Bad Karma (32 page)

Sky was impressed that the big, former high school football player had taken his responsibilities seriously at such an early age, and that his work ethic had earned such a stable lifestyle for his family.

“
How old are your sons?” Sky asked.

Trish smiled. “Thomas is eight and the twins will be a year in September. We wanted to wait to start a family. Calvin wanted us to have a real house before we had kids, but Thomas came along and surprised us.”

Calvin slipped his arm around Trish’s shoulders. “She has to finish raising me right along with our sons.”

She gave him a loving smile and stroked her hand over his muscular, tree-trunk of a thigh. “I hope you’ll always be my big little boy. You’re way too much fun to play with.”

Calvin pointed a finger to the rear of the property. “You kids look away, now.” He leaned over to kiss Trish.

Sky and Zach grinned at each other and then he stood. Offering both hands, he drew her to her feet. “We should be going. It’s been a great evening, but Sky has the early shift tomorrow.”

Their hosts rose to show them out.

Sky leaned in to hug Trish and Calvin in turn. “Dinner was excellent, Trish. You should make Calvin sleep in the barn for saying your cooking was terrible.”

“
Hush, young lady,” he said. “I was just getting ready to make my move.”

Trish laughed. “After twelve years of marriage, you don’t have any moves that I don’t see coming a mile away.”

Calvin and Trish escorted Sky and Zach around to the Audi.

Sky felt buoyant, as though the fear keeping her submerged had been dealt with. She knew that the man who stalked her was still waiting for her, probably watching Zach’s house, but at the moment, she was content to grab a handful of joy while she could.

A little shiver played around her spine. She wished she could live forever in a safe place with Zach as the Bailey man taking care of his woman.

“
What the hell?” Calvin’s jovial countenance evaporated in an instant. His brows drew together as he stared at the Audi.

Sky followed the direction of his gaze, the smile frozen on her face. Her skin felt hot. The food she’d consumed for dinner rose up in her throat. Panic welled in her stomach. She felt the crosshairs on her neck again as they stood together in the bright moonlight staring at the Audi sitting on its rims with four slashed tires.

~*~

“
What is this place?” Cassie stared at the high-rise apartment complex situated on the beach front.

“
Come on and I’ll show you.” Javi opened her door and held out his hand.

She slid off the leather seat into his embrace. He swung her to the ground and, pushing a card key into a slot for the external elevator, he stepped inside with her in tow.

He was grinning as the elevator rose to the fifth floor.

When the doors opened, Javi led her out onto a long covered walkway and opened the door to one of the apartments.

“
What do you think?”

Cassie looked around the empty space. It had a large combination living room and dining room and a kitchen beyond with a doorway leading, she supposed, to sleeping quarters.

“
It’s nice Javi. Whose is it?”

He stepped close to her, slipping his arm around her waist. “It’s mine. I leased it a couple of days ago. Do you like it?”

“
Yes, it’s a great place.” She turned to him, perplexed. “Are you moving out of your parent’s home?”

He nodded. “Yes, it’s time. When I came back to port I after my tour in the Navy, I let myself slide back into a comfortable situation, but it’s not comfortable now. I’ve been able to save a lot of my paychecks by living at home.”

“
I understand, but why make a change now?”

The look he gave her was scorching. He stroked the side of her face. “I was hoping you might want to live here with me.”

Cassie opened her mouth to protest and he took advantage of it, kissing her deeply, sending swirls of sensation to all her female parts.

She pulled away, gasping for air. “I have to live with Skyler. I have to protect her.”

“
Zach is doing a pretty good job of that. The sheriff is going to find the man who set the fire. Give him a chance.”

His words brought her up short. How was she supposed to trust her sister’s life to strangers?

“
Cassie, I’m afraid for you. This guy almost killed you once. I want to protect you…and I need you in my life.” He rained little kisses over her face and neck. “Did you ever think that maybe Zach and Sky could have a little privacy if you weren’t around?”

She heaved a giant sigh. “Yes, there are plenty of times when I feel like the fifth wheel, but I try and give them plenty of alone time.”

“
That’s what I want, Cassie. Lots of alone time with you.” The intensity of his gaze sent a little shiver racing through her. “Don’t you want to be with me?”

Her pulses throbbed in her ears like drums beating cadence. “Yes,” she whispered.

“
Then, take this. It’s yours.” He held up a shiny brass key.

Cassie swallowed hard, her fingers reaching for the key.

He held her hand to his lips. “Don’t tell me no. If you can’t say yes, just take this key until you can say yes.”

She nodded.

“
Tomorrow, you can help me pick out some furniture for this place.”

She cleared her throat. “I have to work tomorrow.”

