Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2) (16 page)

He glanced away, clearly unable to look at her. "Both boxes of candy were local. Both anonymous. Obviously one came from Mel."

"Yes, but who sent the other one?"

"I don't know. Not Fox. It's not his style."

Some of her anger faded. "Candy is definitely not his style. Candy doesn't say I own you."

"Face it, Tawney, in this town you are a prize. There isn't a man in this bar who doesn't want to sleep with you."

Tawney looked out into the crowded bar, instantly wary of every single man in the place. She hated feeling vulnerable and anonymous gifts made her feel just that.

"Look," Rick said, touching her arm. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want to upset you. Yesterday was great. I wanted you to have a perfect memory of that day. I knew the candy would make you crazy."

His words touched her, defusing her anger. She fingered the mustang charm on her bracelet. He had indeed given her a perfect day. "Okay, apology accepted, but please if you see anything suspicious will you tell me? I need to be prepared. This town is giving me a false sense of security. Talking with my mom yesterday brought Vegas back with all its seediness. I need to remember that Fox is still out there. I’m not stupid enough to think he's just going to let his infatuation with me go."

"I won't let him hurt you," Rick said, his tone low. "You can trust me."

Could she trust him? Boy, did she want to. It would be so easy to lean on him, to let him take charge, but she was not that kind of girl. Accepting help from others was hard. Now, with Star and Cade away on their honeymoon she felt even more alone.

The door opened again and Destiny walked into the bar. Tawney watched as male heads turned. Even with her coat on Destiny oozed sexuality. She took a seat at the counter, peeling off her parka, tossing the coat onto the empty barstool beside her. She wore a figure hugging hot pink sweater and slim fitting black jeans. Holy cow.

"Tawney, there you are," Destiny said. "I conned Brandi into dropping me off while she gases up the car. I thought we could have a quick drink and spend a few minutes together before we leave for the airport. Be a dear and get your mama a glass of chardonnay."

Tawney didn't dare look over at Mel and Harry, sure their tongues would be hanging out.

Rick poured Destiny a glass of wine and slid it to her. "On the house."

Destiny smiled her famous "megawatt" smile. "Thank you. Tawney can you take a break and sit with me? I only have a few minutes, and we haven't had much of chance to get caught up."

"Sure, Mom." Tawney glanced at Rick. "You don't care, do you?"

"Of course not."

Tawney hung up her mom's coat then took the empty bar stool beside her. "Have you enjoyed your time here?"

"You know it," Destiny said. "I loved seeing you girls and that baby is so delicious. I could just eat him up."

"I could eat you up," Harry said from two bar stools down. He leered at Destiny.

Tawney shot him a withering look.

Destiny peered around Tawney to better see Harry. "Why aren't you sweet?" she said. She held up her left hand. "Sorry, sugar, I'm married. But a girl does like to feel appreciated."

"I appreciate you," Mel said.

Tawney wanted to puke. No one could work a man like Destiny.

"Did I hear you say you were Tawney's mama?" Mel asked. "I can see where she gets her good looks from."

"Thank you." Destiny fluffed her hair, putting on quite a show for Mel and Harry. "If you don't mind, fellas, I so rarely get to see my daughter; we need to have some private girl talk."

Mel and Harry grumbled but went back to their beers.

"You are a master, Mom," Tawney said. "You handled them like a pro."

"You don't work in a city like Las Vegas as long as I did and not learn a few tricks," Destiny said. She fiddled with the stem on her wine glass. "Are you really okay, baby? I'm worried about this business with Fox. Just say the word and I'll call him myself."

"No!" Tawney said. "Promise me you won't. I don’t want him to know anything about me."

"Okay, okay." Destiny took Tawney's hand. "Just be careful."

"I am, Mom." Tawney glanced over at Rick. He watched them from his perch near the cash register.

"Protect yourself when it comes to that one," Destiny said, giving a head nod toward Rick. "I don't trust him. He looks at you like you are some kind of delicious dessert and he wants to eat you up."

"Mom," Tawney groaned.

"Well, it's true. I mean, what is he really doing here in this town? Who's he trying to fool? He doesn't belong here any more than you do."

