Promises After Dark (After Dark #3) (20 page)

12
Party On

The blinds were drawn so they could try to get some sleep despite the daytime hour. However, Jillian had slept most of the night on the road and didn’t hold the same interest in a nap as Angel, Cole, and Becca. The adults were tired, and she was on full-throttle.

There was a desk along the wall in the sitting room to the right of the sofa bed Cole had pulled out and camped on. He had ESPN on the television, and Becca sat at the desk helping Jillian color a picture in her Little Mermaid coloring book.

Angel was more than wiped out since she hadn’t been sleeping well since Alex left. She’d showered, hoping the hot water would work some of the kinks out of her neck and shoulders. She needed a workout, but it was out of the question because Cole insisted they all remain in the suite together. He couldn’t let Angel go without him, and he couldn’t leave Becca and Jillian alone in the room. Angel understood, but she was restless and wanted to defuse some of the pent-up energy.

What little luggage they had was still in the back of the rented vehicle, and Cole had brought in the one bag Becca had packed most of Jillian’s things in, so Angel was left to put on the same clothes she’d worn all night. She couldn’t quite convince herself to reuse her panties, so they were now zippered into an inside pocket of her Coach purse, and she was going commando. No doubt, Alex would approve if he were in any kind of close proximity.
If he were aware of it, period,
Angel mused. A sad smile settled on her face as she looked in the mirror above the single sink in the bedroom part of the suite, towel drying her long hair. She sighed deeply at the turn of events.

Since she and Alex met, this was the longest they’d gone without being in touch. She longed to be in his arms, held close to him, but she missed just talking to him; his sexy teasing and the snarky banter they engaged in had become a big part of her world. Alex had, in a short time, become the center of her universe. How amazing it was that such utter happiness could turn to constant worry. That was the worst part of loving someone, and for the first time since forever, she questioned her career choice. It was one thing to put oneself in danger to follow your convictions and completely another to risk those you cared about.

She hated Mark Swanson for turning her world upside down. Fucking hated him.

After she’d combed through her damp hair and decided against blowing it dry, Angel wandered into the other room and crawled onto the open sofa sleeper with Cole. He was staring at the TV, the remote firmly within his grasp, his phone perched on his stomach lying in wait.

“Have you heard from anyone?” she asked.

“Not yet.”

“Mmm… What time will we leave?”

“Maybe nine? You should try to sleep.”

“I can’t sleep, and you’re one to talk.”

“I know, but I can sleep when we get to Joplin.”

“I can ask Will and Uncle Ben if we can spend part of the time at their place. They have a small farm on the outskirts of town, and it will be fun for Jillian.”

“Remote is fine if they and your father are there as well. And they’re armed.”

“What the hell? This is bullshit!” Angel’s frustration burst through her words. “Everyone’s life is turned upside down because of this one asshole.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Cole muttered. “Alex is holing up at Mr. and Mrs. James’ and setting up all this fake shit, which, my gut says will be for nothing.”

Angel turned on her side toward Cole so she could continue in softer tone. “If he doesn’t kill anyone else, it won’t be for nothing.”

“Yes. But Alex is hoping he’ll make a move so the police can catch him.”

Angel’s heart tightened. So Alex would be right in the middle of it.

“Why does Alex need to be there?”

“He doesn’t have to be. He’s Alex, Angel. He orchestrated this stakeout. Do you really expect him to wait around off-site?”

Angel knew Cole was right. “No. How can you stand all of this waiting?”

He changed the channel and glanced over at her. “I’m used to it. It’s my job.”

“You’re good at it.”

“Mama, is it time to go to my birfday party yet?” Jillian put down her crayon and looked up at her mother expectantly. Becca hugged Jillian and let out a big sigh. Angel’s heart fell. It was so unfair to Jillian. “Will we have cake, and clowns, and games?”

“Honey, you know how we’re on this trip?” When Jillian nodded, Becca’s sad eyes met Angel’s over the toddler’s head. “We might have to go to your party on another day.”

Jillian’s face fell and crumpled as she started to cry. “But it’s today!” she wailed loudly. Becca gathered her up in her arms, but Jillian struggled. “I’m tree today!”

“Ugh,” Cole groaned. “Poor little squirt.”

Angel nodded.

