."

"Then let's do it, hot stuff."

She smiled, gave him a quick kiss and then together they headed for the house. Analise thought about David. It bothered her a little that he'd confided in Riley before her, but she told herself maybe Riley was a father figure for David. His own father had not shown much interest in him, and in the short time David had been here, he and Riley had gotten close.

That brought a smile to her face. "Oh, did I tell you that Cody asked me to help out at the bar during the after homecoming party?"

"No." Riley looked down at her. "Waiting tables?"

"And working the bar."

"You want to do that?"

"Yes, actually I do. You're going to be playing with the guys aren't you?"

"That's what I'm told."

"You don't mind if I help her out do you?"

"Not at all. In fact, I think it's real nice of you."

"You know, I love Cody. I know there's a difference in our ages, but she's become a good friend and I'm happy when I can help out her and her family. They're all such good people."

"Yeah, they are."

They walked in the house to find David and Bobby hard at work in the kitchen. "What's all this?" Analise looked around.

"We're cooking."

"You're cooking?"

"Well, sort of. I started the grill. Hope that's okay, Riley. And defrosted some steaks. Bobby's got potatoes all clean and in the coals and I'm making your homemade macaroni and cheese and a salad."

"Sounds good." Riley said. "And since you fellas have it all in hand, we're gonna go clean up." He took Analise's hand and tugged her in the direction of the hall. "Oh, hey, Bobby, will you check and make sure there's enough cold beer? Don’t' know about you guys, but I could use a few. I have a case in the pantry you can throw in the ice bucket  It's in the laundry room and there are bags of ice in the big freezer in there."

"On it, Boss!'

"Good man."

He tugged Analise across the hall and into his room, closed the door behind them and started peeling off his clothes. Analise followed suit and was just sliding out of her jeans when his phone rang. "Check to see who that is, will ya honey?"

She picked up his phone where he'd tossed it on the bed. "Holy shit." She handed him the phone. He took it, looked at the display and hit ignore.

"Riley!  Didn't you read the caller ID?"

"Yep."

"And you're not curious what—"

"Nope."

"Really?" She finished undressing, took her dirty clothes to the hamper, then went into the bathroom and started the water in the shower.

"Nope."

"Why?"

"They or one of the other studios call every now and again, trying to get me to take a part."

"And you're done with acting?."

"Yep."

"You're not even a little bit tempted?"

"Nope."

She was secretly glad to hear him say that. Living here with him as Riley Morgan, in a place where everyone knew him and accepted him for the man he was and not the roles he'd played, was comfortable and safe and –normal. She was certain they wouldn't last if he went back to being Nate Bridges. There would be too much distraction, and too many women offering themselves to him.

Analise wasn't unsure of herself as a woman, but she knew she'd never be able to handle that. It would make her jealous and miserable.

"So, you have everything you want here?" She asked as she stepped into the shower and he stepped in behind her.

Riley took her in his arms. "I do now."

Funny how three little words had the power to make her so happy. Pushing him under the spray of water, she lifted her face for his kiss. For this moment, everything was right in her world and she was going to enjoy it.

By the time they were out of the shower and dressed, David and Bobby had dinner ready. They ate, listening to Bobby and David talk about David's exploits learning to ride and round up cattle. There was a lot of laughter and good natured teasing and for a little while she found herself imagining this was her life.

After dinner, she and Riley took care of the dishes and David and Bobby went into the den and turned on the television. Analise was just putting up the last of the dishes when she heard David's voice.

"Mom!  Mom!  Get in here!"

She and Riley ran into the den to see David pointing at the television. Analise took one look and felt all of the happiness of the day evaporate. The news report was about Rodrick's family business. An indictment had been handed down for money laundering, insider trading and a host of other things. They showed Rodrick's father and his brother, Rolf, handcuffed and being loaded into the back of police cars.

And then the report focused on Rodrick. A spokesperson for the FBI was shown. There was an active manhunt for Rodrick Becke.

When the newscast ended, Analise looked at David and then at Riley. He simply offered her his hand and led her to the couch. They took a seat and she looked at David again.

"He's in deep shit, mom."

"Yes."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. No. I don't know. Are you?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. He did this to himself mom. We had nothing to do with it and he never asked if we wanted to be part of it. He did it without considering what it might to do us and I hope they find him and lock him up."

"David you don't mean—"

"Yes, I do. Look, I know you taught me to respect him because he's my father, but the truth is, he gave me less attention than he did the dog."

"We didn't have a dog, honey."

"Exactly my point. I love you mom, but dad?  I don't even know who he is except the man who disapproved of everything I ever did. Nothing was ever good enough. I was never good enough. He didn't care about me. I was no more to him than you – we were just window dressing, props he thought he needed to give the appearance of a stable married man with a family. A successful man, pillar of the community."

"David, your father does care—"

"Yeah, that's obvious isn't it?  He cares so much that we've both been questioned by the FBI, are in danger from a bunch of mobsters and can't go home. What kind of caring is that?"

"I—" Suddenly she couldn't do it anymore. Couldn't make up excuses and try to spin Rodrick's behavior. "I agree. He doesn't care for either of us the way we would have wanted, and I'm sorry for that. I guess I thought I could care enough for both of us and if I didn't, I'm sorry. Really sorry.

"But he's not a bad man, David. He'd never intentionally hurt—"

"Mom stop it!" His voice rose in anger. "He might not be a murderer or drug dealer, but he took money from people who are. The money you put in my trust is money he stole from people like that. It's blood money and I want nothing to do with it – and nothing to do with him."

"I understand—"

"No." His voice lowered. "No, you don't, mom. You always look for the best in people and sometimes that makes you blind to who they really are because you're wanting so much for them to be who you want them to be. But he's not, mom. He never has been. He – he's been cheating on you for a long time."