"We all have our baggage, Mom, including you," Tawney pointed out. "Now for heaven's sake, please change the subject."

"If you get tired of things here," Destiny said, "you could come and visit me. John and I would love to have you. You'd love my house there. It's one of those McMansions. Gorgeous. Professionally decorated, not really my taste, but classy."

Tawney squeezed her mother's hand. "Thanks, Mom. That means a lot to me. I’m glad you're happy."

"As a clam." Destiny smiled. "That's all I want for all of my girls, for you to be happy. Star and Brandi are pretty settled, but I worry about you and Ruby."

"I know."

"Well…" Destiny finished her wine, setting the empty glass on the bar. Her phone pinged and Destiny fished it out of her purse, glancing at the screen. "Brandi's waiting outside. Time to go. I guess this is good-bye, my tiny dancer."

Tawney hugged her mom. "Have a safe trip."

"And you be safe," Destiny said, kissing Tawney on the forehead.

After Destiny had gone, Tawney couldn’t help but think of her offer to go to Canada. Fewer men? A better neighborhood? It all sounded appealing, but then Tawney's thoughts went to Rick.

Again her fingers touched the mustang.

He'd been keeping an eye on her all night, maintaining a "respectful" distance. He was doing everything right. She appreciated that he wanted to protect her. Maybe he felt like he owed her. There was so much more to him now. The ambitious teenage boy was gone and in his place was a serious, troubled man. Serious on so many levels.

Tawney worked the rest of her shift. Rick was waiting for her when she was ready to start for home. She didn't bother to fight the escort. Her nerves were too raw. And as much as she hated to admit it, he made her feel safe.

"Let's go," he said.

She followed him out, shoving her hands deep into the pockets of her jacket. They walked home at a brisk clip. She didn't feel the need to make small talk.

At her door, he waited while she opened the lock.

"Good night," she said.

He nodded. "Good night."

She heard the longing in his voice, longing she couldn't answer yet. Her feelings for him were so mixed up. If she kissed him now, she'd be unable to stop.

"See you tomorrow." She slipped inside, closing, then locking the door to her cottage and the door to her heart.

*    *    *

Rick had no idea what Destiny had said to Tawney about him, but Tawney seemed cooler to him, more thoughtful. He knew Destiny didn't like him and he didn't blame her. He did know that the best thing he could do for Tawney would be to get his own life in order before he pursued her.

And he did intend to pursue her.

Tawney O'Hara was worth fighting for, that much he knew.

But for now he was content to let things simmer between them while he sorted out the night Angie had died.

Earlier he'd called Phil, leaving his ex-partner a message to call him back. So far, no return call. It wasn't like Phil to ignore a call from Rick. His uneasiness over that night rose.

Something wasn't right, but what?

As he got ready for bed, he replayed what little he could remember over and over in his mind. Rick and Phil had been working undercover for two months, trying to score information on a big heroin drop. Angie had hooked them up with Tony Malone. Tony didn't trust easily, and they'd had to play along with Tony, proving to the dealer that they were the real deal. They'd made several small buys, but Angie had given them information that there was a major shipment coming in, so they'd bided their time, waiting. At last, Angie had supplied the date and place.

But they'd never made it that far.

Instead, Rick had received Angie's call. Man, he wished her words had been in the form of a recorded message or text message. Everything had happened so fast that night. What had she said exactly? Rick willed his mind to clear. He grabbed a pad of paper and a pencil, writing down what he could remember.

"I think Tony knows, Rick. I need you to come and get me. Something's wrong. Tony locked me in the office. He's shouting at someone. I'm scared."

Rick lifted his pencil, thinking.

There had been a scuffle, muffled sounds. Then,
"Hey—what? No. Let me go."

A crash. Angie had screamed.

He'd raced to the warehouse.

After arriving at the warehouse parking lot, Rick had fired off a text to Phil with his location. He'd been about to call his location into the precinct when he'd heard the gunshot. Drawing his weapon, he'd sprinted from the car, going inside without backup. Angie had been on the ground, the red stain of blood on her white shirt.

