Street Safe (17 page)

Miles sipped his coffee. “God, I hope he’s not gambling again. I don’t think I can go through another intervention.”

A heavy sigh left Street’s lips. He hoped not. The last time his friend was in debt to a bookie it took both he and Miles to get him out of the bookie’s bad graces. If Derrick was in trouble this time, well...

“I honestly don’t know, Miles. Although no one has come looking for him.”

“Ya think he’s going to the meetings?”

Street nodded.

“Well, I guess that’s all we can ask for.” Miles swiveled in his chair. “Good crowd tonight.”

“Yeah. The festivities are always a good draw.” Street pulled the handle for light beer and filled a chilled Pilsner glass. He set that and a pitcher of margaritas on the counter for Beau to pick up. “And a good place for any unsavory characters to hang out.”

Miles chuckled. “You know you’ll spot them.” He raised his mug to his lips, then lowered the cup again. “Looks like Arah made it.”

Street fastened his gaze on the door. Sure enough Na’arah walked in wearing a red hoodie and hip hugging jeans. His pulse quickened while heat simmered through his veins and pooled in his crotch. She laughed at something a younger woman said behind here, before lifting her hand in a quick wave. No matter how many times he’d seen her in the past few days she always managed to take his breath away.

“Why don’t you just tell her how you feel?”

Street tore his focus back to Miles. “As soon as you stop calling her ‘Arah.‘” He topped off the coffee. “Why do you call her that?”

Miles shrugged. “Habit.”

“Well, stop it.”

He met icy resolve. “You do realize you’re overreacting to a nickname.”

“Shut up.” Street washed and dried his hands. “The funeral is tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be there. Let Arah know we’ll release the shop back to her by the end of the week.” Miles sipped his coffee. “Has she said anything else to you?”

“Like what?”

“Anything at all.”

Street paused, debating whether or not to tell him. “She’s pregnant.”

Coffee spewed onto the counter top and dribbled down the front of Miles’ once pristine shirt.

A smirk tugged at the corners of Street’s mouth. “I take it that’s not what you had in mind.”

“So you got caught up, huh?” Miles coughed. “Happens to the best of us.”

“Damn condom broke,” Street muttered. “Just keep it between us. I don’t think she’s told anyone else yet. I don’t know what to do. First this and Auggie.” He ran a hand over his head. “Find something so she can have some peace of mind. I don’t think she’s slept more than a couple hours since arriving.”

Miles leaned forward. “Maybe she should talk to someone.”

“You tell her that and see where it gets you.”

“There’s something else.” Miles looked around. “Someone has been watching her place and the spa.”

A ripple of unease went through Street. “Are you sure about that?”

Miles grimaced. “This is a small town. One of the neighbors called in to report a suspicious vehicle outside her home the last two nights. Are you sure she hasn’t said anything?”

“Not a thing.” Movement caught the corner of his eye. Na’arah was waving to him. “I’ll be right back.”

****

“I don’t see why you’re staying with him. You could just as easily stay with me.” Zee huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “What can he do that I can’t?’

Na’arah lifted a brow. “Seriously?”

Her sister blushed. “I didn’t mean it like that, but I can see your point.”

“I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.” She covered Zee’s hand. “You’re my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister and I worry about you. Especially when I hear dead people turn up in your shop.”

Na’arah frowned. “Yeah. I don’t know if I can go back in there.”

“Are you kidding?” Zee widened her eyes. “You could charge admission. The Old Mill in Dundee does a paranormal thing on the weekends. You could do the same thing at the spa.”

“You’ve watched too many ghost shows.” Na’arah smiled when a warm hand gripped her shoulder. She tilted her head back and stared into light brown eyes. “You remember my sister, Zee?” Na’arah waited while pleasantries were exchanged.

“I must say, you made Abby’s bachelorette party the best.” Zee flicked her gaze over him. “We stared at you all night.”

“Zee, really.” Na’arah admonished.

Her sister tsked and returned her attention to Street. “So this shacking up you’re doin’ with my sister.”

“Zee!”

Street laughed. “People still call it that?”

“What are your intentions? Are they honorable? Or do I need to prepare for a duel?” She fixed him with a calculating gleam.

Na’arah shook her head. Of all the times her little sister decided to get over-protective she chose now? She peeked at Street and he seemed amused by the challenge.

“My intentions are always honorable and I will do my best to make your sister happy.”

The sincerity in his voice touched her heart and sent warm fuzzies shivering through her veins.

“You better. I’d hate to mess up such a handsome face.”

Street inclined his head. “So noted.”

Zee stood. “Good. Now if you’ll excuse I see a hottie I’d like to dance with.”

He waited until Zee walked away before he slid into the vacant chair. Concern creased his brows. “Are you okay?”

Na’arah smiled. “I am.”

Street swept a gentle thumb down the curve of her cheek. “Maybe you should go upstairs. I know you haven’t been sleeping.”

She shook her head. “Not right now.”

“Miles needs to talk to you again.”

“I don’t have anything else to tell him about that night or this afternoon.”

“How about the night Auggie was attacked?”

She gasped. “Really Rue, all I did was call the police. I didn’t hurt him.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

She averted her gaze. “He asked me not to. Auggie didn’t want you to worry.”

He grasped her hands. “Did you ever think the two might be related?”

A startled sigh escaped her lips and she studied him. “But they were weeks apart.” Na’arah sat back, her heart pounding as she recalled that night. She remembered the sensation of someone watching her. The men who’d beat up Auggie probably knew what she looked like. Was that why he’d apologized?

“I think you should talk to Miles, tell him everything that happened that night.”

