BlackJack (A Standish Bay Romance Book 1) (6 page)

After he
arrived at the hotel, he showered and put on a robe courtesy of hotel
management. He ordered up room service, an action flick on cable and settled
down for his last night in Boston. Dozing on and off on the bed, he snapped
awake when room service knocked on his door. He let them in, signed the bill,
and pushed his food around more than he ate. His mind wouldn’t get off Shannon.
Her sad face when he’d walked away from the restaurant kept flashing before his
eyes. The tears that glistened and flowed gently down her cheeks were tears of
pain. Frustrated with the turn of events, he threw his fork down, stripped off
the robe and climbed under the covers, only to be tormented once again by her
face, her lips and her touch.

Someone
knocking on his door awoke him a short time later. He hadn’t the foggiest notion
who it could be this time. He tossed the robe on his naked body, peered out the
security-hole as an instant jolt woke him up. His hand couldn’t turn the
doorknob fast enough to let in a stunningly beautiful Shannon Gallagher who
looked, to his eyes, uncertain and shy.

“Hi, I hope you
don’t mind me stopping by.”

God, how he
wanted her and he could barely hear anything besides his heart pounding in his
temples. He scanned her face, her eyes, and he came to the conclusion she
wanted him too. Words were not needed as he pulled her inside, closed the door,
pinning her up against it with his fully aroused body and took her lips with
his.

He tasted every
last speck of her mouth. His tongue tangled with hers. He drank, nibbled and
tasted some more while his hands found their way to her firm, round breasts on
their own accord. His mind did not condone it because he had no intentions of
this going anywhere. He knew, once he sampled her body, really tasted her sweat
feminine juices, brought her to orgasm, and he released his seed deep inside
her, there would be no leaving her. And he knew he had to leave.

Shannon clung
to him, he felt her body quivering, heard her purring. But he had to do it. He
would not, could not be selfish when it came to her. She meant too much to him.

He tore his
mouth from hers, held her tightly within his arms. When his breathing calmed
and he trusted himself to speak he did, but his voice sounded distant and
foreign to his own ears.

“We can’t.”

Her body tensed
up in his arms and he waited for her to speak. And he continued waiting, barely
able to breathe.

“Shannon?” he
whispered.

Her arms squeezed him tight. So
tight he felt her heart beating simultaneously with his. “It’s okay, I know, bad
timing and all. I just wanted...” She sniffled. “I just wanted to hold you once
more.” She dropped her arms and Cole stepped back. Before she left, she meet
his eyes, and he didn’t know how she managed it, but she smiled. It didn’t
reach her incredible blue eyes, but he would always remember that smile.

Chapter
Five

John and Cameron
had been at odds with one another ever since Sunday morning at the hotel. Cameron
stayed holed up in his room playing his music and refusing to see anyone since
they arrived home. Monday morning came and John had to leave for work soon and
his house basked in shambles. Cheryl was in the bathroom relieving her stomach
of her breakfast while their two-year-old son, Matt sat next to her watching
with fascination.

Five-year-old
twins, Heather and Taylor were emptying their bureaus, each looking for a
favorite piece of clothing, which John knew, would be found in the bottom of
the hamper. Try as they might, they could not keep up with the laundry. It
lived as a bottomless pit, never going away. There were times he swore the
clothes were breeding and multiplying. And to top everything off, Cameron’s
ride would be here in ten minutes and he had yet to leave his room.

John had the
task of dropping the twins off at preschool on his way to work. If he couldn’t
convince them to wear something from the pile on the floor, he’d be late. And
if that didn’t cause enough stress, they were expecting another baby. He needed
his head examined. And never mind his concern about Shannon over Cole Jackson. Christ
he needed a drink. And drinking at seven-thirty in the morning just wouldn’t
look good. He’d have to settle for his favorite pink drink.

Somehow he
survived the morning. Now he sat at his desk going over paper work before he
headed out on the town in his cruiser, hoping for an
uneventful
, quiet day.
Like that
would happen today of all days
.
He gulped his black coffee, trying
to perk up as he mused over the Cole Jackson problem. His son and ex-wife were
so taken by the man, it got him to thinking maybe, just maybe, the man did get
a raw deal. John seriously doubted it, but he knew sometimes justice didn’t
prevail.

***

Shannon’s small
shuttle plane to New York’s LaGuardia Airport rattled her kidneys the whole
way, which didn’t help the stomachache she’d had since last night’s encounter
with Cole. On top of her irritable stomach, her head pounded so badly not even
three aspirins had dulled it. She certainly hoped she didn’t look as bad as she
felt. Because she felt like someone had scrubbed her against a washboard, pounded
her against the side of some rocks for extra effort and left her out in the
scorching heat of the day to dry. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant
feeling.

When the plane
finally landed, she thanked God. Although, truth be told, she didn’t know how
she’d get through her busy day. Her agent, Carol Sawyer, was picking her up at
the airport, then taking her directly to lunch. After lunch Carol was dropping
her off at her first book signing. The signing was in a small independent
bookstore in SoHo. It was a quaint, personable bookstore that sold a decent
amount of her books. It was owned by a nice, older couple who always made
Shannon feel welcome.

