Treasure Tides (The Coins) (8 page)

“Got him,” Sean said. They had rigged a receptor module in the
parking garage close to Becki’s car, knowing that Trevor would bring
Becki back to pick up the little yellow thing sooner or later. The security
camera had shown them entering the garage, and Sean had been able to
remotely verify the DNA capture.

Sean had wisely kept any and all thoughts to himself, appearing to be
busy with very technical computer stuff, when the camera captured Becki
kissing Trevor. Sean had expected Royce to explode, but actually the
opposite occurred. Royce had observed the situation in deadly silence,
which in Sean’s opinion spoke volumes.

When Becki kissed Trevor for the second time, Sean had quickly
turned off the video feed from the garage.
Royce had not moved, as if
he were glued to the spot.

Sean concentrated on importing the DNA capture into his new
tracking program. He then created alerts, based on certain locations, and
radiuses surrounding Becki’s home and other previously identified points
of concern.

Finally Royce spoke, “I want to know where he lives, where he goes,
and with whom. I want to know if he gets within one mile of her.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Royce continued, “I want to know if he makes any phone calls; I want
to know if he sleeps with the lights on; I even want to know if he takes
cream in his coffee. In case I’m not being clear, if he takes a
piss
, I want to
know.”
Royce headed to the refrigerator. He needed a beer. He also needed to
get this coin business wrapped up.
They were getting closer; he had a
sixth sense about it.
Once this job was done, he would be giving serious consideration to a
desk job. Hell, he was already giving it semi-serious consideration.
There was going to have to be some serious sucking-up where Becki
was concerned. If she ever spoke to him again, it would be a miracle. He
drained the bottle of beer, and then patted his shirt pocket looking for
smokes again.
“Go buy me a pack of smokes.”
“No can do boss,” Sean responded without taking his eyes off the
computer screen.
“I’m your boss,” Royce reminded him.
“Yes,” Sean agreed, “but I’m more frightened of Joanna than I am of
you.”
“I understand; me, too. Forget it.”
Sean’s computer
beeped,
“Success,” he congratulated himself. “Ok, I’ve
already set your cell up with the tracking program. You can pin-point him
twenty-four-seven. I’ve set an alert for your phone and mine if he goes
near Kurt’s house, Becki’s house, or the Pub,” Sean said, pointing to a new
icon on Royce’s screen.
“Nice,” Royce said, checking it out.
“I thought so,” Sean said with a cocky attitude. That was the downside
to working with a brainiac. Humility rarely entered into the equation.
“What’s this one?” Royce asked, pointing to a new smiley-face icon.
“Oh, that’s Becki’s”
“She’s going to be pissed if she ever finds out.”
“Yes,” Sean acknowledged, mildly. Glancing at the time on his
phone, Sean said, “You need to go get ready. We only have an hour
before we have to be there.”
“Get ready for what? I’m not going anywhere. There are five more
of that six-pack with my name on it, and I’m about to order a thick,
greasy pizza to go with it,” Royce said, taking a seat on the couch and
propping his feet on the coffee table.
He absently tapped his shirt pocket looking for that nonexistent
cigarette again.
“Damn,” he muttered.
“Oh, believe me, you will want to go. I guarantee it,” Sean said with a
devious grin.
Royce did not trust that look one bit.
He knew to proceed with
caution.
“Ok, I’ll bite, where is it that I will want to go?” Royce asked.
Adopting a much too innocent look, Sean casually looked out the
living room window toward Charleston Harbor.
“Did I forget to mention that while Natie and I were having coffee,
she invited us to dinner? At her uncle’s house-- tonight.”
Royce’s feet hit the floor with a thud, “You’re shitting me, right? You
had better be real careful, Jones. Don’t jerk me around on this.”
Holding up his cell phone, Sean pointed smugly at the text from
Natie, the one she had sent giving them directions to get to Kurt’s house.
“No shit,” he affirmed. “The way I have it figured, 6:30 will make us
fashionably late. Another plus is the fact that if we get there late, you
can park behind Becki so she won’t
bolt
when she sees you.”
With a chuckle, Royce saluted Sean, acknowledging a job well done.
“Hurry up, kid. We have a couple of stops to make on the way.”
Royce whistled as he headed for the shower. It was the first glimpse
of the
old
Royce Sean had seen since Tara’s death. Sean had missed his
old friend.
Jumping off the counter, he headed toward a shower of his own,
lifting his fist in the air with a battle cry, “Let the games begin.”

