Seducing Fortune (A Serendipity Novel Book 3) (17 page)

“
D
ang
, girl. Who’s the lucky guy?” Jenny pulls on her long wool coat. “You should’ve said something. I could’ve asked someone else to watch Reed. Maybe Gabby. And I can’t believe you’re going out that late.”

She admires my skinny jeans and black button down shirt over a satiny tank. The twinkle in her eyes tells me I fussed a little too much.

I purse my lips. “No way. I love being with my baby boy.” I bounce Reed with one hand as I reach out and pull Jenny’s hair from the collar of her coat.

Reed gnaws two slobbery fingers and uses his other hand to grab my hair. “Ow, you little fiend,” I say and grab his wet hand. I kiss it repeatedly until he is distracted and releases my hair.

He gurgles, flashing tiny white teeth at me, then proceeds to gnaw on my hand.

“When will he stop cutting molars?” I ask. “He’s got a bite like a wolverine.”

“Soon, I hope.” She winds a scarf around her neck. “Bailey should be home before I am.”

“He was right to tell you to quit. What’s stopping you?”

Jenny gives me a threatening look. “Not you too. I’m only working the nights when he works his bouncer gig at Earl’s. Bailey won’t be in college forever. But right now, it’s extra money. Babies aren’t cheap.”

I give her the parent look I usually give Gabby. “Bailey says you’re being a giant pain-in-the—”

“No cursing.” She places her face at eye level to the baby. “Right, Reed? Tell Emerson to leave Mommy alone and that you need time with her,” she says in baby talk while giving me a side-eye. She stands and grabs her purse.

“Be careful,” I say. “Make Bailey walk you to and from the parking lot.”

“You know it. Be good, you two. Get lots of cuddling in.”

“Will do.” I chain the door behind her. The rattle of something against the wall causes me to press the baby closer to my bosom. The sounds of voices next door bleed through the wall and I bounce Reed while I pace the small living room.

I’m silly for jumping at every strange sound. Although Jenny’s apartment is across the way from mine in Building B, I circled the area several times in my car before parking in the next lot. I was certain no one followed me.

“Listen up, Dylan,” I say to Reed for practice purposes. Reed’s eyes round while he shoves a fist against his gums. “I can’t relax and enjoy being with you until I finish this semester of classes. So, we can have tonight and then take a break until I can be ready. If you can wait for me that long, then I’ll know you are serious.”

Reed pats my chest. “Mamamamama.”

“Mommy went to work.” I rub my nose against his. “What if I tell Dylan I need to work out some family issues and when I have my head clear, then he and I can... That’s a bogus excuse if I ever heard one. How about the truth? I’m dealing with some residual fallout from my dad’s illegal activities and maybe he could just back off and not be all macho until I can resolve it. We can enjoy each other tonight and then if he could just wait for me to get my life together... I have to cancel tonight. That’s what I’ll do. Thank you, Reed. You are so smart. I am not ready with a plan. Stupid, stupid Emerson.”

Reed blinks heavily and places his cheek on my breastbone.

After a while, I lay him on the sofa so I can relax and thumb through a fashion magazine while he sleeps. He’s a good baby and happy as long as I stay beside him. Not that I’d be going far.

Reed’s hair swirls into a curl at the top of his head and I stroke the wayward strand. My cell pings with a text and I struggle to grab it from the coffee table before the baby wakes.

Toby: Hi Emerson. We need to talk.

Oh, Toby. I really like you. I do. But I have bigger issues than my stats class or your internship.

Me: I’m babysitting right now. What’s up?

Ping.
The reply text appears on-screen.

Toby: I know. Open the door when I get there.

Well, that statement’s a little too bossy for me. I shake my head and chalk it up to the trouble with texting. Most everything sounds rude and abrupt.

Me: Can’t. Not at home.

Ping.

Toby: I know.

I suck in a breath and my heart punches against my breastbone. I read the text a second time. My hand moves in slow motion as I text my reply.

Me: I am not at my apartment.

A chill skates up my spine. Toby hasn’t been to my apartment. He doesn’t even know where I live. How does he know I’m not at home?

I bend and take more deep breaths, glance over at Reed who sucks two pudgy fingers into his mouth, and press my hands against my forehead. I’m overreacting and paranoid.

The cell pings with a reply. I switch off the sound on my phone.

