Heaven With You (29 page)

I searched the name of the club where I was meeting Darryl and his partner tonight.  The Wicked Heel was an upscale men’s club that seemed to cater to gentlemen with an appetite for beautiful, naked women that liked to pole dance and shake their boobs. I guess that pretty much covered the entire male species.

I clicked the virtual tour and took in the circular stage with dance floor and pole, a large gleaming bar, comfortable-looking red cushioned chairs and soft glowing fluorescent lights. It seemed to be a reputable place, as much as any strip club could be, but if Darryl was involved I was wary.

Possibilities skated through my mind—drugs, prostitution, illegal gambling. I was going to find out. If I wanted to stop Darryl, I needed information and I needed Hunter’s help. I prayed I was doing the right thing, and that Darryl’s partner wouldn’t go after Ellie if things went wrong tonight.

We couldn’t go on like this, not knowing what Darryl would do. I’d only stalled him today when I’d turned on Hunter, but not for a moment did I believe he would keep his end of the bargain if it served his interests to get rid of Ellie. He had to be stopped. Tonight.

Writing down the directions to the club, I shut down the computer and went to Reed’s room.  I punched the combination to his gun safe and pulled out his little derringer. It was small enough to fit in the palm of my hand and looked like a toy but Reed said it carried five shots and could be deadly.

I’d never shot a gun before in my life, and I hoped I wouldn’t have to tonight. My hand clutched the gun and I couldn’t imagine shooting someone.  Still, I would do what I had to do to protect the people I loved.

Next, I called a courier service and prayed they were as dependable as their five-star rating indicated. I also prayed that Hunter would be home tonight at nine to receive my package.

3:37 p.m.

My fingers slid across the smooth planes of the sailboat I’d carved for Hunter and intended to give him as a Christmas present. It was exquisite. I’d never created a finer piece. When I’d picked up the chunk of oak, I’d been at the beach and I knew immediately what I would carve.

I think I’d known from the start that I was making it for Hunter. He loved sailing and boats. His study was decorated with a variety of replicas of boats. In comparison to the expensive collection, my little creation was clearly outclassed, but it was made with love and I wanted him to have it.

Placing the sailboat into a box, I carefully wrapped it in plain red paper and tied it with a white bow.  Then I sat down to write him a letter that I hoped he never had to read.

7:01 p.m.

I took a hot shower to soothe the tension knotting my muscles, spent extra time savoring the beat of the massaging showerhead, shaving everything, and washing and conditioning my hair. After the shower, I felt a little better. I was still scared to death and too nervous to eat, but I was determined to go through with my plan.

What did a woman wear to a gentleman’s club? Even if I’d known the answer, it would not have made much difference because the clothes I had at Reed’s house were limited. I dressed in a pair of black yoga pants with a white t-shirt with a slim fitting black leather jacket and red ballet flats.

Picking up the derringer, I slipped it inside of my jacket and hoped I wouldn’t have to pull it out. My fingers picked up the metal charm that Tom had made and I rubbed it, feeling calmer.

9:58 p.m.

I sat in my car gathering the courage to go inside. Hunter should have gotten my delivery by now. He would know what to do. I had faith in him and knew he’d figure out a way out of this mess.

Knowing I couldn’t be late, I got out of the car and walked toward the entrance. The big, bruiser of a guy at the door frowned at me. “You lost sweetheart?”

“No. This is the place. I’m meeting someone about a job.”

His dark gaze gave me a slow perusal, and he nodded. “You need to see Mr. West. Go on in, Antonio will show you the way back.”

“Thanks.” I wondered where Darryl was. My whole plan revolved around him being here.

The inside of The Wicked Heel looked just like the pictures on the internet, except that there were more people than I’d imagined, almost all of them were men. I walked confidently, trying to look as if I knew where I was going and not wanting to draw attention to myself.

“Isabelle Bentley?”

Startled to hear my name, I turned and my gaze landed on a tall man dressed in a suit. “Mr. West?”

“No. I’m Antonio, but Mr. West is expecting you. Come on,” he commanded, placing his hand on my back in a way that felt overly familiar and leading me away from the main bar area.

