Текст книги "Dirty Little Secrets"

Автор книги: Erin Ashley Tanner

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“Hello?”

“Ava, it’s Dominic.”

Ava released a breath. “Why are you calling me from a restricted number?”

“I picked up a disposable phone while I was out. No use taking chances.”

“Is everything fine? Are you okay?”

“Babe, I’m good. I’m just ready to hold you in my arms again. Where are you?”

Ava swallowed. “Heading back to the hotel.”

“Heading back? Ava, where have you been? You should have been laying low. Your life is in danger.”

“I know. I know, but I can’t just sit around like some scared little rabbit. I needed to do something. To try and find out who’s behind all this.”

“Ava, where’s Maia?”

“She’s at the hotel with Mrs. Valdez.”

“I really wish you hadn’t gone out on your own. It’s dangerous. What if something happened to you?”

“But it didn’t. I’m okay,” Ava assured him.

“Where did you go?”

“To see Smitty, he’s an old friend. I thought if anybody knew what was going on, he would.”

“And did he?”

“Sort of.”

“What do you mean sort of?”

Ava came to a red light and stopped. She raked a hand through her hair and repeated Smitty’s information to him.

“Well we figured none of this was random. But I can’t believe one of Joseph’s associates would put a hit out on you.”

Ava pressed the gas as the light turned green. “Those were my thoughts, but how am I supposed to know how the mob really works?”

“Babe, it doesn’t work like that.”

“How do you know? You’re not even in the business,” Ava said.

“I may not be in the life, but I was raised around it, and I have friends who have deep mob ties.”

“Smitty did say he heard my brother-in-law’s name come up in connection to this.”

“Angelo could be behind this?”

“That’s one of the rumors.”

“Does he strike you as a man who’d order a hit on a woman?” Dominic asked.

“I honestly don’t know. Angelo has wanted me from the moment he saw me. I have a hard time believing he’d want to kill me. I’m scared, Dominic.”

“I know you are and I know it wasn’t easy for you to admit that. We’re going to figure this out and when we find out who the bastard is I’m going to make them pay. You have my word.”

“Dominic…”

Ava’s response was cut off as she glanced up at the rearview mirror. Her mouth went dry. A black sedan was following her.

“Ava, baby. Are you still there?”

“I think I’m being followed.”

“Where are you?” Dominic asked.

“Heading down Main Street.”

“What direction?”

“North.”

“I’m not too far from you. I’m heading there now. I want you to stay on the phone with me. Okay?”

“Yeah.”

“How close is the car?” Dominic asked.

“About two car lengths away.”

Ava kept one eye on the rearview mirror. The windows on the car were tinted. She couldn’t see inside. She swallowed the lump in her throat. There was no reason for her to be afraid. You’ve got a gun. If all else fails, pull it out and use it. Ava ignored the voice in her head. The last thing she wanted to do was shoot anyone, not to mention, it would draw the attention of the police.

“Ava, what’s going on? You still there?”

“Yes. I’m still here.”

She’d just cleared the last red light downtown. In front of her was open highway. Now was the time to see if she could outrun her pursuer. Ava stomped the gas and her car took off. The speedometer jumped to sixty. Sixty-five. Seventy. Seventy-five. She looked in the mirror. The black sedan was speeding up.

“No.”

“Ava, what’s wrong?”

“The car. It’s speeding up.”

“Can you outrun it?”

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” Ava yelled.

“Calm down, baby. I’m almost to where you are.”

Ava was driving eighty now and still the car kept coming. She pressed her foot down on the accelerator even harder. The car roared to ninety. She looked up and screamed. The sedan hit the back of her car with enough force to knock the cellphone from her hand. Ava held to the wheel tight, trying to hold the car on the road. She raised her foot off the gas in an effort to gain more control.

“Ava! Ava!” she could hear Dominic yelling through the phone.

She couldn’t pick it up. Didn’t have a chance. The sedan hit her again and Ava’s car went spinning right into a guardrail. The force of it made her windshield explode and airbags deploy. Her head banged against the dashboard before snapping back. She felt blood drip down her forehead as she fought unconsciousness. The blackness was coming. She couldn’t fight it. Dimly she thought she heard footsteps.

Ava tried to turn her head, but she couldn’t. It hurt too much. She was helpless as the door opened. Weakly she tried to put up her hands.