Toby: You are babysitting. I know. I’m climbing the stairs and you should open the door if you want everyone to stay safe.

I study the display and steady my hand against my thigh. Reed murmurs in his sleep and I hold my breath.

There’s a second when my mind flits to the one thought I rarely have: people get crazy under pressure. Is this the kind of feeling my mother had before she drove Gabby and herself into the lake?

Unraveled.

Hopeless.

Alone.

I grind my teeth together to avoid actually rolling around on the floor like a total lunatic. No. I am not my mother. I am a strong and confident woman. A woman who thought this misfortune currently entitled ‘life’ could only allow so much suckage.

Toby: I’m at the door. Open it.

Me: You won’t hurt the baby. Right?

Toby: Are you nuts? Open the damn door. I’m not hurting anyone. But someone out here might take a shot at me if you don’t hurry.

I frown at the display, my mind attempting to work through this last statement. A swift knock at the door forces me to jump to my feet. When I open the door, Toby slips inside. We stare at each other for several seconds, both of us breathing hard.

Reed’s cry grabs my heart and I instinctively turn and go pick him up from the sofa. “Talk. Now,” I say with my anger bubbling at the surface. Reed mouths my shoulder as I pat his bottom.

“It’s okay, baby. I’m here. It’s okay.” My panting slows during my coos to Reed. “Sweet boy. I’m here. Don’t cry.”

I bounce him while I pace back and forth the ten steps each direction. He continues to wail.

“I’m waiting,” I say, my fear coming out as anger even though I’m a terrified mess.

“I’m not who you think I am.”

“No shit. Is that the best you’ve got?”

He backs up a step. “I’m not one of the bad guys. I would never hurt you. Or the kid.”

I huff a cynical laugh. “Are you kidding? Have you been watching me?”

“Well, yes—”

“And is your name really Toby?”

“No, but—”

“Let me guess. You’re not an engineering student.” I kiss Reed’s head. “Baby, it’s okay. I’ve got you.” Reed begins screaming in earnest, sucking in gulps of air.

“I’m trying to make sure you don’t get yourself killed.” He’s quiet for a beat and points at Reed. “Why’s he crying? Does he need a bottle or something?”

“Probably needs a new diaper.” I stare hard at him. My anger and fear begins to fade to the point where rational thought seems possible. “Follow me.”

I lead the way to the nursery. “I’ll change the diaper. You explain in microscopic detail what the hell you’re doing stalking me.”

“I’m not stalking.” He hesitates a step and leans in the doorway of the nursery. The room is tiny and we’re only a couple of feet apart. I place Reed on the changing table cushion of the dresser and remove his diaper.

“Oh, stinky,” I say and glare at Toby as if he’s the one who’s filled a diaper.

“I’m with a branch of the FBI that deals with cybercrime.”

“No way.” My mouth drops.

“I have a badge. I guess if you need to see it…”

“And that’s supposed to make spying on me all right. Lying to me. I have rights as a citizen. I think I could report you for something. I don’t know. I mean...” I take out a wet wipe and clean Reed’s bottom. Why does every man in my life think it’s okay to lie to me?

I toss the wipe to the trash, missing by an inch. “I have done nothing illegal. Nothing more than stealing cable once and Gabby’s boyfriend did that without my permission.”

I glance over at Toby in time to see the grin he quickly hides.

“Right,” he says, nodding quickly. “You’re in the middle of an investigation that’s been going on for years.”

“And you don’t work at Folks’.”

“Um...no. But I did major in engineering before I went to work for the FBI.”

“Holy hell. You could be an actor. I have to say you had me fooled.”

“I hope so since this is my job. You’ve been a real tough assignment. I was supposed to infiltrate my way into your life as your boyfriend. I’ve done everything short of kidnapping you to stay close. What’s a guy gotta do to date you?”

I toss a look at him. “You have got to be kidding me.” Reed grabs for my hair. I finish sticking the diaper closures and lift him to my chest.

“Nope. I’m not.” He grins—that damned dimple, which is possibly the only real thing about him—sparks out at me. “I thought my charm would work, but you seem to be immune to me. Now, I have no choice but to force you to cooperate with the FBI.”

The baby kicks his legs, letting me know he’s ready to be picked up. I lift him into my arms and point a finger at Toby. “I am really tired. Tired of the drama and the lies and the threats,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Hey, calm down. You are holding an innocent child... Sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound that way.”