After she
finished there, she would take a cab to the Hilton, check-in and prepare for
dinner with her editor, Kevin English. Shannon always looked forward to seeing
him. And she hoped if she timed her day right she might have time for a phone
call or two to start her research into Cole’s case.

Later in the
afternoon, after a harrowing cab ride across the city, Shannon’s nerves were
even more frazzled. After scanning her key card, she opened the door and
gasped. Sitting on the table, which served as a desk, sat two dozen long stem
red roses. Mesmerized by the sight of them, she hurried across the room and
opened the card. “Shannon, thanks for believing in me. Cole.”

She sat down on
the edge of the bed and gave herself five minutes to have a good self-pity cry.
Whatever happened to the days when you could have a good long cry? Spend all
day brooding over your broken heart. Obviously, it was not to be in this
lifetime anyway. She didn’t have the time.

After her
shower she threw on a robe and called one of the New York police stations. The
police sergeant she spoke with was helpful. He gave her the number of the station
were the homicide detective who handled Cole’s case worked. There were times
when having a well-recognized name was an advantage. He never questioned her
motives, so she let him assume it was research for a book.

She dialed the
correct station house, but Detective Guy Simone had left for the day. Shannon
left a brief message, her hotel number and her cell phone number. Next she
would try to reach Cole’s lawyer. The name was embedded in her mind. The case
had received so much publicity, and Cole’s lawyer had been one of the top
defense attorneys in the country. Fortunately for her, he resided in New York. She
dialed Arthur Monroe’s law office and was surprised to be connected to him. He
didn’t know how much he could help her. Anything Cole had shared with him was
confidential, but he did tell her what courthouse the trial was held in and she
should be able to request a copy of the transcripts. They were public-record
since the case was closed.

After thanking
him, she hung up and her brain began to hum. Not too bad for today, because
now, at least she had somewhere to start. Fortunately, due to the nature of
Shannon’s work, and her love of writing romantic suspense, she knew a few good
investigators. Hopefully she might be able to convince one of them to take the
case. Especially if she did all the legwork by giving them the court
transcripts and internet research pertaining to the case. It might be hard, she
mused, since the investigators all lived and worked in Boston, but it was worth
a shot.

Shannon, dressed
in a stunning black cocktail dress, black ballet flats and a black lace wrap,
went down to the lobby to meet her editor. Per usual, Kevin arrived promptly,
impeccably groomed and stylishly dressed as always in a dark gray suit, starchy
white shirt and muted print tie. He stood no taller then she, so she always
wore flats when they dined or went anywhere together. “Kevin, hi.” She kissed
his cheek and hugged him. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” He
stepped back. “Let me look at you.” He winked. “You look positively radiant.” He
looked closer, and his brows suddenly drew. “Your eyes don’t look so good
though, have you been crying?”

Shannon ignored
his query and linked her arm through his. “I’m fine, let’s go.” She wondered if
he’d bring it up again. Knowing Kevin as she did, she didn’t doubt it.

Kevin drove a
small silver BMW sports car made for speed, but speed was impossible to find
this time of day so they drove out of the city heading toward Connecticut at a
snail’s pace. They went to a small bistro just over the border. Shannon gave
him credit, he waited until their wine arrived and after they toasted the
success of her book, “Hot Stones,” to drop the bomb.

Leaning forward
he gave her the look. He had a way of staring at her, making her know he had
some juicy information to tell or information he wanted to know. And in this
case, she’d bet her life on the fact it was information he wanted to know.

“Rumor has it
you were back stage at the BlackJack concert at the Boston Garden and your son
performed with the band.”

He said it in
the nonchalant way Kevin had of pretending he wasn’t interested in something,
when truthfully, he was dying inside with curiosity. Shannon tried to hide her
surprise that he would know this. “The gossip mongers at work?”

Kevin laughed. “No,
the internet.” He raised his eyebrows inquisitively. “So, tell me, is he as
gorgeous as everyone says?”

Playing dumb,
she asked, “Who?”

Kevin grinned. “Come
on Shannon, you know who, Cole Jackson, that’s who.”

Not many people
in the business knew Kevin was gay. Many suspected, but he confided in Shannon
one night after he’d had too much to drink and was depressed over a breakup
with his long-term partner. Since then, they’ve been really close. And
personally, she thought Kevin liked the mystery surrounding his sexual
preference, which stood to reason why he’d never openly come out, so to speak.

“Don’t we have
business to discuss?”

Kevin laughed. “We
already had our business meeting.” He winked at her. “We’re here to discuss our
personal lives as pathetic and nonexistent as they are—or were—if your blushing
is any indication.” He wiggled his brows. “Do tell.”

Shannon took a
sip of her wine. Kevin was one person she could tell anything to. John was
another, although she would never discuss Cole with John ever again. She
ignored the little stab to her heart when she thought about losing John’s
friendship.

Kevin was an
avid listener, so she retold the night’s events.

“So, you slept
with him didn’t you?”

She turned
three shades of pink. “You always could read me like a book.”

Kevin nearly
dropped his wine glass in shock. “Oh God, you did. I was just kidding. Details,
I need details,” he said excitedly as he leaned in closer. “I need lots and
lots of juicy, wet details.”