“I know you’re three today. I’m sorry, baby. Angel had something important to do, and she really needed our help. We can’t go to the party today.”

Jillian cried harder and harder, the tears rolling down her face as she wailed loudly. Angel’s heart broke for the little girl. At barely three years old, all she knew was something she’d looked forward to wasn’t going to happen, and it wasn’t fair. Angel doubted anything would console her, but she’d do her best.

She got up and went to kneel in front of Jillian, who was still on Becca’s lap.

“Honey, we’ll still have your party, I promise. Zander was so disappointed to miss it, and he didn’t have time to shop for your present. Since he couldn’t come today, we thought we’d have a little adventure. When he gets back from his big business trip, we’ll have an even bigger party, I promise. Would that be okay?” Angel coaxed gently. She reached out and ran a comforting hand through the toddler’s blonde curls.

The little girl sniffed and looked at Angel, her chin still trembling and big crocodile tears tumbling down her cheeks. Jillian nodded weakly and went into Angel’s arms when she held them out. “Why don’t we get the presents I have for you, and you can open them today, okay? Maybe we can get some cupcakes, and we can play some games with you, sweetheart.” Angel kissed her temple. “I love you so much, Bean. I’ll make it up to you. I promise. We’re going to have a great time on this trip. And when we get where we’re going, I’m going to take you horseback riding. One of my daddy’s friends has horses, and I’ll take you there. Won’t that be fun?”

Cole watched Angel try to comfort the little girl. There were so many sides to her, and it was easy to see why she’d gotten to Alex. Becca, to give her credit, had dealt with the situation like a trooper. She could have pissed and moaned, complaining about her plans being ruined and refuse to cooperate with what Angel needed. Instead, she was understanding and supportive. The two of them were like sisters, and a strong support system for each other. From what he could tell, Becca’s baby daddy left her high and dry with the kid to raise alone. It was clear the threesome was tight. He was curious about Becca and how she and Angel came to be so close.

“Can I pet them and give them kisses?”

Angel smiled brightly. “Of course! We’ll feed them, too! They love apples and carrots, but their favorite of all is pears.”

“I yike pears, too.” Jillian began to liven up, and Becca looked relieved.

“So do I.” Angel looked up at Cole hopefully. “Can we get her gifts out of the car? Please?”

“Uh…”

“And some cupcakes and candles?”

“Angel, getting the gifts from the car is doable, but going to the store—”

“I can lock the door behind you, and you can make up some dumb secret knock,” she said wryly. Her eyebrow shot up, and she pursed her lips. “Okay?” She had a sparkle in her eye that reminded him of the real Angel who faced things head-on, not the resigned one who packed up her shit and hauled ass to avoid a bad situation. When he stopped to consider it, it was more like Angel to stand up.

“I can go with you, and we can pick up some food, too,” Becca said. “Angel, can you give Jillian a bath and get her into some clean pajamas in the meantime?”

Cole looked uneasy. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea to leave Angel here alone.”

“The door will be locked, Cole, and you have a key. I won’t open it for anyone.”

Her response settled him, and he finally agreed. After putting on his worn white sneakers and grabbing his coat, he pulled his keys out of his pocket.

“Need any money?” Angel asked, secretly pleased that Becca was going with Cole. The last guy she dated was a loser, and nothing would please her more than a spark igniting between those two. She’d already seen interest on both sides. This was good.

“Nah, I got it. Ready?” Cole asked Becca. She was already putting on her jacket and shoes.

Angel scooted Jillian off toward the bathroom.

“Hey, Becs?” Angel called and motioned for her to follow.

“Yeah?”

“Can you bring my bag in? I need panties.”

“Yeah, no problem.” She turned and followed Cole out. “Do the safety thing. Whatever the hell you call it.”

“Anga!” Jillian bellowed. Angel was amazed how resilient children were. After crying her eyes out mere minutes ago, the little one was laughing and happy at the prospect of her bath. “C’mon!”

“Coming!” Angel called. “See you two in a bit.”

By the time Angel had the bath water adjusted and running, Jillian had her clothes off and in a pile on the floor in front of the tub. The hotel provided toiletries, and thankfully, there was one more bottle of the shampoo and conditioner on the counter next to the sink. Angel grabbed two of them and picked up Jillian to put her into the tub.

