Текст книги "A Few Broken Rules"
Автор книги: Kate Kane
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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 14 страниц)
Chapter 29
The crowd was on their feet as the team made its way on to the field. Both sides cheering loudly as the names, of the starting line-up, for their respective team came over the speakers. The Parker-Bellini contingent cheered loudly as the announcer said Jamie’s name and position. Lane waived even though she knew there was no way Jamie would be able to see her in the stands of this enormous stadium. Everyone remained standing for the national anthem and the game was quickly under way.
The opposing team won the coin toss and elected to take the offense. On the opposing team’s first possession, the Hawkette defense did its job and held the opposition well away from scoring so much as a field goal. The Hawkettes took possession of the ball on their 30-yard line and began their drive for a touchdown. On the first play, Lucas Evans threw the ball to Tyler Scott for a gain of five yards. On the next play, Lucas threw the ball to Jamie for another five-yard gain.
Lane’s knowledge of the intricacies of football was practically non-existent. She knew who had the ball, and that the purpose was to move the ball toward the goal; but how the downs worked and how many attempts a team could have was something she never quite understood. However, with Gabe doing a running commentary with the Bellini men, at least for this game, whether she wanted to know or not, she knew. The next play was another passing play that resulted in a gain of more than ten yards. The men in the family seemed to be quite impressed with the job Lucas Evans was doing.
On the fourth play, Lucas threw the ball to Tyler Scott who ran into the end zone for the touchdown. The kicker came out and the Hawkettes were ahead seven to nothing. The Hawkette fans went wild.
The opposing team answered with a failed attempt toward the goal. Braden Johnson intercepted the ball and ran all the way into the end zone for another Hawkette touchdown.
The game continued, and it seemed each time the Hawkettes scored, the opposing team answered with a score of their own. Late in the fourth quarter, with fewer than three minutes left, the Hawkettes were ahead by ten points and had the ball. Lucas Evans leaned back to pass, and an opposing team player pushed past Jamie to tackle Lucas. Even above the noise of the crowd, Jamie heard the crack as Lucas hit the ground. Lucas didn’t move and Coach Cooper and the team doctor went to the field. The game was delayed, as the Emergency Medical Technicians took the field and moved Lucas onto a stretcher. They loaded the stretcher onto a golf cart and then transferred Lucas into a waiting ambulance.
Jamie was on the sidelines now. Not only had the opposing player pushed past him to get to Lucas, the other team had managed to intercept the ball that Lucas was in the process of throwing when he was tackled.
Jamie watched as the clock ticked down. Even if the other team managed a touchdown, there was no way they could win. They couldn’t even tie, even if they went for a two-point conversion. But, this was the state championship and they weren’t going down without a fight. They managed the touchdown but missed the field goal and the clock ticked down as the coaches met in the middle of the field to shake hands before being escorted from the field.
The members of each team shook hands with the members of the opposing team as each side made its way toward the locker rooms. Jamie couldn’t help but wonder about Lucas Evans, there had been no announcement about his condition.
*****
Once inside the locker room, Coach Cooper told the team that he’d gotten word about Lucas. His leg was broken, but he was going to be all right. Jamie couldn’t help but feel at least partially responsible. If only he’d stopped that guy, maybe Lucas wouldn’t be in the hospital now.
After showering and dressing, Jamie pulled out his cell phone, hit speed dial to call Ben, and walked out of the locker room.
“Bambino, where can we meet you?” Ben said as he swiped the screen to talk mode.
“I’m just leaving the locker rooms on the east side of the parking lot.”
“We’ll meet you there. By the way, it was a good game.”
“Thanks, Dad. Coach told us Lucas has a broken leg. I feel like it’s my fault, I should have done a better job blocking the guy to keep him away.”
A man, who seemed to come out of nowhere, suddenly pushed Jamie into the wall.
“Damn right it was your fault. Lucas could lose his scholarship if his leg doesn’t heal right.”
Jamie was stunned; the wind knocked out of him as his whole body slammed into the concrete wall. Still he managed to ask, “Mr. Evans?”
Mr. Evans had pinned Jamie against the wall with his left forearm across Jamie’s chest. “Yeah, that’s right kid.” He said as he took a swing at Jamie.