“I warned you. I told you you’d pay for betraying me and I meant it.”

The voice. In Ava’s impaired mind something about it was familiar to her. Ignoring the pain in her neck, she turned her head. The glaring sun of another day obscured the man’s features. All she could see was a silhouette standing in the sun. The sound of sirens reached her ears.

“You’re lucky. I should finish you off right here, but those sirens have just bought you a reprieve. This isn’t over.”

The man disappeared and the blackness Ava had been fighting finally engulfed her.

“Ma’am. Ma’am, can you hear me?”

Ava opened her eyes. A man was standing over her with a flashlight pointed in her face.

“Ma’am, I’m an EMT. Can you tell me your name?”

“Ava Hill.”

“Alright Ms. Hill, do you hurt anywhere?”

“Pain in my neck and shoulder.”

The EMT touched her neck with the pads of his fingers. Ava winced.

“You’ve got some really bad bruising, but it doesn’t feel like anything’s broken.”

“Ava!”

“Dominic?”

The EMT turned. “Sir, she’s just been in an accident.”

“I know that. I was on the phone with her when some asshole ran her off the road.”

“I understand you’re upset sir, but let me do my job. We need to get her to a hospital for further observation.”

“No. No,” Ava said.

“Ms. Hill, more than likely you have a concussion and there could be other injuries we can’t see right now.”

“No. I have to get to my daughter.”

Gritting her teeth, Ava gingerly tried to climb out of her car.

“Ma’am, you need to stay put.”

Ava ignored the EMT and got out of the vehicle. Her body ached, hurt in a way it never had before, but she was standing upright. And then she collapsed into Dominic’s arms.

“I’ve got you, baby. I’m so glad you’re alright,” he said rubbing her back.

“I bet I look horrible.”

“I’ve never seen a sight more beautiful.”

“Liar.”

Ava pulled back to look at him. There was a crease of worry between his eyes.

The EMT cleared his throat. “Ms. Hill, if you’re refusing further treatment, then there’s a form I need you to sign.”

Ava nodded, turning to face him. “Whatever you want.”

“Do you have anything in the car, Ava?”

“My purse and my phone.”

“I’ll get it.”

Ava was able to stand on her own as Dominic dug around in the smashed car and came away with her purse. Ava took the pen from the EMT’s hand and signed the paper. She handed the pen and clipboard back to him.

“Baby, are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital? You have a nasty bruise on your temple and your neck.”

“No. We have to get back to the hotel. I don’t want to leave Maia alone any longer than necessary.”

“Okay. We’ll go now.”

“Not so fast. Ms. Hill, we have a few questions for you.”

Dominic placed his hand on the small of her back as two policemen approached. Just great. This was the last thing she needed.

“Fine. What do you want to know?” Ava asked.

“For starters, what happened?”

“I was on the phone with my boyfriend and I noticed a black sedan following me.”

“Do you know the model? Altima? Maxima?”

“I don’t know. The car was behind me,” Ava stressed.

The two cops exchanged glances, before writing something down on their notepads.

“Why would you say you were being followed?” the brown haired officer asked.

“Because when I sped up, so did the car behind me. In fact it sped up and slammed into the back of my car.”

“What did you do then?”

“I tried to hold my car on the road.”

“Why didn’t you call us?” the bald officer asked.

“Because my phone had fallen to the floorboard and I was trying to keep from crashing, which I eventually did when the car hit me again and knocked me into the guardrail.”

The brown-haired officer took a few steps and stood behind Ava’s car. “There’s extensive damage and paint transfer.”

“Is there anyone you know that would want to harm you in any way?” the officer asked.

Ava shook her head. “No.” There was no way she was about to tell the cops what was going on.

“Officer Donovan and I are going to investigate what happened. Is there a number where we can reach you?” the brown haired officer asked.

Ava rattled off her home and cell numbers.

“Either me or Officer Collins will be in touch.”

Ava nodded.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?” Officer Collins asked.

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“Come on, Ava. I’ll take you home.”

Ava allowed Dominic to lead her away from the crash site. “Where’s your vehicle?”

“On the grass.”