“Bubbles! Bubbles!” Jillian demanded, and Angel proceeded to dump half of the shampoo under the water streaming into the tub. She swooshed it around in the water to make it bubble more. and Jillian squealed. “More!”

“We have to save a little to wash your hair, Bean.”

The phone in the other room started playing the Nickleback song that signaled a call from Alex. Angel hopped up anxiously to get it. Her purse was thrown on the bed, only a few feet away. The water had only filled a couple of inches, and Angel had returned to the bathroom to keep an eye on Jillian before she answered.

“Hello?”

“Hey, babe. It’s good to hear your voice.” His voice was weary.

“Yeah, I’ve been going crazy.” She sat down next to the tub so she could keep a close eye on Jillian. “You sound tired.”

“I’m okay. Did I catch you in the bathtub?” His voice held a teasing lilt despite his exhaustion.

Angel smiled and reached her free hand into the tub to hand Jillian a washcloth. “Nope, but Jillybean is!”

“Aw, you’re on baby duty.”

“Mmm. Bean is being a very big girl about rescheduling her party. I told her you wanted to be there.” Angel said it so that Jillian could understand it was Alex on the phone.

“Iz dat Zander?” she asked, her little voice, though echoing in the small ceramic-clad room, was muted due to the rushing water. Angel decided it was full enough and shut it off.

“Yes, honey.” She nodded. There were a couple of plastic cups on the counter near the mirror, and Angel took one and unwrapped it so Jillian could play with it in the bathtub. The little girl busied herself filling it and dumping it over herself then the sides of the tub.

“Sorry about that,” Angel said, settling in so she could keep an eye on Jillian and still speak to Alex. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m holed up at the James’ with the cops and Sid’s team. I’m suspicious of everyone and trying to figure out which of them informs that prick what we’re doing.”

Angel leaned one shoulder on the tub. “I know. I bet you wish you’d never made that call into the radio station. Everything is so fu—um, messed up.” She caught her word choice given the child within hearing.

“Yes, but no. This is a pain in my ass, and I am not happy about any of it, but I am glad I made that call.”

“I really miss you.”

“That’s cuz I’m so lovable.” The smile in his voice radiated through the phone.

She laughed. “Yeah, okay. You’re a lot of things, but lovable? Are you Fozzie Bear, now?” At the name of the Sesame Street character, Jillian looked up at Angel, dropping the cup then picking it up again to resume the endless cycle of filling and dumping it out.

“He died, I think.” Alex joked. “I think I heard Miss Piggy fucked him to death.”

“What a way to die.”

“Yes. You can try to kill me when you see me next.” They both laughed softly, and Angel’s heart leapt.

“Surprised you’re still breathing, as it is,” Angel shot back dryly, followed by another giggle.

“We spend so much time on the phone, we may have to resort to phone sex,” Alex teased. “Or Skype. That would be even better.”

“Mmmmm.” Her eyes widened and she smiled. “That would be great, except I’m far from alone here.”

“I know, but it’s a nice thought.” He huffed out a small laugh.

“I wish.” As much as Angel wanted to joke and tease with him, the seriousness of the situation intruded. “Can you tell me the plan? Cole told me only bits and pieces.”

“I’ll stay here and hope something happens. There hasn’t been any contact at all, so we’re expecting something to happen soon. It goes without saying that the money doesn’t move.” It was hard trying to explain what was going on so Angel would know what was happening but not give details that might foil the plan.

“Alex, I have some money saved…” she began.

“You don’t have ten million.” His voice took on an impatient tone that she would even suggest it. “Even if you did, I wouldn’t let you give him ten cents, Angel. I’m not paying that fucker for hurting people. I’m done dicking around with this.”

“What does that mean?”

“If we pay him off once, it will never end, and we’re not going to live like that.” His voice was low and determined. “I have an idea where to take this, so it stops now.”

“Did they track the tower the call came from?”

“Yeah. Ken requested that, but the call originated in Chicago, so it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. But don’t worry; I’ve got this, babe. You have to trust me.”

“Then how do you know anything? What’s next?”

“It’s a trade secret.”

“Ugh! Really?” She groaned and soaped up the cloth to begin washing Jillian’s arms and hands, then her legs, feet, and back. Alex could hear the water sloshing over the phone. He laughed at her predicament.