Several customers watched us go, and I tried to rationalize that they’d be witnesses if I turned up missing. Surely, that had to be a good thing I told myself as we circled the stage and stopped at a secluded table in the back.

A lone man sat at the table wearing an expensive-looking steel-gray suit, his hair slicked back from his face and his amber eyes watching me like a bug he was deciding whether or not to step on.

“Sit down, Miss Bentley.”

I sat.

“I assume you’re Mr. West.”

He didn’t reply. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked, and with a single lift of his brow a scantily clad waitress appeared at the table.

Sensing he was not the sort of man that you refused, I ordered a rum and coke. The waitress didn’t bother to write it down, just gazed adoringly at West. “Your usual, Mr. West?”

“Yes. Thank you, Delilah.”

Delilah sauntered away, and West leaned back in his chair in a deceptively relaxed stance.

“Tell me what you think of my club.”

“It’s fabulous. I’m sure you’re very proud.”

This seemed to amuse him. “Yes, Miss Bentley, I am indeed proud. I like all the prospective employees to see where they can one day be if they prove themselves worthy.”

“You mean I wouldn’t work here?”

He laughed. “Only my most deserving people are able to end up here. First, you’ve got to prove yourself to me. Are you willing to do that?”

“Of course.”

“I like your enthusiasm, and you’re obviously beautiful. Too beautiful,” he said to himself. “You’d draw too much attention to yourself for most of my business deals.”

Delilah dropped off my rum and coke and West’s drink, which looked like Scotch on the rocks.

“What would I have to do?” I knew as soon as I’d spoken, I’d asked the wrong question.

“Does it matter?”

“No.”

 “We’ll see how this goes.” He lifted his brow again, and this time Darryl appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “Take her to Fairmount and we’ll see how she does.”

Panic sliced through me, but I kept my expression stoic. My entire plan would incinerate if I left the club.

“Congratulations,” Darryl breathed against my ear. “He liked you. Half the girls we bring him never make it inside the club, and most that do are quickly shown the door.”

We stepped out into the cold December night, and my mind began to go through the details of plan B, which required me to be alone long enough to make a call with my new disposable phone.

“My car is parked out front. If you give me directions, I’ll—“

“You’ll ride with me.” He flashed an oily grin. “If you survive the night, I’ll make sure you get back to your car.”

He pressed a keyless remote, and my attention caught on a sleek black car with dark tinted windows. A tingle of awareness skated over me, and I sensed that Hunter was here. My gaze sharpened, scanning the surroundings.

Turning toward the car, I nearly sagged with relief when I caught the shadowy figure by Darryl’s car. I didn’t have to see him to know that it was Hunter. I relaxed. That mistake proved costly.

Darryl’s head jerked toward Hunter, he grabbed me and pressed the cold barrel of a gun to my temple. “Show yourself! And keep your hands where I can see them.”

His grip around my neck tightened, and I winced.

Hunter stepped out of the shadows, walking slowly with his hands in front of him, palms up. I couldn’t help admire the confident way he moved, with ease, as if the situation was only a minor inconvenience, and he was sure that he’d fix it.

If anyone could figure a way out of this, I knew that it was Hunter. My eyes locked on him. His eyes were on Darryl, his expression emotionless, giving nothing away.

“I should have known the bitch would be too stupid to follow instructions. Do you know where you daughter is, Captain?”

Hunter’s indifferent expression never faltered. “Calm down. I just want to talk.”

“The only talk you want to do with me is read me my rights. Let us go or she dies.”

“I’m impressed with how you managed to set all of this up without anyone ever suspecting anything.”

“Don’t bullshit with me,” Darryl shouted, his fingernails biting into my flesh.

 “Maybe I’m interested in making a deal.”

Darryl snorted like a pig. “And maybe monkeys will start flying outta my ass.”

Hunter stepped forward.

“Stay back!”

“Dennison has been arrested. No one knows about you, though. I made sure of that.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“I told you. A deal. I could be your new partner.”

I sensed Darryl’s hesitation and interest. “What about her?”

Hunter shrugged, as if it made no difference what would happen to me. “She’ll do what I tell her to do,” he said finally.

“I don’t know.” Darryl’s voice shook with nerves.

Hunter took another step forward.