Not seeing anyone, Rick had started toward Angie. The next thing he remembered was waking up, tied to a chair. There had been voices. Yes. Someone else had been there with Tony, but who? Tony had fired rapid questions at Rick, wanting to know how much the cops knew about his operation. Tony had known Rick was an undercover agent. How? Had Angie told him? And who did the other voice belong to? Had that person still been in the room?

Rick had refused to answer Tony's questions, or been unable to answer, he wasn't sure. That's when Tony had used his gun to knock Rick's teeth out. After that, he'd lost consciousness.

Damn. His memories existed in a haze of pain and blank spaces. When he'd come to, Phil had been there. Had Phil been arguing with Tony? Rick closed his eyes, trying to remember the conversation between Phil and Tony, but the words wouldn't come. Had Phil been pleading for Rick's life? Probably.

Rick remembered the second gunshot, and the next thing he had known, Phil had been untying him, telling him everything was going to be okay.

Hell, he didn't even remember seeing Tony's body. It had taken everything he'd had to work through the pain in his own body.

Who had given Angie up? Was that person still out there, a danger to Rick and Phil? A hard ache settled in Rick's gut.

He needed to get his hands on the police report and see just what the heck Phil had said about that night.

He prayed that Phil would call, and that he could clear up Rick's questions. Yes, he was sure Phil could clear everything up.

Phil had saved his life. Rick owed him.

He'd wait for Phil to call, but in the meantime, he would place a call and get a copy of the police report.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tawney had just finished teaching a dance class at Karma Fitness when she spied Rick from the window.

Wow, she'd missed him. Her heart sped up. Her eyes followed him until he disappeared around the corner.

She hadn't seen him for a couple of days. She'd been lucky enough to have two days off at The Junebug. Working at Karma Fitness suited her fine. She loved teaching the classes, and loved working with Liv. But to her surprise, she missed working with Rick.

"Great class today," Liv said, glancing up from the stack of papers on her desk. "I've never had this many clients. They love you. You bring something new and fresh to Karma Fitness."

"Thanks," Tawney said. "I'm glad."

"Any chance you can take over the afternoon classes?" Liv asked her.

"Sure, you okay?"

Liv had seemed a little down today, her energy level much lower than usual.

Liv opened her desk drawer and popped a couple of antacids.

"Can't seem to shake this upset stomach. Not sure if it's heartburn, a virus, or just old age." She gave Tawney a weak smile.

"Why don't you go home and rest?" Tawney said. "I can take care of things here. I'm happy to do it."

Liv waved her hand. "I'm fine. If you can take over my classes, that will be enough. I can certainly sit here and do paperwork."

"If you're sure?" Tawney said.

"I am." Liv leaned back in the chair. "Your aura is glowing. Working here is good for you."

Tawney smiled. "I love working here."

"It shows."

People began coming in for Liv's dancercise class. Tawney taught two classes in a row, one advanced and one beginner. She'd been around long enough now to learn all the routines. At three p.m. she got a break.

"I think I'll run over to The Junebug and pick up a salad. Do you want anything?" she asked Liv.

Liv took her glasses off and set them on the desk. "I honestly don't think I can eat."

"You need to go home."

Liv's eyes looked worried, tired. "Maybe you're right." She used her hands to brace herself and stood.

Tawney didn't like the ashen color of her skin. "I'm driving you to the doctor."

"No, someone needs to be here to teach the remaining classes."

"Liv, you are more important than Karma Fitness," Tawney told her. "I'm going to run home and get my car."

"No." Liv grabbed at her chest. "Something's wrong." She sat. "I think I'm having a heart attack."

*    *    *

Rick was about to pay his lunch tab at Finnegan's when he heard the sirens. From his place at the counter, he saw the aid car pull up in front of Karma Fitness. He knew it was Tawney's day to work, yet she wasn't his first thought. A lot of senior citizens took Liv's classes. Most likely one of them had fallen ill. Still…

Rick tossed a ten on the counter. "Here you go," he said to Meg, the waitress. "I'm going to head over there and see what's going on."

He crossed the street then bounded up the stairs into the dance studio. Tawney spotted him, meeting him halfway.