View Park, page 27
“I needed to calm you down,” she said. “You’re getting too hot too soon.”
“Well that’s not a problem anymore.” He tasted blood.
“My surprise is downstairs.” She grabbed his hand. “Let’s go, Daddy.”
He pulled her back. “You’re not leaving this room.”
“Have you ever had sex in a Jacuzzi?”
“Yes, I have.” Even though he hadn’t. The most exciting place he’d been was the backseat of a car and that didn’t go too well.
I don’t believe you,” she said. “It’s exciting.”
“Haley, if you tell me about the many times you’ve had sex in the pool, I’m leaving.”
“Don’t worry, little girl.” She closed her bathrobe, walking toward the door. “I’ve gotten the head of security to close the private pool after the lunch rush just for me. I can bring one of the guards down and you have your gun, so let’s move.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
Her expression became completely serious. It was too far into this relationship for him to still say no to her. “Sean, I went through a lot of trouble to get this done, so I don’t think you want to disappoint me.”
“I don’t mind disappointing you,” he answered. “Getting you killed on the other hand…”
“By who? Rudio is in Florida and all his guys are in jail. Who’s gonna come here, get past security downstairs, find their way to the private pool area, get past the guard I’m bringing with me, and get past you?”
“How long ago did you set this up?” he asked.
“I’m done explaining to you, Sean. Let’s go.” She opened the door knowing that if she looked back he wouldn’t come.
“Come on, Danny.” She nodded to the security guard and heard the door close behind her. She turned back to see Sean rushing to catch up with her. They were all so damn easy.
Sean pushed Haley’s hands away from his crotch for the third time. She was acting like Danny wasn’t in the elevator with them. There wasn’t much point to it; everyone knew why he came there. Still, with Haley biting on his neck practically climbing his body, he was grateful when the elevator opened up and they could get out.
Danny blocked them, looking down the hallway. He waved to someone. “There’s a security guard down at that end.”
“Another one?” Sean asked.
“Come on out.” Danny stepped aside for them.
Sean looked down the hallway. He saw the profile of the security guard, but he was too far to get his face. He was short and had a stomach that made him look like he was in his third trimester. “I thought you only had Danny?”
“I said one guard.” Haley started the other way, toward the pool. “Maybe he thought he was supposed to provide it. Come on, Sean.”
“You can stay here,” Sean ordered Danny as they reached the door to the pool. He looked at the guy’s grin. “Turned that way.”
“I get it.” He laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not into looking.”
Every guy was into looking, but that wasn’t on Sean’s mind. “Just keep an eye out.”
When they got to the pool area, it was enclosed and dimly lit. Haley wasn’t the romantic type, but it suited her fine. She tossed her bathrobe away and stepped into the Jacuzzi, turning it on. She looked up at Sean who was searching the walls. “What in the hell are you doing?”
“I’m looking for the lights.” Finally seeing them, he flipped the switch and the room lit up. “Better.”
Haley watched him grab towels and bring them to a chair and began to slowly undress. She took off her bikini top and threw it at him. “I’d like to do this today if you don’t mind.”
Sean held his gun in his hand, looking around. He thought to place it on top of the towels, but something wasn’t right. He looked around, seeing Danny standing at the doorway. Yeah, he was looking. He nodded an apology before turning around.
Sean grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his gun. He wanted it as close to him as possible. He was feeling something eerie and with a half naked Haley a few feet from him, he shouldn’t have been feeling anything but her.
He placed the gun under the towel at the edge of the tub and got in. He took Haley by the waist as she reached up and placed her bikini bottom on his head. He jerked it away, leading her against the edge.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Just stay over here,” he said. “This is dangerous, you know.”
“That’s the whole point, Papi.” She licked her lips, but leaned away as he came in for a kiss.
He grabbed her arms. “I don’t like games.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, laying her hands on his chest. “Because I think you like them a lot and I have a good one for you. It’s called, how long can you hold your breath under water?”
She was wicked and he cursed that he wouldn’t have her any other way. Sean took a deep breath and submerged himself under water. He was good for a couple of minutes at a time.
When she felt his touch inside of her, a sensation ran through Haley making her arch her back. She wanted to let go, but she knew that meant a lot of noise and Sean would get upset with a guard just outside the door.
She turned to see Danny, and as she expected, he was looking right at her. She had caught him and his face went red. She smiled, twirling her fingers to gesture for him to turn around and he did. Then he jerked and Haley blinked. He leaned over and then leaned back against the glass. Slowly, his body lowered and it wasn’t until she saw the trail of blood on the glass above him that she realized what was happening.
Haley opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The door burst open and the other security guard stepped onto the deck. He tossed his cap aside, taking a black wig with it.
Rudio smiled at Haley, showing all his gold teeth, and raised his gun. Haley let out a bloodcurdling scream and miles away, Janet, who was standing in the middle of her kitchen, felt a sharp pain run through her. She dropped the glass of water in her hand and it shattered everywhere.
Carter looked up from his computer when Michael came into his office with a dangerous grin on his face. Whenever Michael had that look, he was interested in starting something.
