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Authors: Ingrid Monique

BOOK: This Time

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Allan looked at him, concerned. “Wha' can I do?”

“Keep yu' eyes and ears open.”

“So why yu' leavin' the party?”

“Did yu' see the way he was lookin' at Kelee?”

“I understand.”

“Tell her I'll call.” Sean really didn't want to leave but he had to.

“No problem.”

“Thanks; later.” Sean walked off towards his car. He got on his cell phone, informing the coast guard to be extra vigilant tonight. He slammed his hand against the steering wheel in anger. He had lost three men in the pursuit already. He knew how ruthless Mike's people could be. He didn't want anyone close to him to be a target. He thought of Kelee. He really didn't want to leave her tonight. While his intention was to seduce her tonight, he also couldn't put her in harm's way. He didn't want her becoming a target.

Chapter 4

Kelee browsed through the rack of baby clothes. There were so many things to choose from, she didn't even know where to start. She had left Lori in the doctor's office next door, where she was getting a checkup. The nurse had told her the exam would take awhile, so she decided to browse in the store while she waited.

“Nice choice,” Sean's voice echoed behind her.

“Yu' think so?” she asked, turning to glare at him. She was still mad at him for disappearing the way he did last night.

“Yes,” he said in his sexy confident voice as his eyes smiled down at her.

“I hope yu' not stalking me?”

He looked her over, lust lurking in his beautiful eyes. Kelee was wearing a short khaki skirt and a halter. She got warm under his open, alluring gaze. It amazed her how he could look at her with such open lust. Not that she minded. She rather liked itâcoming from him, of course.

“That's a pleasant thought,” he said in a sultry tone that caused her breasts to tingle. She let out a slight breath; he was goodâmaybe too good; this could make him dangerous.

“I shouldn't even be talking to yu', especially with the way yu' left last night.” She tried to sound serious, but it was difficult with him looking at her like that.

“I know, an' I'm grateful.” He sounded sincere enough.

“Care to tell me about it?”

“Security reasons,” he responded calmly.

“And?” She wanted a better answer.

“Join me for lunch?”

So she wasn't going to get an answer to her question. “Sorry, I'm waiting for Lori,” she threw at him coldly.

“The restaurant is just across the street, we can talk there,” he pleaded. “We can leave a message for Lori to join us when she's done with her checkup.”

Kelee looked at him, surprised. “How did yu' know she was gettin' a checkup?”

“My cousin is her doctor.” He smiled.

She looked into his very familiar, smiling eyes, and got that feeling of knowing him again.

“I don't think I want to have lunch with yu',” she said, unable to hide her smile.

“With that smile I beg to differ,” he said with a confident smirk. He gently touched her cheek, looking her deeply in the eyes, and said, “Please?”

“I guess I could shop later,” Kelee gave in. She was mad at him for leaving the way he did at the party, but she also couldn't deny the fact that she was happy to see him.

“Good.” He took her hand, leading her from the store.

Moments later they were seated in the cool bright interior of the Chinese/Caribbean restaurant, which was almost packed with the noon crowd. A beautiful mocha-skinned waitress took their order. Kelee ordered the coconut shrimp over lo mein. Sean ordered the seafood combination served over white rice. Bob Marley music played in the background, creating a mellow mood.

“What exactly do yu' do?” Kelee asked, taking a sip of her fresh pineapple juice.

“The core of my work goes into keepin' drugs from gettin' on and off de' island.”

“Sounds dangerous.”

“It can be,” he admitted.

“And yu' like risking yu' life like that?”

“I have to protect the welfare of my people.” He studied her. “Yu' don't approve?”

“Someone has to protect the island, right?” She shrugged. She was starting to like him, but the idea of him being a cop weighed heavily on her.

“Yu' don't like cops?” he asked.

Memories of her ex-boyfriend, who was a New York City cop, pulling his gun on her when he thought she was cheating flashed before her eyes. If it hadn't been for her roommate knocking him unconscious he probably would have shot her. He was arrested for reckless endangerment and kicked off the force. When he had found out she hadn't been cheating on him, he had tried his best to win her back. That night would remain with her forever.

“Wha' is it?” Sean asked, touching her hand. Kelee jumped. He looked at her, concerned. “Yu' OK?”

“Yeah, I'm fine.” She pushed her memories aside. It was behind her, yet the horror of what had almost happened to her was still with her.

“Wha' did he do to yu'?” Sean asked.

“What?” Kelee was surprised he had read her so accurately.

“The cop who put that fear in yu' eyes?” Sean's eyes searched hers.

“How could yu' tell that?”

“The way yu' reacted just now.”

Kelee looked into Sean's familiar eyes. What was it about him that pulled at her so? She got lost in his eyes, wondering if she could trust him. His eyes told her she could. Her heart told her to be careful.

“He thought I was cheating on him. He probably would have killed me if my roommate hadn't knocked him out.”

“Jesus.”

“That's why I don't care for cops,” she told him.

“I guess I don't look too good to yu' right now?” Sean gave her a reassuring smile.

“I really try not to be too judgmental, but yu' can understand my hesitation, can't yu'?”

“I do, but I 'tink there's som'ting between us that's worth explorin', don't yu'?” He smiled.

“Have yu' ever pulled yu' gun on a woman?” Kelee watched as his smile vanished.

“Not one that I've dated.”

Kelee looked at him wanting to believe him. A part of her remained skeptical.

“I've never even raised my hand at a woman,” he continued. “I've seen too many battered women in my line of work. No way in hell I'd add to that.”