I smelled Darryl’s fear, felt his sweaty body against mine. Nausea rolled my stomach, but I fought it back, determined to stay in control.  I had no idea what Hunter’s plan was, but he appeared unarmed and completely unconcerned with that as he continued to move closer to us.

“Not another step! Or I’ll kill her, I swear!”

“Fine,” Hunter said smoothly. “It’s all good.”

A noise to our left drew Darryl’s attention. The next few seconds flashed with lightening speed. I jabbed my elbow into Darryl’s side, shoved him and jumped back. Hunter reached for the gun, and they struggled, but Hunter easily took him down with ninja-like moves.

“Izzy!”

Hunter shouted my name, but I had no time to react before Darryl grabbed me again in a choking hold that threatened to suffocate me. “Drop the gun!”

My lungs burned. I needed air but there was none.

“Here. Just loosen your grip.” Hunter set the gun down.

“Kick it to me! Or she’s dead.”

I felt myself slipping.

Hunter did as asked.

Suddenly Darryl shoved me away, picked up the gun, but this time he leveled it threateningly at Hunter. Gasping for air, I looked up and didn’t hesitate. I jumped in front of Hunter just before I heard the explosion of the gun.

“Izzy no!” Hunter cried.

I closed my eyes, and everything went dark.

“Please don’t die,” Hunter whispered, cradling me against his chest. “She’s breathing. I don’t see any blood.”

I wasn’t sure whom he was talking to. Lifting my shirt, I heard his sharp drawn breath and then his voice broke. “Thank God,” he breathed. “There’s no bullet wound.”

I moaned softly, knowing I had to be dreaming. I’d been shot. How could there be no wound. Slowly, the fuzziness began to fade and I was able to focus. My body felt liked it had been sacked by a linebacker, but I was alive.

Opening my eyes, I saw Hunter talking on the phone. His gaze landed on me and I saw the relief fill his eyes.

“Hunter?”

“I’m here, Izzy.”

I saw the tears fill his eyes.

“Am I going to die?” I asked shakily.

“No.” A tear slipped down his cheek. “You’re going to be fine.”

“Why are you upset?”

“I was scared. Thank God, you’re not hurt.”

I thought about that for a moment. “I feel okay, just a little sore. He missed.”

Something glinted in his eyes. “He didn’t miss. You were shot.” He sounded baffled. Then I felt his fingertips brush my skin as he lifted the charm that rested over my heart, the one that Tom had given me.

A strange feeling swept over me, and I looked up at Hunter. “Do you think—“

“I do.”

“It’s a miracle,” I breathed.

“Yes, it is.”

He was looking at me with such tenderness that tears pricked my eyes. Something tugged at my consciousness. “Ellie!” I tried to sit up, suddenly panicked. “We have to find Darryl. He threatened her!”

“It’s okay. Darryl is in custody. Ellie’s safe. I listened to the recording you made of Darryl on your phone.”

“She’s safe.” Relief filled me.

 “Isabelle, you should have come to me,” he chided gently.

“I couldn’t risk anything happening to Ellie.”

“I know, but you shouldn’t have put yourself in danger. Isabelle, I don’t want to lose you.” He closed his eyes a moment. When he opened them I could feel every emotion reflected in the depths of his eyes. “I love you, Izzy. I want us to grow old together.”

“I want that too.”

“First I want to marry you and make you the mother of my future children.”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled his mouth to mine. “Let’s get started on that right away. I love you so much.”

“I love you to Izzy.”

Hunter held me close, as if he never wanted to let go, and I realized that I had everything I could ever want right here in his arms.

Epilogue

“The dress doesn’t suck, does it?” I asked Cora, noting the way Jase Ford’s hungry gaze kept drifting to her.

Cora’s hands smoothed the pale green, spaghetti-strapped dress that crisscrossed delicately giving a stunning view of the back.

Ellie flashed a huge smile. “You’re gorgeous. You’ve gotten Jase’s attention.” 

“You did a great job of picking it out.” Cora’s gaze swung to Jase before settling on me. “Isabelle, you’re gorgeous. You should have seen the way Hunter was looking at you when you walked down the aisle.”

I knew what she was talking about because the look in Hunter’s eyes when he saw me in my wedding dress was something I’d never forget.