“Whatever it is,” Carter said, “the answer is no. I’ve got work to do.”
“It’s Friday, man. You should take off early. Patricia is obviously gone and you’re worthless without her. Let’s go check out a movie or something.”
He walked to the window, noticing a shiny new gold telescope. “What’s this?”
“A present from a client.” Carter turned his computer off. “What about the family?”
“Kimberly has the boys in this little toddler fashion show thing.” He leaned into the telescope, focusing it on the building across the street. “You know how she is when anyone mentions modeling.”
“Why don’t you let her do any modeling?”
“She’s got enough being my wife and raising our kids.” The truth was he was scared if Kimberly got a taste of how much money she could make as a model she wouldn’t be satisfied being anyone’s wife. “Have you found any naked women or people having sex with this thing?”
“That’s not what it’s for. Don’t you ever take a rest?”
“No rest for the wicked.” He lowered his brows, staring at his brother. “And you’re no different from me, so give it up.”
Carter laughed. “Try the top floor on that building with the red brick sides. You’ll find something good there.”
“Carter!”
They both turned to Alex Conner who stormed into the office. He looked from Carter to Michael and seemed disappointed Michael was there.
“Mr. Conner.” Carter leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands behind his head. “This is a nice surprise.”
“I know what you’re up to,” Alex exclaimed.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” Michael said. “I’m—”
“Fuck you!”
Michael laughed a little too hard for Carter’s sake. It was that laugh that warned only those who knew him that he was about to start something.
“What did you think you could do by offering her that job?” Alex asked. “You think you could get her to stay?”
Carter knew Avery wouldn’t tell him anything. “You found my card.”
“She told me what you were doing there, but I know it’s about more than that.”
“You’re smarter than you look.” Carter let go of any attempt at politeness.
“So you admit you’re trying to take my woman away from me.”
Carter placed his hands flat on the desk, tilting his head slightly. “Now, Alex, let’s be honest. If Avery was still your woman, you wouldn’t be here.”
His hands clenched into fists, Alex started for the desk. Carter shot up from his chair and Michael took a couple steps forward and Alex backed away. He looked at both of the men and was clearly intimidated. His hands loosened and he focused just on Carter.
“This isn’t over,” he said.
Carter checked his adrenaline, having shot up at the prospect of beating the crap out of this man. He relished the opportunity even though he knew it would work against him in the long run. “You’re wrong. This was over some time ago. Now get the hell out of my office, bitch.”
Alex swallowed hard, pressing his lips together. His eyes were like daggers at Carter, who stood calmly with his eager, smiling brother just behind him. When he turned and walked out, Carter sat back down looking up at Michael.
“I didn’t need you,” he said. “I can take that guy by myself.”
“I know.” Michael went back to the telescope. “I just couldn’t help myself. This is a great move, Carter.”
“I know.” Carter rested his chin on his folded hands. “He’s feeling real emasculated right now.”
“His manhood has been threatened.” Michael focused on the red brick building. “He’s ripe for the next woman who comes along.”
Carter picked up the phone. He’d had enough of this game. Lisette needed to get this done.
Sean’s head shot up, his eyes stinging when he opened them. He looked at Haley who was shaking all over, digging her nails into his shoulder. When he turned, he saw the security guard standing with a gun and realized then…Rudio. He looked at the towel covering his gun behind Haley, but knew he wouldn’t have time to reach for it before Rudio got at least two shots off.
“Don’t stop for me.” Rudio moved the gun between the two of them as if he wasn’t sure who he wanted to kill first. “If I gotta go out, that’s how I’d want to do it.”
Haley saw the sickening grin on his face and she felt the hatred inside of her begin to take over her fear. She whispered, “Where’s your gun?”
“Not now,” Sean whispered back, slowly pushing Haley aside so he could get in front of her.
“Don’t.” Rudio took a few steps closer. “It’ll be easier on you if you accept right now that there aren’t going to be any heroics this time. No close misses, no sorry security guards or scared bitches who can’t follow through.”
“She can’t hurt you,” Sean said. “She never saw you.”
“You think this is still about her?” Rudio laughed.
Sean made a conscious choice not to look at the towel. If Rudio caught on, Haley would be dead. “I told you I would get you and I did it, not Haley.”
“You’re so smart, huh? So how did I get here, then?” He paused like he was expecting Sean to help him along. “I followed you. You couldn’t stay away from that little whore. You were so lit up, you didn’t even notice me. It only took me a day to get a uniform. And you know the best thing? I’m inside for less than ten minutes before another security guard reminds me to tell everyone the eighth floor pool is off-limits. That’s how smart you are.”
He kept his eyes on Rudio. “You know this is about you and—”
“Don’t try to reason with me! I’ve got nothing to lose so you got no room for negotiation.”
“Then why don’t you just do it, you bitch!” Haley yelled out.
Sean slid in front of her, certain they were both going to get shot, but Rudio just laughed.
“Till the end, huh?” he asked. “That’s fine. I want you to get your sweet ass out of that little pool. We’re gonna talk.”