Kelee believed him; she didn't know why, but she did. She relaxed and enjoyed the rest of her lunch with him. Lori joined them just as they were about to order dessert. She dropped into the chair, breathing hard.

“I'm so hungry.” She reached for a breadstick.

The waitress came over and handed Lori a menu. Kelee and Sean watched amused as Lori order the largest serving of shrimp lo mein on the menu with egg rolls and fruit punch.

“Wha' yu' two smilin' at? I'm eatin' for two now.”

“That's just an excuse,” Sean teased. Kelee nodded in agreement. Lori rolled her eyes at them.

“Hush up!” Lori demanded, hiding a smile.

A low beep went off and Sean reached for his phone on his hip.

“Excuse me, ladies,” he told them before he answered his phone. “Speak . . .” he said into his phone. Suddenly his face took on a serious expression. “Give me ten minutes,” he said and switched off his phone. “I have to go.” Kelee looked at him, disappointed. He was running off again. He smiled and winked at her; it caused Kelee to smile despite her disappointment.

“I'm cookin' tomorrow an' I want yu' over for dinner at five,” Lori told Sean as he stood up to leave.

“Make it six an' I'll be there.” Sean dropped a kiss on Lori's cheek. “I got the bill.” He smiled at Kelee. “See yu' tomorrow.” He squeezed her hand before leaving.

“How was the checkup?” Kelee asked Lori after watching Sean leave.

“Probing. I see yu' two gettin' along.”

“How long have yu' known him?”

“About eight years,” Lori responded.

“How come I didn't meet him the last time I was here?”

“I think he was trainin' in the States then,” Lori said. The waitress brought her the egg rolls and sauce. Lori thanked her and bit into an egg roll.

“So yu' like him?” Lori asked with her mouth full.

“He's OK.” Kelee shrugged.

“But he's a cop, right?” Lori swallowed and looked at her for an answer. “Sean's one of the few decent ones out there.”

“Does he have any kids?”

“Why?”

“I just want to know.”

“No; none that I know of,” Lori added, starting on another egg roll. Kelee smiled at her sister as she watched her attack her food.

“Slow down, yu' might choke,” Kelee warned.

“Tell that to this baby,” Lori mumbled, finishing off another egg roll.

Sean drove like a madman to the location Jack had given him. His heart raced with anxiety over his missing men. He whipped past overloaded mini-buses, cars, and bikes on the expressway, his siren blasting. Ten minutes later he turned off the main road and down a narrow stone path with thorn shrubs on both sides. He came to the end of the road where a small dilapidated shack sat just off the old dock. It was an isolated area where a small boat could dock. Sean saw Jack's Land Rover as he pulled up. Jack got out of his jeep as he approached.

“Any'ting yet?” he asked.

“No'ting.”

“Ra'ass,” Sean cursed. He had two of his best investigators, Adams and Penn, stationed out here. They hadn't heard from them in four hours. There wasn't any vehicle in sight, which worried him. Something wasn't right; he could feel it resonating in his bones. He couldn't afford to lose another man. “OK, take the back, I got the front. Be careful.”

Jack nodded with a knowing grin. Sean knew Jack. He would shoot first and ask questions later. Simultaneously they pulled their guns and approached the shack with caution. Sean approached the front door with care. He knew there was only one window and it was in the back. Jack had that covered. Sean stepped carefully, taking care not to make any noise. He carefully tried the doorknob. It was locked. He stepped back, took a breath, and kicked the door in. Quickly he stepped aside in case whoever was inside started firing. Nothing. He listened for a few minutes; nothing. He entered with caution, gun ready. The smell of urine and stale liquor hit him like a rock. Quickly he scanned the room. It was empty. He was relieved but concerned. Where were his men?

“Clear,” he called out. Moments later Jack joined him inside the shack. They looked around the room for any evidence. All that was in the room was a dirty mattress and a three-legged chair turned over in the corner.

“If no one's here, why was the door locked?” Sean scanned the room more closely. He saw nothing.

“Some'ting not right. Where the hell are Adams an' Penn?” Jack said, worried.

“Try the mobile?” Sean said, holstering his gun. Jack pulled out his phone and dialed. A few seconds later, they heard a muffled ring. Instantly they looked to the mattress. The muffled ring came again from under the mattress. Sean approached it and flipped it, in one quick move. The phone was on the floor, ringing. Sean and Jack looked at each other, worried. They both knew this was not good. Jack ended the call.

“Let's do a two-mile search before I call in the search party,” Sean said. Jack nodded in agreement. They searched the area surrounding the cabin, and came up with nothing.

Back to the office, Sean called in a search party to comb the area and the waters off the docks.

“I should have known he was up to some'ting when I saw Hal at the party last night,” Sean said, contemplating the safety of his men.

“He's gettin' bolder every day,” Jack said and handed him a Guinness Stout. Sean took the cold drink and took a large gulp.

It was getting late and the search party hadn't found anything. He dreaded calling it off, but it was getting dark and he knew they wouldn't be able to find anything in the dark.

They knew that Mike and Hal were ruthless killers. Sean's biggest fear at the moment was that his men were dead. But he had to have faith that they were still alive. He prayed they would be, for their families' sake.

“Want me to call the families?” Jack asked. Sean didn't want them worried over nothing when he had no evidence.

“No, not yet.”

Jack looked at him, concerned. “Wha' next?”

“We need to find his informant,” Sean said.

“I know someone who might be able to help. But he's not cheap.”

“How much we talkin'?”

“Let me look into it.”

“Do it.” Sean rubbed his temples; he felt a headache coming on. He needed to sleep.