She nodded. Street smoothed small, soothing circles on the backs of her hands. The caress was just the balm she needed when everything in her life was so uncertain. She was so frazzled right now, and she craved his touch.

A gentle squeeze on her fingers had her meeting his gaze. Compassion and a hint of desire flared in his eyes. “Listen, I’ll have Beau take over for me so I can spend the rest of the evening with you.”

Na’arah ducked her head. “You don’t have to do that.”

He leaned across the table, tucked two fingers beneath her chin and lifted her head until she met his gaze again. “I do.”

She read the sincerity in his eyes. Tears clogged the back of her throat. “Only if you really want to. Don’t do anything special on my account.”

“Go wait in my office. I’ll send Miles in to talk to you.”

She hated to ask, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to answer questions without bawling her eyes out. “Will you be there?”

He nodded. “I’ll be there.” He stood and kissed her. A slow, sensuous slide of lips ignited an ache between her legs. Desire dampened her panties while need sidled through her veins. He took his time, seeming to infuse everything he couldn’t say into his kiss.

“I will be there for you no matter what happens,” he murmured against her lips. A moment later he was gone.

Na’arah rested her fingertips on her mouth. They were still warm from Street’s tender caress. How could he kiss her like that when he didn’t believe she was carrying his child?

“Hey, Arah.” Zee giggled and grasped the back of the vacant chair. “I’m gonna get goin.’”

“Okay.”

She flashed her a mischievous grin. “I saw the way he kissed you.” Zee slung her purse over her shoulder, then fished out her keys. “And that was no ordinary lip lock. That smooch sent several people running to the bar for more drinks.”

Embarrassment burned to the tips of her ears. “I’ll walk you out.” She linked arms with her sister.

“Should you tell your keeper you’re going outside?” Zee teased.

Na’arah chuckled, but did manage to catch Street’s eye as she walked out the door. He tossed a frown across the room, but she merely waved and continued into the night.

A breeze blew across the water and Na’arah shivered in the sudden cold. She pulled her jacket a little tighter around her. “I don’t think I’m going to participate in the race Saturday,” she said.

“C’mon, Arah. You promised,” her sister whined.

“I know, but...” She glanced around at the raised voices. Every cell in her body clenched as the men argued.

“Oh I get it. You and Street.” She nudged Na’arah. “I’ll let you slide this time.”

Na’arah ran her fingers through her hair. The charm bracelet glinted in the floodlights.

Zee grabbed her arm. “Did Street give you this? It’s gorgeous.”

“No.” Na’arah reclaimed her wrist. “Auggie gave me this.”

“Really?” Zee’s eyes widened. “Why? Street doesn’t like jewelry?”

She laughed. “I have no idea of Street’s jewelry preference, but Auggie asked me to keep this.”

Zee fingered the charms. “I’d have it appraised. It looks very old and expensive.”

“I suppose.” Na’arah shivered. “Call me later. I need to tell you something.”

“Why not now?”

“Because I’m cold and I want to go back inside.”

Her sister laughed and opened the car door. “You just want to bump pelvises with the bartender. Hell, I want to bump pelvises with the bartender.” She laughed when Na’arah glared at her. “The man is fine, Arah. Are you sure this is what you want to do? Is Street what you want? I know we’ve talked about this and I warned you not get involved with him, but if he makes you cry again, I promise to hurt him.”

Definitely not crushing anymore. Na’arah was all the way in love with Street and carrying his child. The answer must have shown on her face. Zee shook her head.

“Go back inside. I’d hate to be the reason you catch a cold.” She slid in the car, cranked the engine and slammed the door. A moment later the window opened. “You better call me.”

“I will.” Na’arah smiled and stepped away from the car. “I promise.”

“And you owe me for the movies.”

“I’m sure I do, but it won’t be driving you and your friends around.”

Zee drove away, her laughter ringing in her ears. Na’arah stared into the night. The gentle lap of water against the rocks mingled with the rumble of traffic and nearly drowned out the scuff of footsteps on pavement.

Raised voices snapped her from her reverie. Her breath stilled in throat. She knew that voice. She followed the sound, heart thudding painfully in her chest, to the far side of the building. The words they shouted grew clearer.

“...she has the bracelet.”

“Then she probably knows where the money is,” said the other.

Both the men from the spa. If she could see their faces then maybe she could tell Street what they looked like and then move on with her life. A pang of regret filled her. If she left, she wouldn’t be with him every day.

“We need to find out what she knows.”

“Don’t you think I’ve tried? She’s never alone.”

The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and for the first time Na’arah realized she was outside...alone. And no one knew where she was. A chill blew through her. She risked a nervous glance around. There were a few people on the sidewalk across the street, but no one else was in the parking lot.

If she could just see their faces. She peered around the corner of the building. A large dumpster blocked her view, but she could make out the sleeve of a navy blue jacket. One shiny gold button hung from a thread while the other was missing in its entirety. The button was the same Miles had shown her. These were definitely the men from the shop.

She inched closer. The other guy wore a black hoodie. He lifted his arm revealing an oversized white watch and long scratches on the back of his hand. The guy who tried to drag her from the theater. That’s where she’d seen the watch. She edged closer, trying to get a better look. The toe of her shoe nudged a branch. It was enough to send it careening into the metal dumpster. The ensuing clang was loud and both men turned in her direction.

Oh no. She dove behind the building. Had they seen her? Blood roared in her ears as she held her breath. Oh god. What if they’d seen her? Her stomach fluttered. How could she have been so stupid?

“Get out of here. The first chance you get. Get her and find out what she knows.”