His brows drew together. “No, you don’t. There’s no reason for you to work delivering lunches. I can provide for you. I want to provide for you.”

“
Javi, I...”

“
I know the fire wiped you out. Just allow me to take care of you.”

“
I have money,” she got out. Taking a deep breath, she tried to organize her thoughts.
This is the perfect time. I’ll tell him and he’ll forgive me for my sins of omission
. “I have a savings account. The bank is sending me another ATM card. Really, there’s lots of money in it, my savings and graduation presents.”

Javi embraced her, kissing her forehead. “Baby, your high school graduation presents were meant for something special. Maybe you want to go to school later on.”

“
Well, yes, I plan to further my education.”
I plan to get my doctorate.

“
Great, baby.” He favored her with a wide grin. “What do you want to do?”

“
I want to teach. I am a teacher.”

He kissed her forehead. “Of course you are, baby. Maybe you can take some basic courses online, just to get them out of the way. And then later, you can look into classes at one of the nearby colleges.”

“
No, really. I am a teacher.”

“
You’ll be a fine teacher someday. I want to help you make your dreams come true. In the meantime, we can build a life together.

His eyes, dark and shining with encouragement, filled her with anguish. Tears sprang to her eyes and he kissed them away. “If you’re not ready to move in with me, at least we’ll have a place to relax and hang out together. Okay?”

Cassie nodded her head, tears rolling down her cheeks.

She pressed herself against his shoulder as he picked her up and swung her in a circle. She kicked herself for being such a miserable chicken in light of Javier’s obvious delight over the prospect of providing for his simple-minded little delivery girl.

~*~

Calvin called the Sheriff’s office and a departmental vehicle showed up in a matter of minutes.

Shortly thereafter, Rafael pulled into the clearing in front of the house in the Escalade. Sky was surprised to discover that his lovely, very pregnant wife accompanied him.

Rafael escorted Chloe, to the group now huddled together on the porch.

Chloe was embraced by Trish before she turned to give Sky her attention. “You must be so frightened.” Chloe gathered Sky into a hug. “Raffy took me to dinner and a movie in Harlingen. We were on our way home when Darla called.”

Sky felt numb. She knew that injured nerves stopped feeling pain after a while. She supposed she’d reached that point. There was no use being scared any more. This man, Luther Franks, meant to kill her and he was showing her that he could get to her anywhere.

A second unit came rushing down the narrow lane with its lights flashing. Darla jumped out as soon as it ground to a stop, sprinting to where her brothers stood with their arms around the women they held dear. Germaine, the tall African American deputy who’d been at the wheel, followed her to where Sky stood in the circle of Zach’s arms.

Darla and Rafael gathered what information they could as one of the deputies dusted the Audi for prints and another took photos of the crime scene.

Darla drew Zach and Sky aside, fixing them both with her serious gaze. “Are you two ready to talk about protection now?”

Sky looked at Zach and then back at Darla. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Zach cleared his throat. “Darla thinks we should keep some weaponry close at hand.”

Sky frowned. “Weaponry?”

Darla looked grim. “Guns. I think you should have a couple of guns in case this guy attacks you. There might not be time to call for help.”

Sky shivered, a trickle if ice slipping down her spine. “I should go. I should just go and spare everyone from all this drama.” She tried to smile, but her face crumpled as tears overtook her.

Zach put his arm around her. “Don’t even think about it,” he growled.

“
Sky,” Darla said. “It’s time for you to get hold of your fear and turn it around. By this time, you should be mad. This man is making your life miserable. He almost killed your sister and he’s after you. Don’t you want to fight back?”

Sky fought to control her tears. She had been running scared for months now. It had never occurred to her to fight back.

~*~

The next morning, Zach ate granola and yogurt with Sky on the deck. It was overcast and the wind was blowing from the north. A patch of darkness on the beach below turned out to be a flock of seagulls standing with their beaks pointed into the wind.

Zach watched Sky, trying not to intrude on her thoughts. She’d been quiet since Rafael and Chloe had dropped them off at the house last night.

After he drove Sky to the hospital Zach would purchase four new tires and take care of the Audi. The car was only a machine, but by damaging her property, Franks had proven he could get to her no matter where Zach tried to spirit her away.

“
Are you ready?” he asked when she finished the yogurt. “Leave it.” He indicated the container and she stood, taking the hand he stretched out to her.

He held her for a long moment, a flood of emotions clutching at his throat, as he stroked her silky hair. “I made your lunch.” He released her and handed her the small insulated bag he used when he made his dolphin runs with Mack on the
Fair Weather
.

A smile broke through all the storm clouds gathered on her face. “You made my lunch? How sweet.”