She grabbed the grocery bag containing ice cream, chocolate syrup,
whipped cream, and nuts, slammed the car door, and headed for the
back yard where everyone had gathered.

As she walked through the gate, she heard the inevitable goading.
“Glad you could make it before we were finished this time,” Kurt
called. He was sitting in a lawn chair with his feet propped up on a fivegallon bucket, drinking
a
beer and monitoring dinner which was
currently boiling in a large stock pot over a propane burner.
“Wow, it’s still daylight and everything,” Landon felt compelled to
add.
“Natie, was she late to school every day, too?” Jonah chimed in,
though he already knew the answer to that one; he had been in her
morning English class.
“You can all kiss my ass,” Becki answered with a grin and kept right
on walking. “I need to get this in the freezer and say ‘hi’ to the girls. I’ll
be right back. Nat, pour me a drink, and make it a strong one I need it!”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Natie replied, turning away to hide a grin playing at her
lips.
If you only knew
, she thought, as she added a liberal shot of alcohol to
Becki’s glass.

“Hi girls,” Becki called to Clarissa, Leann, and Mandy. “What’s up?”
she asked her cousins as she deposited the bag on the counter.
“Playing on the computer,” Mandy, piped up immediately. She was
the youngest at 12 years old. Her Mamaw maintained that she had been
vaccinated with a victrola needle as a baby.
Leann once told her, in all seriousness, “Mandy, you do
love
to talk.”
To which Mandy nodded her head in agreement and replied,
“Ummhm, yes, I know.”
Becki had almost fallen off the couch laughing.
Leann, zoned into a
game she
was
playing, absently
answered,
“Humm… What? Did you say something?” Finally, immerging from
cyber fog, Leann noticed Becki standing in the kitchen.
“Oh, hi Becki,” she called and the next second returned her attention
to the game.
Everyone laughed while Leann had tuned everything out at will.
Clarissa, who was chatting on mobile Facebook, walked into the
kitchen, “Whatcadoin’?” she asked, thumbs flying over the buttons on
her cell phone. Clarissa could text faster than most people could type.
“I’m just putting dessert in the freezer. Is anything interesting going
on at school?” Becki asked.
“Nope, just the same old boring stuff. What’s for desert?” Clarissa
asked as her phone vibrated with a new message.
“Ice Cream,” Becki answered, knowing the girls loved ice cream as
much as she did. It was a genetic thing.
Looking at the new message on her phone, Clarissa exclaimed,
“oops… gotta go. Talk later!”
She scooted out of the kitchen and disappeared up the stairs in the
blink of an eye, as she headed toward the privacy of her bedroom.
“Ok, fine, don’t mind me,” Becki yelled up the steps. “I guess I’m
chopped liver,” Becki muttered to herself with a grin.

Royce and Sean drove into the cul-de-sac in Royce’s new red Corvette
3ZR. After spending two years trapped in a box at the bottom of the
ocean, he figured he deserved a little extravagance. His new baby would
go from zero to sixty in 3.4 seconds and rode like a dream. Sean had
been like a kid in a candy shop when they had walked into the dealership.

