Getting Lucky (2 page)
"You have to wait until payday when you have all of that cash on your person?” He was leaning against her car and watching her rescue the cash from her body with extreme interest.
"This cash isn't mine. I am sending it to a charity designed to help children born with AIDS. It is an all too common by-product of the drug traffic that is so prevalent in this area."
His brows arched in surprise. “And you risked your life for this?"
She blushed. For the first time since she had run into Henry, she was a little afraid of his frank and open looks. “That wasn't the plan. It normally runs much more smoothly than it did tonight.” She must not have noticed him making the call because that instant a black tow truck appeared out of the darkness. It had a silver emblem on the side that she couldn't quite make out and a phone number that wouldn't come into focus, no matter how hard she stared. Westa rubbed her eyes, she must be more tired than she thought.
"Thomas. So glad you could make it.” Henry strode forward and shook the hand of the man who climbed from the cab. “Her car has been damaged, could you take it somewhere safe? Perhaps get an estimate on repairs?"
Something was very odd. Thomas had the same effect on her eyes as his vehicle. He would not come into focus. “Will you tow it somewhere nearby? I need to know if I have to take a bus to work on Monday."
"I will contact Henry when I have the details, ma'am. Your vehicle will be ready when you need it."
The blurry figure bowed in the same manner as Henry and she filed the similarity for later. For now, it was enough to trust the instincts that told her her car would be fine.
"Do you have everything you need out of the vehicle ma'am?"
She closed her eyes for a moment and ran through a list of contents that were squirreled in her car. “Whoops.” She returned to the truck and peeled back a section of carpet to retrieve a small duffel bag. “Don't want to leave this behind."
Henry took her arm to pull her away from the crumbled remains as Thomas moved to hook her car up. It was like watching a battered friend being taken to the hospital. She knew it would be fine, but how long would it take was the question. “So, where are we going? Can you take me to my house?” The trust that she had in this stranger was astonishing, but he didn't trigger any of her usual responses when a man had aggressive intentions. There was no nervous energy, no fight or flight response, nothing but a warmth and security that relaxed her in every way.
"We can stop there to get you some clothing, but I really think you would be safer if you didn't go home this night."
It sounded so logical, so reasonable, even if he was maintaining his grip on her as they walked into the night.
"My car is over here."
Henry steered her gently to a black car that combined the lines of a sports car and the solid build of a luxury sedan. She ran her hand along one silky smooth fender and smiled. “It's lovely. What is the make? I don't recognize it."
"It's a custom make. There are very few of them on the road right now.” His lips twitched and he opened the passenger door for her.
"Are they going to be mass marketed? It's fantastic.” She could swear she could feel the car preening under her. The leather suddenly felt softer and the lighting of the dashboard more subtle. The car purred to life under Henry's touch and she smiled at the smooth action of the vehicle.
"It would not be suitable for the mass market. These vehicles are highly personalized. Now, what is your address?"
They had made it out of the dark and slick streets and were heading toward the highway. She gave him concise directions and sat back to enjoy the ride. Westa lost herself in thought. Since the day she had returned from Camp Silverwood, she had been living in each moment. With no thought for the future. Each day with her new luck had brought impulses to help and support those in need. Every time her luck flared out, there was someone nearby who desperately needed her.
If it hadn't been for her changed mind, she probably never would have gotten into a car with a man whom she had known for less than an hour. Once upon a time, it had been against her nature to live in the moment. Lucky for her, that had changed, or she would not be sitting with a man who made her knees weak and her heart flutter.
She also had to be honest. The car was hot.
It was her house, but she had never seen it so ... empty. Her clothing was shredded, her couch destroyed and there was a stain next to her bed that she didn't want to examine too closely. Someone had gotten there before her and ransacked her home. Every bit of technology was gone. She had nothing left. “Well, hell.” Nothing else summed up her emotions. All of her carefully chosen bedding and clothing was destroyed and there was not one thing left in her home that she could salvage.
"Did they destroy everything?"
His voice echoed her thoughts and seemed shocked at the rampant violence that had been done to her home. “Pretty much. Nothing worth salvaging.” She crouched on the floor. Unbidden, her hands were lifting and dropping the shards of her life. Movement behind her ended as his hands reached around to gently capture hers in a soft embrace.
"Come along, Westa. There is nothing left for you here.” He lifted her and turned her to face him. “They may return. It isn't safe for you here."
"According to you, it isn't safe for me anywhere.” Being petty was all that she could manage. Nodding, she shifted her weight and started to the door. It was a good thing that she only lived in the moment. If she had had mementos of her life, she would really be pissed right now. Footsteps behind her followed her quietly back to his car. The door opened almost by magic as she touched the handle.
In silence, he joined her in the vehicle and started the engine with a delicate touch.
She finally shattered the silent reverie. “I need a twenty-four hour mega mart. I refuse to go through the rest of the evening looking like a discount hooker.” His lips twitched and he kept his commentary to himself.
With a nod he made a beeline for the nearest shop to fit her specifications.
"You know, shopping isn't a sport. You could go easy on this."
He may as well have been trying to communicate with the wind. She had no interest in his opinion. With a cart full of clothing, shoes, toiletries and mysterious items from the craft department, she ploughed her way toward the checkout. “I need everything from the skin out. And a shower for that matter. Plus, you still owe me a cup of coffee."
The dark shadow that followed her through the store in the early hours after midnight made the other shoppers give her a wide berth. She was out of the line and had armloads of bags in a matter of minutes. “Ok. Now a shower. Then the coffee. There is a nice little hotel a dozen blocks from here. Shall we?” He looked bemused, as if he was surprised to find her a bit of a bulldozer.
"As my lady commands.” He took her parcels from her and led the way back to his car.