“You are not forgiven. Why am I being investigated?”

“Rafa Harvey has been watching your every move. One of his men broke into your apartment. Now he’s contacted you.”

I clutch Reed to my chest and bury my face in the crook of his neck. This has to be a bad dream.

“We’ve tapped your phone. We know you’ve spoken to him.”

Reed reaches for Toby, chubby hands stretched toward him, but I take a step back. “The man who’s threatening me?”

“It’s Rafa.”

I nod like a mechanical toy. “And he wants something the FBI doesn’t want me to give.”

“Eavesdropper. It hijacks web-enabled industrial control systems in manufacturing—specifically to take over US military warehouses.”

“I don’t know if you people have considered that I’m not a superspy or computer hacker or government agent. I’m just a college student trying to make it on low wages and hard work.”

“We’ve figured that out.”

“Oh. Good.” I shake my head. “You guys are government intelligence. Bet that was a tough one.” I stand at the doorway until he moves aside. Reed makes a momentary grab for Toby and I walk faster to the living area. A squeaky toy
blurbs
when I step on it.

Toby follows me and I hear the toy again. He’s picked up the Martian toy and is examining it. “We’ve had a guy monitoring you and Gabby. How well do you trust Gabby?”

“I’d trust Gabby with my life.” I give him an irritated look.

“Yes, we heard that on the call.”

I sit on the sofa and put Reed on my lap. I bounce him on my knee. “My dad and I aren’t on good terms. I haven’t spoken to him since he went to prison. Even before then. This isn’t going to be some daddy-daughter dance when I show up asking for this favor.”

“You don’t think he’ll give it to you?” Toby wiggles the purple Martian toy in front of Reed. “Who is this?” he asks Reed. “Your pet?”

“Stop it,” I say, and grab the toy. The last thing I need is for Toby to be a likable liar.

“Hey, calm down. You’ll scare the baby.”

“I need the facts. This Rafa guy is going to hurt the people I love if I don’t figure out what to do.”

“Like Gabby.”

My heart pulls to a halt. I close my eyes. “Yes, like Gabby.”

“And this guy Dylan. Dylan Mercado.”

My eyes pop open. “Leave him out of this.”

“He’s in up to his flashy designer ties.” Toby pretends to grab Reed’s toes and is rewarded with a giggle.

“He has nothing—nothing—at all to do with this.” My palms grow clammy and my lips numb. Now would not be the time to pass out.

“What do you really know about him?”

I furrow my brow and slap Toby’s hand away from Reed’s feet. “A hell of a lot more than you people do.”

“How do you know he’s not in with Rafa?” Toby’s calm voice carries a hint of accusation.

“Don’t be stupid.”

“Did you know he’s in debt? That family business has been struggling for the last five years. Rafa’s been seen at his dealership. Ordered a high-priced car there.”

“It’s a business. So what if Rafa bought a car? It doesn’t mean anything.” I struggle to keep my voice as calm as Toby’s. I trust Dylan and know he wouldn’t do anything wrong. But he did have his attorney, Yvette, at his house for something. I hate Toby for the niggling seed of doubt he’s planted.

“The other guy you work for—Jordy. What do you know about him?”

“Quit. I’m not going to listen to anymore.”

“He’s a software guru. Like your dad was. A coder.”

I stand and turn the baby in my arms. “I need to feed Reed and give him a bath. Unless watching that falls under FBI surveillance, I suggest you head out.”

“Emerson, I need to ask you to cooperate with us.”

“Do I actually have a choice?”

He grimaces. “We need that code before he gets it. It was erased from his primary and backup servers. It belongs to the US government. If you’re smart, you understand that Rafa isn’t giving empty threats.”

“I never assumed they were empty.” I walk to the door and wait for Toby to join me.

“The only way you can protect yourself and Gabby is to have me around. I’ve tried to do this the easy way, but you aren’t taking the bait. Now we do this the hard way. I’m taking you to visit your father and you need to give whatever information he shares to the FBI—to me.”

My head threatens to implode. I close my eyes. “And if I do this it will be over? You guys will put this Rafa dude away?”

“Exactly.” He reaches out and lets Reed grab his finger. Toby’s gaze lifts to meet mine. “You probably don’t like me by now—”

“Probably. Definitely. I might even hate you right now.”