“Kiss my ass,” Haley spat.
“Why don’t you just talk to me?” Sean asked. He could jump out of the Jacuzzi and conceal reaching for the gun behind his legs. “I’ll get out.”
“Don’t worry,” Rudio said. “I’m gonna kill you in a second, but I want you both to listen while I tell her why she’s gonna die. I want to give her a few seconds to hate her father.”
“What did you do to my dad?” Haley asked.
“This is about what he did to me. I was gonna leave you alone because you’re a stupid spoiled brat who hadn’t seen anything, but your father wouldn’t stop. He tried to take away my club and close down my restaurant, and don’t think I don’t know he was trying to get me killed. That shooting didn’t work out, but I know it was him. Now get out of that damn pool. I want to watch you bleed to death so I can tell your daddy your last thoughts were that all of this was his fault.”
Haley couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Why would he lie now? Her father had tried to help her.
“I’m not getting out!” she yelled, wishing Sean would do something quick.
“Okay.” Sean turned to Haley. “Haley, get out.”
She gasped, hitting Sean on the arm. “No, he’ll kill me.”
“I won’t let that happen,” he said. “I know what I’m doing. Get out.”
She shook her head, not moving an inch. “I’m naked.”
“Since when did that matter to you?” He smiled, but she didn’t smile back. “I know you’re naked, and I know no man can avoid being distracted by that body of yours. Just get out.”
Rudio was yelling something, but Haley wasn’t paying attention. She took a deep breath, looking into Sean’s eyes. They promised her he would not let her die and any thought that she might washed away. He had bigger balls than she did and that made her love him.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Rudio was laughing boyishly as Haley slowly started to get out.
She didn’t want him looking at Sean, so as she walked to him, she made eye contact with him. He licked his lips as he slowly looked her up and down. He tilted his head, rubbing his chin with his free hand. “Damn, woman, you are fine.”
Haley hadn’t heard the shot, but she screamed when she saw the bullet go through his forehead and his limp body drop. She rushed to Sean who was backing out of the Jacuzzi with his gun still trained on Rudio, but he held his hand out to her.
“Get out of here,” he said.
She didn’t want to leave. She wanted him to hold her. “He’s dead, Sean. It’s okay. It’s over.”
Standing over Rudio’s body, Sean kicked his gun away. There was barely any blood and that grin on his face at the sight of Haley’s naked body was still there.
“Sean?” At first she thought he was leaving and she rushed after him, but he was only checking on Danny. “He’s dead, too. Forget him.”
“Stop it.” Her indifference to a man who had died protecting her grated on Sean, but he knew she wasn’t thinking straight right now. “Get dressed.”
Haley was confused by his coldness. She held her hand out to him as he walked past her, but he ignored her. She loved him and needed him and all he could do was stand over Rudio’s dead body looking like he regretted killing the man who was certainly going to kill them.
Sean looked up at Haley who stood there staring like she was waiting for something he didn’t have the mind to give her right now. She started to move toward him, looking down at Rudio. He was jolted when she spat on him even though he wanted to understand. He was disgusted by everything and wanted to get this over with.
“You’re still naked,” he told her.
She looked up at him feeling insulted by the disgusted tone of his voice before saying, “So are you.”
Janet was losing her patience with Steven and she resorted to yelling over the phone, a completely classless thing to do. “Steven, I’m telling you something is wrong with Haley!”
“Janet, please. Get a hold of yourself.”
“You have to understand me,” she pleaded. “She’s my baby and I can feel her. Do something now or I’m going over there.”
“Don’t do that, Janet. I’ll call Sean and get back to you, okay?”
“Right away, Steven.”
Janet hung up, slamming the phone down on the foyer console table. She put her hand to her aching stomach; the pain hadn’t gone away. Something was terribly wrong and she wasn’t going to rest until she talked to every one of her children.
Hearing voices yelling on the other side of the door only made her worry more. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Jay struggling with a young man trying desperately to get inside. At first she feared he had something to do with Rudio, but he was dressed in a doctor’s coat and was yelling for Leigh to come to the door.
“What do you want?” she asked.
“I need to talk to Leigh!” Richard pushed away from Jay.
“Something’s wrong with this guy,” Jay said. “He practically drove his car up the steps.”
“Who are you?” she asked.
“I’m Richard. I’m her boyfriend. Please, Mrs. Chase.” His voice was straining, his eyes desperate. “You have to let me talk to her. Something is really wrong.”
The way she was feeling right now, Janet wasn’t willing to take the chance he was lying. “She’s upstairs, but tell me what you mean.”
Richard pushed Jay away, storming into the house. “Where’s her room?”
“You tell me what’s going on and I’ll take you to her.”
“I was talking to her on the phone.” Richard spoke through quick breaths. “She called me, crying. She said she needed me and she was afraid. Then she hung up.”
When they burst into Leigh’s room screaming her name, they found her sitting on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest with tears rolling down her face. Janet rushed to her, wrapping her arms around her and it only made her cry harder.