They walked on the shoulder of the road. Traffic was backed up as another policeman directed traffic into one lane. They soon came to Dominic’s Hummer. He opened the door for her and helped her inside. She groaned as she finally sat down. Ava sighed as Dominic came around and climbed in on the driver’s side. He started the engine and looked over at her. His eyes were narrowed.

“When I find who did this to you, I’m gonna have his balls.” He reached over and slowly touched her face.

“I’m alright. A little banged up, but I’m going to be okay.”

“I would still feel better if you went and got checked out. Just to be on the safe side.”

“As soon as we pick Maia up from the hotel, I’ll let you take me, okay?”

“Alright. Where is she?” Dominic asked.

He turned on his blinker and prepared to move into the slow flow of traffic.

“We were staying at Rushmore Hotel on Fifth Avenue.”

Dominic waved his hand as another vehicle let him slip into traffic. “That’s about five minutes from here with good traffic. Who knows how long it’s going to take with the accident blocking one of the lanes.”

“Hopefully it won’t be too long once we get around my wreck.” Ava grabbed Dominic’s hand.

He brought it to his lips and kissed it. “If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do with myself.”

Ava leaned on his shoulder as he steered the vehicle. They crept along. Finally ten minutes later they were moving past her car. It was totaled. The front end was crumpled and smashed. The rear panel of the car had been hit so hard the panel had folded in and the tire was twisted sideways. The car was not fixable.

With traffic flowing again in less than five minutes they were pulling up in front of the hotel. Before Ava could unbuckle her seat belt, Dominic was stopping her.

“Take it easy. I’ll help you down.”

She smiled at him. “Okay.” She was too tired to fight.

Dominic came around and opened the door. He unbuckled her seat belt and helped her out. Closing the door behind her, he pulled her into his arms for a long, lingering kiss. He tasted of mint and safety. She eased back to look at him.

“You know just what I need.”

He smiled. “I try. Come on, let’s go get Maia.”

He linked hands with her and together they entered the lobby of the hotel. More people milled about than when she’d left this morning. They walked over the elevator and caught it as the doors opened. Ava leaned against Dominic as they took the ride up to where her room was. As soon as the doors opened, she pulled out her keycard and led Dominic to her room. She placed the card in the slot. When the light turned green she pushed it open.

“Maia, I’m back.”

Ava entered the room and froze. It was empty. A table was overturned. The bedding had been ripped off the bed and thrown on the floor. The curtains were yanked from the rods.

“Oh my God. Oh my God. They’re gone. Maia’s gone.”

“Calm down. Maybe Mrs. Valdez had to leave unexpectedly.”

“Dominic, I told her if I wasn’t back in three hours to take Maia somewhere safe and not before. I have an hour left. They’ve taken my daughter. They’ve taken my baby.”

Ava’s knees gave out and she sobbed. She barely registered as Dominic took her into his arms. Her little girl was gone and she had no idea where she and Mrs. Valdez had been taken.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Dominic, we need to call the police. We need to do something.”

“Ava, you know why we can’t involve the police.”

Another tear slipped down Ava’s cheek as they drove. Finding her child gone had rendered Ava so hysterical, she’d been ready to tear the world apart. Dominic had held her as she’d cried and raged about finding her child missing. Then he’d carefully rearranged the room and checked them out of the hotel. With Maia and Mrs. Valdez missing, there was no telling if the person that had taken them was still watching the hotel or not. They needed to be elsewhere. Somewhere safe. But to Ava no place was safe.

“I don’t care what they think of me, Dominic. If they can help find my baby, I’m willing to grovel before anybody. I just want my little girl home,” Ava said.

“Baby, I know you’re scared. I’m scared too, but we need to put this in perspective. If someone had wanted to hurt Mrs. Valdez and Maia, they could’ve done it right there in the hotel. There was no need to take them away.”

Ava looked at her lover. “What are you saying?”

“That whoever took Maia isn’t going to hurt her. This was done to send a message.”

“And what message would that be? We’re sick creeps who kidnap children?”

“No. Whoever is behind this wants you to know that they can get to you one way or another.”

“And what am I supposed to do now? Just sit around and wait? I can’t do that, Dominic. My child is missing.”

“You aren’t going to have to wait for anything.”

Dominic pulled into the parking lot of the new hotel they were moving to.

“How can you say that?”