He parked carefully, blocking in Becki’s car as Sean had suggested.
Just in case.
Natie bounced out of the garage as they walked up the driveway.
Royce noticed that Sean seemed a little flushed, maybe even nervous.
“What’s up?” he asked Sean very quietly.
“Uh…nothing,” Sean answered, seemingly unable to take his eyes off
the petite blond headed their way.
“Ahhh,” Royce said, “
nothing
. I understand.”
“Hi guys,” Natie said as she approached them. “Nice wheels you’ve
got there.”
Sean seemed to have trouble swallowing at the moment. Royce sensed
it might have something to do with the blue-eyed blond standing before
them.
“Thanks,” Royce answered, “and thanks for the dinner invitation.” He
handed Natie the smaller of two bouquets he carried with him.
Burying her nose in the blooms, she peaked up through her lashes and
admitted, “Yea, about that-- Becki doesn’t exactly know you were invited.”
Royce smiled.
“Don’t you make me sorry I did this,” Natie warned, lifting her nose
from the fragrant blooms.
“You have nothing to worry about,” Royce assured. “I promise you.
Where is she?”
“She is in the house bugging the girls right now. Come on, I’ll get you
both a cool
beverage
and introduce you to everyone.”
As Natie escorted Sean and Royce into the garage, Kurt and Landon
immediately stood. Natie had explained that she had invited both men to
join them for dinner.
Kurt had spoken with Ryker Senior a few hours ago, and Ry had
assured him that Royce was one of the best team leaders in the history of
ART.
The fact that his father was the highly respected and highly
decorated Aaron St. John helped to smooth any remaining doubts Kurt
might have had. From what Ryker said, Royce was following very closely
in his father’s footsteps. Kurt had filled Landon in on the conversation
just before Natie and Jonah arrived.
“Welcome,” Kurt said as he extended his hand in greeting.
Royce quickly transferred the large bouquet of flowers to his left hand
and shook Kurt’s hand with a firm grip.
“I assume you talked with Ry?” Royce guessed.
“You bet. I look after what is mine,” Kurt said with a grin, and then
turned to shake Sean’s hand as well.
“Kurt Rodgers,” he introduced himself to the younger man, “and this
is my friend Landon Smith,” he continued nodding toward Landon who
was standing a few feet away. “Grab a beer, and make yourselves at
home.”
“Thank you, Sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir” Sean said as he shook
Kurt’s hand.
As Sean turned to greet Landon, his wrist meter began vibrating. He
stiffened immediately as he turned to face Royce with wide eyes.
Shit
! Kurt had forgotten about the hi-tech gadgetry ART had access
to. That damn watch had picked up on Landon’s secret. He smoothly
inserted himself between Sean and Landon fully aware that Natie and
Jonah were watching with avid curiosity.
Making direct eye-contact with Royce, Kurt said, “Landon has been
my best friend for more than twenty years. We have no secrets,” he
continued, “and he
protects
my family as if it were his own.”
Kurt had effectively addressed any concerns Royce and Sean might
have had while at the same time skillfully dancing around secrets that
needed to be kept.
“Understood,” Royce said extending his hand to Landon. “Royce St.
John, we met earlier today. Nice to see you again, Sir. Sorry about that,”
he said softly, nodding toward Sean who was currently resetting his
watch-gadget.
“No problem,” Landon said.
As he noticed the huge bouquet Royce was still clutching in his left
hand, Landon raised an eyebrow.
“Pissed her off, huh?” he guessed.
Royce released a heavy sigh of regret and confirmed Landon’s
suspicion, “Yes, Sir, in a big way.”
Natie danced over to Sean and handed him a beer.
“I love this song,” smiled Natie. “It’s a new local artist, and she is
just as beautiful as she is talented.”
“You’re beautiful,” Sean said quietly; too quietly to be heard above
the music filtering through the yard.
Unsure of
how to respond, Natie
sidestepped the issue
by
commenting, “What could Becki possibly be doing in there? I’m ready
to get this show on the road.”
Flashing Sean a conspiring look she called, “Royce, why don’t you go
let Becki know dinner is almost ready; if you go in through the back
door, she should be right there in the kitchen.”
Sean grinned, and said softly, “She is going to kill you.”
“Nah,” Natie said, and then tipped her head back to drain her glass,
“Becki’s bark is worse than her bite.”
Sean caught his breath when twin dimples broke out as Natie grinned
up at him.
#