There was nothing Jamie could do; there was nowhere to move as he felt the man’s fist connect with his jaw. Mr. Evans had taken him by surprise, but the man didn’t appear to have a weapon, and now that he was thinking straight, he needed to figure out a way to get away from him. He had managed to hold onto his cell phone and he hit the button to turn on the speaker functionality. Where were coach and the other team members?
“Mr. Evans, Please don’t hit me again. Coach Cooper said Lucas was going to be okay.”
“He’d better be; I didn’t go through all of this hassle to have you ruin things.”
*****
Ben put his phone on mute. If he could hear them, Evans might be able to hear him. He needed to keep the line with Jamie open and he needed to call Tanner. He looked at Lane. What to tell her, what to keep back? “Call Tanner and find out where he is.”
He looked at his brothers. Again, what to say? He didn’t have time to waste worrying about what Gabe Greer might be able to translate and tell Jess. In Italian, he spoke to his brothers.
“Abbiamo bisogno di arrivare al parcheggio est. il killer è il mio figlio”
As soon as the words were out of Ben’s mouth, Gabe jumped over the seats, sprinted down the stairs at break neck speed, and headed toward the parking area on a dead out run with Joey close on his heels.
Even though she didn’t understand a word that Ben had said, Lane knew the difference between the conversational tones of Italian she usually heard and the urgent tone Ben had just used. The way Gabe and Joey had taken off, left no doubt in her mind. Something was definitely wrong.
She looked at Ben as Tanner answered her call, “Roy, there’s clearly something wrong. Here’s Ben.” She handed her phone to Ben and quietly but firmly said, “In English. What’s going on?”
He knew he had to tell her, for her sake, he needed to stay as calm as he could. He took her cell phone and to Tanner, as much as to Lane, he said, “Evans is with the Bambino. Jamie had just called me when Evans jumped him. He managed to put his phone on speaker, so I can hear what’s going on.”
“I’m on my way, tell me where I’m going,” Tanner replied.
“Jamie told me he was on his way out of the locker room and heading toward the east parking lot. Can you get the cops there?”
Lane held out her hand as she started walking toward the exit, “Give me your phone or put it on speaker. I need to know what that man is doing to my son.”
Now that the situation had been communicated in English, Jess who was making her way out of the seats when she’d heard it in Italian, climbed over the seat in front of her, and was running, as fast as her five inch heels would carry her, in the same direction that Gabe and Joey had taken. Jake gave Meg’s hand a squeeze before he took off in Jess’s wake.
Ben took the hand Lane had extended, but he hesitated to give her the phone, “Red, I’ll put it on speaker. I’ll even leave it here with you, but you have to promise me you’ll stay here until you hear from me.”
Great, once again, Lane was about to be on the phone helplessly listening to some nut case threaten someone she loved. But, she was pregnant, and half the family was already running to rescue Jamie. She knew there was nothing else she could do.
She exhaled a rather large sigh, “Fine, I’ll stay put.” She handed her cell phone to her husband. “You take my phone and go.” Lane leaned in and kissed him, “Kill the bastard if you have to. Just rescue our son.” She whispered into his ear.
Chapter 30
Sure, Evans had taken him by surprise, but Jamie had at least six inches and at least 50 pounds on him, not to mention that Jamie was 25 years younger. Jamie had also been taking martial arts for the last three years and had black bets in two different disciplines. Once he caught his breath, all of those facts surfaced.
Evans was still leaning all of his weight into the forearm that held Jamie against the wall, but he wasn’t paying attention as Jamie dropped his cell phone into his gym bag and let the bag slip from his right shoulder onto the floor. With his left hand, Jamie reached up to rub his jaw; when he brought it down, he grabbed Evans behind the head and brought his own forehead to connect with the older man’s head. Jamie put his foot against the wall and pushed away from it, freeing himself from his captor.
Evans staggered for a moment, dazed by the head butt and a moment was all Jamie needed. He rammed the heel of his right hand into the older man’s solar plexus and followed that with a left upper cut to the man’s jaw. Evans staggered and fell. Jamie quickly flipped him onto his stomach and sat on him.