He was remarkably nonchalant about carrying her shopping parcels. She tried not to smile as he placed the bags in the car and once again moved to open her door. This guy could look graceful raking leaves.
Oh, there is a thought, or better yet, raking leaves naked.
She had to shake her head twice to get the silly grin off her face as he sat behind the wheel and closed the driver's door.
"What is the name of the hotel?"
"Oh, it's one of those chain things. Big signage. I can't remember which one though."
"Well then, may I simply take you to my hotel? I already have a room and I could take the couch."
That raised her suspicions. “Are you sure that you will stick to the sofa? All night?"
"I swear, upon my honour, that I will sleep on the couch, while you take the bed.” His hand covered his heart and he took her lack of disagreement as agreement. The engine purred to life and off they went.
The hotel he was staying at was much nicer than the one that she had picked out, and probably cost quite a bit more than she would normally spend. Ah well, it was on his dime. There was also the added bonus that with the security guards and the valets, there would be people around her if she needed help. His rooms were on the seventh floor and the enormous suite beckoned her in like a lodestone.
"Which way is the bathroom?” She followed his pointing finger and scrambled off with three of her shopping bags in tow. All the supplies she needed to feel human again. The shower was decadent, three different jets hitting her in all the right places. The towels were pure sin, wrapping her in warm fluff as she reluctantly left the shower that she had had serious thoughts about marrying.
The towels both dried and warmed her as she contemplated the array of clothing that she had picked up at the mega mart. Bra and panties were a no-brainer, but the color of t-shirt that she chose was important. She chose her most flattering blue and slid into a pair of jeans. The feel of the socks almost made her pass out with joy. There was nothing in life that was as refreshing as a new pair of socks. “And being cleaned and freshly scrubbed."
Shuffling with her worn clothing in one of the plastic bags, she re-entered the main room and took a long look around. The furnishings were luxurious, far more than she deemed necessary, but Henry seemed to be enjoying them.
He was sprawled out on one of the couches and flipped through channels.
In the soft light of the lamps, his features were even more roughly hewn than under the light of streetlamps. The smile that greeted her when as she appeared clean and freshly scrubbed was soft and welcoming.
"You seem much improved. The shower seemed to have done you good."
She wriggled her toes. “It is the socks that rejuvenated me. I do so love a new pair of socks.” His startled laughter warmed her. She wandered over to the mound of bags and dug until she found the sneakers she had bought. Triumphantly, she put them on and turned to him, only to find his gaze fixed on her backside. Blushing slightly, she took the topic off her anatomy. “You owe me coffee. Let's go."
"All right, Henry, what the hell are you and why have you been following me?” The coffee had arrived and the pie was hot while the ice cream was melting into a sticky sweet puddle on the deep-dish saucer in front of her.
He sipped at his tea. “What ever do you mean?"
He didn't deny that he had been following her and she smiled that her guess was correct. Scooping the pie up in several bites, she talked around her full mouth. It was only years of practice that made her words distinct. “I have felt a presence following me recently. Two, actually. One was you, the other, I do believe was the golden goober from the poker game."
"Golden goober? Is there another man bidding for your affections?"
The veiled hostility for the phantom male was not something she missed, although he tried to mask it with a false smile. “The only interest in his genitals that I have is watching my knee smash them. That idiot almost got me killed."
"Well, luckily for you I was nearby."
"Watching me."
"Acting as your guardian, as I was appointed to be.” Shocked by his candour, awareness of it flashed across his face, he busied himself with his teacup.
This was too good to pass up. “An appointed guardian?"
He took a sip of the too-hot brew and flinched back. “Yes. I suppose I should be forthright now as it will be easier if you are informed as to the goings on."
"Appointed by whom?"
"Artemis Whynot of the Silverwood Society."
Her head snapped up so fast she almost knocked herself out. “Mimi? She sent you? She used to be the counsellor at a camp I attended."
"I know. That is why others like me have been dispatched to take several of you into our care. There are those who learned of your experience at Camp Silverwood who are interested in the
skills
you have acquired.” He shifted in his seat.
She caught a whiff of his scent. Like citrus and wind in the forest. “Wait, you mean the other girls from Camp Silverwood? They are in danger? Then let's get ‘em.” Adrenaline began to pound through her veins. She was ready for a fight.
"First, let's get you safe. It is my assignment and I am not going to let you out of my sight until I can be assured that you are out of danger. All right?"
"Okay, but I want answers, and I am not going to give up until I get them.” Her pie was only a memory, the tender, flakey bits of crust long gone.
"That's fair. When we get back to the hotel I will answer all your questions on whatever subject you wish.” He leaned back and crossed his arms.
"Any question? Even personal ones?” She waggled her eyebrows in challenge.
"Well, I may draw the line if you get too involved.” A smug smile crossed his lips.
She fought the urge to dive across the table to kiss him. Ah, but how to get him to come clean about his personal history? Aha, she had it. “Henry, do you play cards?” A smirk crept onto her lips, only to be dashed by his answer.
"Not with you, Lucky."
The door of the hotel room hadn't even finished closing when she rounded on him. “All right, who are you and why couldn't I see you when I was looking directly at you last week. I know that you were watching me outside the coffee shop. I could feel you."
"You may want to sit for some of this. It is a lot to take in.” He hung his jacket up in the closet and held out his hand.
She reluctantly surrendered the new denim and took her seat on the couch. “That depends solely on the questions that I ask, doesn't it?"
"I suppose it does. But I am prepared to answer anything pertaining to you, and most things pertaining to me.” He took up a seat next to her and inhaled deeply. “Feel free to start anytime."
"All right. What exactly are you doing following me?"
"Making sure you are safe."
"From who?"
"People like your golden goober. Those who wish to interfere with the plan."