Becki was seated on the couch between Mandy and Leann as they
played games on their respective laptops.
“Ohh, get that one, Mandy,” she suggested as she pointed to a funny
looking creature floating across the computer screen.
“Good job!” She cheered, as “Welcome To Level 10” flashed on
Mandy’s screen.
Becki gave the girls a hug before standing up to make her way to the
kitchen.
“I’m so pumped about Frogmore Stew tonight! I think I’ll whip up
some brownies to go with the ice cream.”
As she stretched to reach for the mixing bowl on the top shelf of the
pantry, the back door opened.
“I’ll be right there, Natie. I’m just goanna throw in some brownies
super quick. Believe me, I need a chocolate fix after the eff’ed up day
I’ve had,” she confided.
Suddenly a large body sandwiched her against the pantry shelves from
behind. An arm extended over her head to grasp the mixing bowl she
had been reaching for.
“Let me help you with that,” a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
Becki let out a bloodcurdling scream as she spun around to face
Royce.
Because of their height difference, her nose was buried in his chest,
and OMG did he smell good. Becki closed her eyes, and could not stop
herself from inhaling his masculine scent.
Never one to waste an opportunity, Royce dropped his lips to her ear
and began nibbling.
She gasped and pushed against him, successfully dislodging his lips,
but not his arms, which were currently wrapped around her waist.
“
Shit, Royce!
What are you doing here?” Becki sputtered.
“
Language!”
Leann reminded.
Becki rolled her eyes. Leann didn’t pay attention when you
wanted
her
attention but never failed to hear every word of something you
didn’t
want her to hear.
“Yes! Language,” Mandy piped up adding her two-cents.
“Sorry,” Becki apologized to the girls.
“What are you doing here?” she asked again, taking care to watch her
language and speak more softly this time.
“I needed to see you,” Royce answered honestly.
“Oh for God’s sake,” Becki responded angrily, rubbing one palm
over her forehead, “I’m so over this. Really, I’m not having this
conversation with you.”
“I needed to see you because--” Royce began.
“Suddenly you
need
to see me?” Becki interrupted with heavy sarcasm
and a rapidly paling face.
Fury settled over her and she began tossing his own words, his own
excuses, back in his face.
“You didn’t have any desire to see me earlier today!” she reminded.
“Do the words ‘hell no’ ring any bells for you? What about; ‘I can’t
get involved.’ Do you remember saying that? ‘I
can’t
, get involved,’ you
said. You gave me some bullshit about secrets, and treasure hunting, and
danger.
Remember?
Do you remember all that?
No?
Well
I
remember,” she concluded.
Becki struggled to free herself from his embrace.
She had become
more and more upset as she hurled excuses at him as if they were
daggers.
Mad did not even begin to cover the emotion she felt boiling over,
the emotion currently threatening to spill from her tear-filled eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself. She was absolutely not going
to do this…not here, not now, not in this lifetime.
With one mighty push, she broke free.
“Leave me alone, Royce,” she hissed through gritted teeth.
“Seriously, just
go away
and leave me alone.”
Assuming he would do as she asked and leave, she spun toward the
refrigerator and began pulling out butter and eggs, only to slam them
down on the cabinet.
“Becki, do I need to go get Dad?” Leann asked looking concerned.
She stood poised ready to race out the back door for help.
Becki took a calming breath and turned to reassured her. “No,
honey; I’m fine, just mad at this assho--, uh--,
oaf
right now,” she said
looking directly at Royce for the first time.
“Royce, meet my cousin Leann. Her sisters Mandy and Clarissa are
around here somewhere.”
Royce picked up the bouquet of flowers he had laid on the counter
and immediately crouched down to Leann’s level.
“Becki is mad at me because I said some stupid things earlier
today. I’m trying to talk her into forgiving me,” he said with sad eyes.
“I brought flowers hoping that would help, but I don’t seem to be
doing very well. Do you have any ideas?” he asked quietly.
“Good luck with that,” Leann said with brutal honesty. “When
Becki gets mad, she stays mad for
days
. One time, her
other
boyfriend,
the one who was
not
kid-friendly,” Leann felt compelled to clarify,
“didn’t--”
“That’s enough, Leann,” Becki quickly interrupted, putting an end to
what was sure to be an embarrassing recounting of one of the many times
she had been disappointed in the past.
“Go find your sisters and tell them dinner is almost ready,” Becki
instructed, hoping to distract both Leann and Royce. It was hard to predict
where that conversation might have gone.
“Just sayin…” Leann shouted over her shoulder as she ran toward the
stairs.
“Brat! Whose side are you on anyway?” Becki protested.
Royce chuckled as he stood.
“Hm,” he said, glancing in the direction of stairs Leann had taken, “I
think I’ll follow up on that a little later.”
“Don’t even think about it,” Becki threatened with narrowed eyes.
He didn’t utter another word as he began moving slowly toward Becki.