Jamie heard running and looked up to find Gabe and Joey staring, somewhat dumbfounded, at him.
“Hey, will one of you get the strap from my gym bag?” He smiled, “Let’s get this guy tied up.”
Roy Tanner came around the corner with two Missouri State Troopers just as Jamie finished pulling the strap of his gym bag around Lucas Evans Sr.’s wrists.
Ben, Jake, and Jess arrived as the Troopers were hauling Evans from the floor and reading him his rights.
His mother was the only person who wasn’t there to save him, so that must be who was still on the phone. Jamie bent and retrieved his cell phone from the gym bag pocket where he’d deposited it.
“Mom? I’m okay. Everything’s okay.”
Jamie looked at Ben, concern in his voice, he asked, “Why isn’t she saying anything?”
Ben hugged his son, “It’s fine.” He let go of Jamie and took the phone, “Red, you’re on mute and you’re scaring the Bambino.”
*****
Lane looked at the phone. She’d heard the entire scuffle, completely unsure who was hitting whom. I’m scaring him, she thought as she tapped the screen to unmute the phone.
“Jamie? You’re sure you’re okay? It sounded like there was quite a struggle. It was like watching Die Hard with the screen blank. Did he hurt you?”
Like watching Die Hard. Jamie wanted to laugh. “I’m okay, Mom, don’t worry. The state police have Mr. Evans in custody.” He rubbed his jaw and looked at Ben, “I’m probably going to have to make a statement for the police, but I’m okay, I promise.”
He handed the phone to Ben and walked over to his siblings. They each hugged him, and then Jess reached up and gently touched his jaw. “Jams, I can’t believe you just lied to Mom.”
“She’s right, Jandy. You just told Mom he didn’t hurt you. One look at that jaw and that story’s out the window.”
Jamie laughed. “I told her I’m okay, and I am. You both know it’s good that Mr. Evans is already in custody. The last thing he needs is Mom climbing all over him for hitting me.”
Ben listened to the conversation the kids were having, and had to stifle a smile. Evans was lucky he was in custody because if there had been anything left when Lane finished, there wouldn’t have been after Ben finished. He cleared his throat and handed Jamie’s phone back to him, “Let me talk to the cops. I’m going to see if I can stall your statement until morning or at least until after dinner. I’m not sure I could keep you away from your mother for long even if I tried.”
Gabe and Joey joined the Parker Kids.
“Some rescuers we turned out to be.” Gabe said as he shook Jamie’s hand and pulled him into a man hug. “Glad you’re okay, man.”
Jamie grinned, “Yeah, well, it’s the thought that counts.” He nodded at Joey. “Thanks, all of you.”
Roy Tanner approached them and motioned toward the exit. “The rest of the family is on their way to meet you. I called for the limo. Come on, let’s let Ben handle the Troopers.” He ushered the group into the parking lot. “Ben’s explaining that after the game you just played and the excitement that followed, you’re too exhausted to make any sense and that it would be better for everyone if you make your statement after you get a good night’s sleep. If you’re out of their sight, it’ll be easier to sell.”
Lane was standing near the limo, with the rest of the family. A thin veneer of calm shown to the world. As always, she’d been calm during the crisis, but tears filled her eyes as soon as she saw Jamie and she rushed toward him. She drew him into a fierce maternal hug. He stood six inches taller and bent, resting his right cheek against her head.
She patted Jamie’s back and whispered, “I saw your face. He hit you.”
Jamie patted his mother’s back and pulled away to look into her eyes. “Yeah, he got in the first punch. But it was the only one he got.” He wriggled his jaw back and forth to prove his point, “Really, Mom, I’m okay.”
Lane looked, over his shoulder, at Jake, Jess, Joey, and Gabe. Gabe tilted his head and lifted one eyebrow. “Really, it was all over but the crying by the time we got there. Jamie already had him on the ground. All we did was give him the strap from his gym bag so he could tie the guy up.”
Joey’s phone buzzed, “Bellini.” There was a pause followed by “Consider it done.” He looked at the family. “Ben’s on his way out. Everyone in the Limo. He motioned between Jamie and the limo. “You first.”