“Because things have escalated. Whoever’s behind this wants you to know who they are. They’re going to call and soon.” He killed the ignition and climbed from the Hummer.

What Dominic said made sense. There was a reason her child had been taken. Everything was coming to a head and Ava feared what might happen next. Dominic opened her door. He had gathered their luggage from the trunk. She allowed him to help her down from the vehicle. Ava looked up at the hotel.

“The Four Seasons?”

“Yes. You’ve been in an accident today. You need to be somewhere nice to relax and recuperate before we have our showdown with who’s behind this. Please don’t argue with me, Ava.”

Ava raised her hands. “Fine. You win this round, but if someone has not called me about Maia before tomorrow evening, I’m going to the police.”

“Okay.”

Dominic offered her his arm. She took it leaning on him as they entered the foyer of the hotel. There was a small mill of activity around them. Walking up to the front desk, Dominic pulled out a wad of cash.

“I’d like a suite, preferably one with a Jacuzzi tub.”

The man at the front desk quickly went about taking Dominic’s information and payment and giving him the key to their room.

Soon they were on the elevator heading up. Ava leaned against the wall.

“Baby, you look beat.”

“I am.”

“Don’t worry. I’m going to take care of you tonight.”

The elevator doors opened and they walked down the hallway to their room. Dominic put the keycard in and as soon as the door opened, Ava was inside. She barely noticed the living room and kitchen. Instead she marched straight to the bedroom and fell across the bed. She was so tired. The adrenaline she’d been running on had finally been depleted. Dominic sat their bags down and came over to her.

“I’m going to run you a bubble bath. You look like you could use a nice, long soak.”

Ava nodded as he kissed her brow. She didn’t know where she’d be without him. Watching him leave to run her bath, another tear slipped down her cheek. He knew that she was hysterical her child was gone. So hysterical that she was likely to get herself killed as she rushed headfirst into danger. But he hadn’t let her. Instead he’d patiently talked her down from her hysteria, all the while promising to rain down death and destruction on whomever had dared to hurt her in the first place. She loved him for it. She really did.

A man who’d blazed into her life a few odd weeks ago and completely turned it upside down.

“Ava.”

She turned. Dominic stood in the doorway, wearing only his boxers. Her breath caught in the back of her throat.

“Yes.”

“Your bath is ready.”

Slowly she rose to her feet. The aches she’d suffered from the accident were really setting in now. A long, soak in the tub sounded like absolute heaven right about now. Removing her shoes, Ava walked into the bathroom. The tub was huge. Round. A beige color that reminded you of marble. Easily big enough for two people to sit comfortably. She removed her clothes as fast as she could. She winced a little as she bent to remove her underwear. Naked finally, she turned to face Dominic. His eyes were so dark they were almost black. A muscle in his jaw moved as he looked at her.

Ava walked past Dominic and looked at herself in the mirror. There was a dark bruise trailing from her neck to just under her right breast. Her right shoulder was bruised as well.

“I look like crap.”

Dominic’s arms slid around her. She could feel the evidence of his arousal, pressing against her through his boxers.

“No you don’t. I still want to make love to you.”

Ava smiled. “You do?”

“Yeah, but I won’t.”

She faced Dominic. “Why not?”

“You’re bruised. The last thing you need is me pawing all over you.”

Ava rose up on her tiptoes and stared into his eyes. “That might be exactly what I need.” She kissed him.

He tried to resist. Tried turning his head, but he eventually gave in to his desire for her. His tongue slid inside her mouth, tasting her. She moaned against his lips when one of his hands caressed her breasts. This was what she needed. To be with him. To try and block out the fear that nearly had her immobilized. She clung to his shoulders, but then he was gently pushing her away.

“That’s enough, Ava. You need to get in the tub before the water gets cold.” His tone was harsh.

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. Walking around him, she eased her body into the warm sudsy water. He stood watching her as she leaned back against the tub. His shorts did nothing to hide his prominent arousal.

“Join me?”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Dominic, please. I need you. Even if you don’t want to make love at least get in and hold me.”

He nodded. She bit her lip as he removed his shorts and climbed in the tub next to her. He really was a magnificent specimen. All muscle.

“Satisfied?” he asked.

“No. Not yet.”

Before he could discern her intentions, she was sitting in his lap, her back resting against his chest. His manhood pressed into her bottom.