As he advanced, she retreated in a futile attempt to keep him from
getting closer to her, or worse yet, touching her. She couldn’t think when he
touched her, and she needed to think. She needed to keep her guard firmly
in place.
Bump.
She felt the kitchen counter at her back. “Royce,” she managed
to croak through her suddenly paralyzed vocal chords.
He did not hesitate or slow his advance one iota. He continued to move
steadily toward her not stopping until his body was plastered against hers
from head to toe.
“I’m so very sorry, Becki,” he whispered looking deeply into her dark
chocolate eyes. “I’m sorrier than you know.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea, Royce. I don’t think I can--”
“I was wrong,” he interjected without giving her a chance to continue
with that train of thought. “Please forgive me.”
Becki felt moisture collect in her eyes, and then to her great horror, it
began to stream down her cheeks.
Royce caught a tear with his thumb as he continued, “Let’s have dinner
with your family and just enjoy the evening, no pressure. We can work the
rest out later, ok?”
“Fine,
dinner
, that’s it; that’s all I’m willing to give right now,” Becki
snapped, spinning away from him.
Royce watched her move away from him. Ok, this was not going to be
easy, but it was probably more than he deserved.
Three pairs of feet
suddenly
pounded
down
the
stairs
reminding
him
of
a
small
cattle
stampede. Leann had returned, and brought along reinforcements. Royce
knew he had one shot to put the girls at ease and let them know that he was
not a threat to Becki.
“Hi, Ladies,” he said, as he moved to take a seat at the table,
strategically placing himself beside the flowers he had just put there.
Flashing a sexy grin guaranteed to melt the heart of any woman or child,
he said, “Sooo, tell me, what do you like to do for fun? “
Becki noticed his intentional staging and couldn’t help but admire his
skill.
In no time at all, they were complimenting the beautiful flower
arrangement he had brought with him, talking about his “awesome” car,
and wrangling promises out of him to take them for a ride.
“Brownies are in the oven,” Becki said walking toward the group,
“Let’s go out and see how dinner is moving along.”
Leann and Clarissa each put an arm around her, enveloping her in a
group hug.
Thankfully, she was feeling a little more calm and collected,
but hugs were always good. Mandy had climbed on Royce’s lap and was
currently explaining to him the typical body structure of a crustacean.
Yes, she did love to talk!
Royce had won the girls over and in the process melted some of the
frost around her heart. The girls were very important to her, like little
sisters, and it was
important for
them to
feel comfortable with
whomever she would bring into their lives.
Mandy scooted off Royce’s lap and gave Becki a belated hug on her
way to the door.
“
Hot,
” Clarissa whispered giving Becki the thumbs-up sign as she
headed out the door.
“Let’s get this party staaarrrted,” they heard Leann say. As she closed
the door behind her, Becki and Royce were left alone inside the house.
Royce looked at Becki in surprise, and suddenly they both began to
laugh.
“All I can say is ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ with that
one,” Becki managed. Judging from stories she had heard of Kurt’s
youthful escapades, he was in for a wild ride over the next few years.
Royce silently stretched his hand toward Becki.
“You don’t play fair,” she accused, as she placed her hand in his.
“Nope,” he admitted, pulling close enough to drop a butterfly kiss on
the top of her head.
Breathing a sigh of relief, he led Becki outside to the party.
As they
joined the group, he caught Natie’s eye. “Thanks,” he mouthed with a
wink.
Natie smiled, raised her glass, and winked right back.
Sean and Landon appeared to be deep in conversation about tides,
ocean currents, maps, and legends.
Kurt and Jonah had just dumped a
large pot of potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, sausage, and shrimp on a picnic
table covered in newspaper. Becki’s young cousins and Natie raced to
the table each bragging that they would be the one to find the largest
shrimp. Mandy had been the lucky winner last time.
Since the rules
stated that she had to wait until the other girls had chosen one shrimp
each, she danced along the sidelines urging them to ‘Hurry up already!’
“A girl could starve here!” Mandy complained, anxious to join in the
fun.
Family, laughter, music and food-- Royce suddenly missed home.
The wind did not seem to be blowing as hard as it had been earlier,
but the tropical storm was expected to make landfall tonight.
Royce and Becki sat on the porch swing holding hands and watching
the girls hunt for shrimp-treasure.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, does it?”
“I love spending time with my family,” Becki said resting her head on
Royce’s shoulder.
“I know you do, and they love you.”
“I’m one lucky girl,” she agreed, “
and
, I’ve got the hottest date
tonight, Clarissa said so.”
Royce chuckled, “Kurt is going to have his hands full with those girls
in few years.”