Lane looked at Joey and shook her head. Why had Ben called him instead of her or Roy? “What’s going on now?”
Joey moved his hands in a shooing motion. The Bellinis moved toward the limo. Lane did not.
“I asked you a question.” She said quietly but firmly as she stood her ground. The three Parker kids collectively held their breath. They knew that tone, and if Joey gave the wrong answer or, God forbid, didn’t answer, they knew all hell would break loose.
Jamie began moving toward the limo. “Mom, it’s okay.” He took Lane’s hand. “Dad told the state troopers that I’m too exhausted to possibly give a statement tonight. He’s just trying to make sure they don’t change their minds.”
“By hiding you from the police?” Lane whispered as they walked.
As Jess watched Jamie lead their mother to the limo, she leaned toward Joey and whispered, “Believe me, you just dodged a bullet.”
Roy Tanner held the door as the family climbed into the SUV stretch limo. His eyes were pinned to the exit where Ben Bellini would be coming out any minute. Why did Ben call Joey? It’s the kind of thing he usually calls me with.
Ben exited the building and tilted his head indicating that Roy should meet him half way. Roy closed the limo door and walked toward Ben.
“Everyone’s in the Limo except Sal, of course. The driver’s going to pick him up from here.” While Roy wondered about the call to Joey, he’d long ago stopped second guessing Ben.
“How much trouble am I in with Lane? I called Joey so I could have the conversation in Italian. I need to get Jamie alone and hear firsthand what happened before he has to give his statement. Evans was squawking about filing assault charges.” Ben let out a low growl. “He grabbed my son, popped him in the jaw and thinks he’s going to get someone to file assault charges against Jamie. The idiot has no idea who he’s dealing with.”
“I think Jamie smoothed things over with Lane for you. He told her you told the Troopers that he was too exhausted to give a statement, that you were just protecting him. You go with the family. Have dinner. I’ll poke around and see what I can find out at the station. If there’s anything you need to know, I’ll call.”
Ben nodded and turned toward the limo. It was just after 10:00 p.m. when Jamie had called him, but now it was nearing 11:30 and they still hadn’t had dinner. He knew Lane had to be tired. It was probably only adrenaline and worry about Jamie that was keeping her awake. Ben opened the Limo door, climbed in and took the vacant seat next to Lane. He took her hand and kissed her cheek. “Ti amo.” He whispered near her ear.
“I love you.” She replied as she put her head on his shoulder. She wanted to know what was going on; what Ben had said to Joey and the details of what had happened between Jamie and Lucas Evans Sr. Right now, more than anything else, she wanted to close her eyes and just relax in the bosom of her family and the safety of her husband’s arms.
Chapter 31
Lane awoke to darkness and hushed voices coming from somewhere nearby. The last thing she remembered was telling Ben she loved him. She smiled. Once again, she’d fallen asleep in a vehicle, and once again, he’d carried her to bed. As her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, she looked around. That’s right. The hotel in St. Louis. She closed her eyes again trying to decipher what the voice was saying. Italian, of course. She looked at the clock; she’d been asleep for over an hour. It was nearing one o’clock and she’d missed dinner. She lifted the covers to find she was in her underwear. Nothing new there either. She made her way into the bathroom, used the facilities, and found a bathrobe, which she was cinching with the belt when she heard the door open.
“I saw the light.” Ben said as he bent to kiss her, “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, but it seems I missed dinner.”
Ben ran the palm of his hand across her baby bump. “You didn’t miss anything, give me a couple of minutes and I’ll reheat it.”
Ben always stays at Marriott Hotels. They don’t have kitchens, how is he planning to reheat dinner? “Aren’t we in the hotel in St. Louis?”
He smiled, “Yes, Red, but we’re in the Presidential suite at the Ritz. We had dinner here.” He’d booked the suite hoping for a romantic, mini honeymoon, weekend but that was before they’d decided to go to Chicago Saturday night to talk to Phillip. “You get dressed and come out when you’re ready. The kids are still here.” He kissed her again and left, presumably to reheat dinner.