Her top teeth
bit down on her bottom lip. “Actually I didn’t and not by my choice mind you. I
wanted to. Hell, I threw myself at him. He didn’t want to. His life is a mess
right now, and he’s not prepared for a relationship.”

“I’m sorry. You
could’ve used the sex because you
never
sleep with anyone,” he clipped. “In
fact, when was the last time you had sex?”

“Kevin, please,
enough,” she said mortified and wondered how her cheeks could get any warmer.”

“Are you sure
he’s not gay?” he asked with a spark of hope in his gray eyes.

Shannon choked
on her wine. “Quite sure.”

“I’m really
bummed,” he said as he held up his hands in disappointment. “I was holding out
hope that after spending all those years in prison, he may have had a change of
heart and switched sides, so to speak.”

The waiter
arrived with their Caesar salads, causing them to pause their discussion. When
he was out of earshot, Shannon remarked, “Sorry to disappoint you, but he’s on
my side, so to speak.”

Kevin frowned. “Well,
I can dream, can’t I? So, are you seeing him again?”

Her lips tugged
down into a frown and her eyes watered. “I don’t know. I don’t think so. He’s
on tour for six months. I don’t even know where he lives or how to reach him. Besides,
John read me the riot act and came to the hotel for Cameron the next morning.”

“You don’t
answer to your prick of an ex-husband anymore.”

Shannon’s eyes
widened. “Since when have you thought John was a prick?”

“Since now.” He
winked.

He handed her a
tissue from his pocket. “Jesus Shannon, I’ve never seen you like this. In all
the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you cry. Not unless you were crying
from laughing too hard.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “What
can I do? Just give me the word and I’ll go after John. I’ll beat him up for
you. Hell, I’ll even seduce him if it’ll help.”

Laughter
bubbled out of her mouth as she fought to contain her tears. Her hand curled
around the delicate wine glass and she sipped, hoping to soothe the fire
burning the back of her throat. “Thanks Kevin, but no.”

All through
dinner she kept expecting him to ask whether Cole had killed his wife and what
she thought about it. But she should have known better with Kevin. He wasn’t
going to upset her any more than she already was. And she truly loved him for
that.

They drove to
her hotel pretty much in silence, listening to Mozart on the car stereo. Kevin
knew her well enough to know she didn’t want to talk anymore. They pulled up in
front of her hotel, and he turned to her with concern in his eyes.

“Do you want me
to walk you in?”

Shannon leaned
across the stick shift and kissed his cheek. “No, thank you and I’ll be in
touch.”

Once in her
room she ran a hot bath, hoping to soak away the soreness of her day and force
her mind to concentrate on what was to come tomorrow. Her agent was picking her
up at six and bringing her to the set of
Good Morning America
and from
there to two different bookstores and then she was free until her flight the
next afternoon to Chicago. For now, she plopped down on the bed with her
laptop, powered it up and typed in the name Lindsey Jackson.

***

Cole tried to
relax back in his too cramped for comfort airplane seat and listen to the music
on his phone. There was nothing like a little Led Zeppelin to get you through a
flight. Cole, AJ, Ted, Anita, Brad and Dawn were flying to New York and
crossing over the bridge to New Jersey while the road and equipment crew went
in the band’s specially equipped buses. Tomorrow night started their three
consecutive nights of shows at the Meadowlands. Then they were taking five days
off and meeting up again in Philadelphia, then Pittsburgh and so on across the
country.

Ever since his
release from prison, Cole hated to travel. He obsessed with thinking everyone
looked at him and saw a man who murdered his wife. AJ thought he was just being
paranoid and maybe he should see a doctor about getting on some meds to help
his paranoia. Cole rolled it over in his head and thought AJ was probably right.
Most people didn’t know who he was, yet he still felt uncomfortable around
people and in crowds. Felt as though everyone was whispering about him,
watching him, judging him.

He never minded
the whispering and attention when Lindsey was alive, but now he had such low
self-esteem he couldn’t get over the stigma of being a convicted killer. He
definitely could use a therapist, but he was never in one place long enough to
form a bond with one.

Somehow,
regardless of the uncomfortable seat, he must have dosed off because before he
knew it, they were preparing to land in New York. He told himself it didn’t matter.
He was on his way to New Jersey.

At the airport,
the band members were caught up in a whirlwind of press and fans. Cole tried to
stay out of the limelight, but since word had gotten out about how successful
their Boston shows were, they were bombarded. He forced himself to be civil for
his fellow band members. They’d put a lot on the line for him. Each of them
immediately dropping what they’d been doing when he got out of prison so BlackJack
could rise again. He felt he owed it to them to put on his acting face and
swallow his pride about reporters and about being interviewed. But if just one
reporter mentioned prison life or Lindsey’s death, he’d walk.

After the first
night’s show, Cole braved the so called “back stage room.” He wished to God
Shannon was there with him, giving him her strength and support. But the
quicker he got this over with, the better. However, nothing could prepare him
for Kyle Ward approaching and engulfing him in a bear hug, which Cole didn’t
return. Ward had some nerve coming here.