Dominic grunted. “Ava, please…”

“What am I doing?”

“You’re tempting me.”

“I’m not trying to.”

“Liar.”

Ava smiled. Okay. Maybe he was right. She gasped when she felt his hand between her legs. Already his skilled hand had lit her fire.

“Dominic.”

She eased herself more fully onto his hand. She squirmed as one more finger joined the first inside her. Gritting her teeth, she grinded against him as her orgasm hovered closer and closer. Dominic kissed the side of her neck as he fingered her. And then she felt his tongue in her ear. Ava cried out as the orgasm exploded between her thighs. Gasping she sagged wearily against Dominic. He kissed her cheek and removed his fingers from her body.

“Satisfied now?” he asked.

“Partly.”

“That’s going to have to be enough.”

“But what about you?” she asked.

“I’ll survive.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Now relax and stop trying to coerce me not to act like a gentleman.”

“Fine. You win.”

Ava lay back and closed her eyes. The warm water was wonderful on her skin. Already she could feel some of the soreness easing away. Dominic’s arms enfolded her and she relaxed. Sex could wait and now that she took a moment to think, it had never really been about sex in the first place. Sex was a mere distraction from the madness that was her life. Maia was missing and Ava was scared to death. Her little girl was the most important person in the entire world. Ava sniffed back a tear and a thought struck her as she opened her eyes.

“Do you think Gina’s murder has anything to do with someone taking my daughter?”

“I hadn’t thought of that, but what do you and Gina have in common besides your friendship?”

“She’s referred some clients to me, but that’s it. Maybe I’m barking up the wrong tree.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Either way, we’re going to get Maia back. You have my word on that, Ava.”

She nodded and closed her eyes again. They were going to bring Maia home. She had to believe that with her whole heart. Anything less was unthinkable.

“Ava, wake up.”

Ava opened her eyes. She was lying in bed. Dominic sat next to her. She eased up slowly.

“How did I get in here?”

“I carried you. Duh,” Dominic said, smiling.

“I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”

“You don’t need to apologize. You’ve had a long day. I ordered room service.”

Ava sat up. She noticed that although Dominic had brought her to bed, he hadn’t dressed her. She sat up naked and leaned against the headboard. Dominic handed her a tray. She took off the cover and her mouth nearly watered. Shrimp scampi, one of her favorites. Ava eagerly dug into the food. Dominic settled on the bed beside her eating a rib eye. She eyed his plate. He caught her looking and smiled.

“Craving a little red meat?” he teased.

“I was but you decided not to give me any.”

Dominic stopped eating and just stared at her. It seemed she’d rendered him speechless. Putting her plate down, she carefully climbed over him and retrieved a bottle of water from the room service cart. Opening it, she drank half of it down before she took a breath. Dominic chewed on a piece of steak, trying his best not to look at her. She knew what had him so on edge. He was worried about Maia and probably wondering if he could get to her child in time.

The sound of a cell phone ringing nearly made Ava drop the bottle of water. It was her cell phone. She looked at Dominic, frantic.

“I’ll get it.”

He put down his plate and walked to where her purse was on the table. Quickly he dug inside and pulled out her phone. He looked at it before handing it to her. With shaking hands, Ava answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Nice to hear your voice again. Seems you made it out of your little mishap okay.”

It was him.

“When I’m done with you I’ll be the last woman you terrorize.”

“That’s pretty tough talk. I’d tone it down if you ever want to see your daughter again.”

Ava swallowed. “Where’s Maia? What have you done to her?”

“Nothing yet. The rest depends on you.”

“What do you want?”

“To end this. It’s time you finally paid for your transgressions.”

“I just want to see my daughter.”

“Eight a.m. The old Woolworth warehouse on Twenty-Third. The back door will be unlocked. Come alone. If I smell any cops, you’ll never see the girl again.”

The caller hung up. Ava stared at her phone.

“Ava, what did he say?”

She repeated what the caller said to her as tears formed in her eyes.

“It’s all going to be okay. Tomorrow morning we’re going to end this once and for all. I promise you. We are going to get Maia back safe and I will die before I let anything happen to her, or you. Trust me, Ava.”

As Dominic took her into his embrace, Ava sent up a silent prayer to the heavens. She was going to need an angel to get her through what was to come.