She was fully awake now, and as she looked around, she shook her head. The man was always full of surprises. The bathroom was complete with a marble tub, and separate shower and a sauna. She reached in and turned on the water in the shower. She slipped out of her robe and undies and stepped under the warm water. She took a quick shower and toweled dry. Someone had unpacked her things, either when they were at the game, or quietly as she’d slept. She dressed in a pair of leggings and a long cotton sweater and made her way out of the bedroom.
The presidential suite consisted of at least four rooms. Along with the bedroom, there was a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. She found Jess, Jake, Meg, Gabe, and Jamie sitting at a dining table. Ben was in the small kitchen. The conversation at the table was jumping from rehashing the football game, to Jess and Gabe’s upcoming trip to Italy, to plans for shopping in the morning.
Meg had her back to the rest of the suite and didn’t see Lane. She quietly asked, “Jamie, what time is your statement about the incident?”
The incident. That’s what Meg had called it. Lane closed her eyes. That was as good a word as any, for some lunatic murderer assaulting her baby boy.
Gabe cleared his throat as he stood up, and Meg turned to see Lane. “Lane, did you sleep well?” She’d known Lane for several years now, and they’d been close. The woman she knew wouldn’t be upset about the question she’d asked, but Meg still wished she hadn’t mentioned it in front of Lane anyway.
Lane smiled, “Yes. It was a nice nap.” She looked at Jamie, “When are you giving your statement?”
“Dad scheduled it for nine o’clock in the morning.” He glanced down at his watch. “Guess I should be heading to my room.”
Jamie started to get up, but Lane raised her hand in the halt motion to stop him. Lane sat at the table and looked at her son, “I imagine you’re tired of telling the story, but before you head off for bed, I’d like to hear what happened.”
Jamie nodded and told her about Evans coming out of nowhere and pinning him to the wall. He told his mother about the struggle, and how he subdued the older man. He finished with, “Those martial arts classes sure came in handy tonight.”
Ben came into the dining area and bent to kiss the top of Lane’s head. He held a plate of salmon and vegetables in one hand. In his other hand, he held a bottle of sparkling white grape juice and a glass. He placed the plate and the glass on the table in front of Lane. He opened the bottle and poured the non-alcoholic beverage into the glass before sitting next to his wife.
“Guess we should be going too,” Jake said as he took Meg’s hand. “I’ll walk you to your room.”
Jess looked at Gabe, “That’s probably our cue.” Jess tilted her head toward the door Jake and Meg had just exited through, “But they haven’t had a minute alone so far this trip. And since Meg and I are sharing a room, let’s give them a few minutes.” She looked at her mother. “So are you shopping for anything in particular tomorrow at Frontenac?”
Lane laughed, “You know there’s no sense in me shopping for anything right now.”
Jess knew that Lane was referring to her current “not quite ready for maternity clothes” waistline. Jess knew she’d be shopping for shoes with that new black Amex.
Lane continued to eat her late night dinner as Ben, Jess, and Gabe continued to chat. It seemed with this pregnancy, all she did was eat and sleep. Emphasis on sleep.
Lane looked at Ben. “So if Jamie’s statement is scheduled for nine o’clock, I guess that means the rest of us are on our own for breakfast. What time do you think you’ll be finished?” She asked as she carried her dishes and silverware toward the kitchen.
“I don’t expect it to take more than an hour.” He smiled that million watt Bellini smile, “You know how it goes. We should be able to meet you at Frontenac long before lunch time.”
Jess nudged Gabe. “We’ve given the love birds half an hour. That should be enough time for them to have said good-night.”
Lane hugged Jess. “I’ll call you in the morning so we can meet for breakfast.”
“That’ll work, Nana Evie told me to call her when we were ready.” Jess looked at Gabe and titled her head toward the door. “Come on, Greer. You need your beauty rest.”
As the door closed, Ben wrapped his arms around Lane. “I was beginning to think we’d never be alone.”
He began nuzzling her neck as he reached down, swept her into his arms, and carried her toward the bedroom. “I love the family, but I’ve been looking forward to a nice romantic night with my wife.”
Lane snuggled closer and began working the buttons on his polo shirt. She’d been looking forward to some quality alone time herself.
