Текст книги "Both of Her"

Автор книги: Kathy Coopmans

Соавторы: Alisa Mullen
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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 13 страниц)

FOURTEEN

I pick up the phone and quickly call her, hoping she hasn’t shut off her phone yet. On the third ring, she picks up, practically screaming “hello” over the airport noise.

“Annie, did you see Camden at the office this morning?” I ask without any niceties.

Silence.

“Annie?”

Still nothing.

Just as I am about to take her silence as a confirmation that Camden was, in fact, at my office, she replies, “I wasn’t going to say anything, but Heath came by this morning. He said he left something in your office,” she says in a hurry.

“What?” I shout.

“He said he left his watch in your office. At first I didn’t believe him, but he was adamant, Luca. I am so sorry. I watched him go into your office. He checked your top drawer and I made sure he didn’t take anything. He was out in only a few minutes.”

“Well?” I ask.

“Well, what?”

“Did he find his watch?” I demand.

Silence.

“Annie, I don’t have time for this. You have to tell me everything.”

“No, okay. I know I fucked up by letting him in your office. Whatever happened last week between you two was obviously bad, but he’s kind of a dick face and wouldn’t leave until I let him in.”

So, I was wrong about Camden. Unless, he is working with Heath to fuck me over. And if that’s true, I don’t understand why. Why would Heath barge into my office, abuse me, both physically and verbally, before accusing me of the very same thing the two of them could possibly be doing to me? What do I have that they don’t? What have I done to make all of this happen?

I realize I still have my phone to my ear and Annie is still on the line. “Have a good trip, Annie. Don’t worry about anything. Just get some sun and relax, okay?” I try to sound nice, even though if she were here, I’d strangle every last breath out of her for letting that sick mother fucker in my office.

Right as I hang up my office phone, my cell rings. Not recognizing the phone number, I let it ring twice before I decide to answer.

“This is Luca West,” I answer curtly.

***

The police officer who called thirty minutes ago had much to share with me. Camden Steel passed the polygraph tests and his finger prints were nowhere near the safe in my dressing room. They still had him in a holding cell, but they can’t keep him for much longer without any more evidence that he actually has the jewelry. I asked that they keep him until I can get down there to pick him up.

I admit to the police officer that I believe Heath Landon is the person who took the jewels from my home. I also let him know Heath was in my office this morning. He decides to send a unit out this afternoon to comb my office for fingerprints. He asked me not to touch anymore jewels that are returned to me, no matter where they are.

I feel sick to my stomach. I have absolutely no idea what to say to Camden. A small part of me still believes that he has something to do with my missing jewelry but everything points to Heath being the thief. Did Camden let Heath in this morning? I called Danny right after I hung up with the officer to see if he saw anything yet. I ask him to fast forward to this morning, roughly around seven, when Camden left and I got into the shower. It had to have happened then. I just know it.

My mind bounces out of control with so many questions, most of which make no sense. Why did I automatically think it was Camden this morning? He left and texted me almost right away, wanting to see me again. That’s not something a guilty man does. Why did I immediately blame him when we were so intimate this weekend? Was there something more to me automatically blaming him? Was it because he wants me to leave my life as Lucia? Did I let my fear over take my rational thoughts? Am I scared to be with a man that wants me to change everything about my life just to be with him?

He makes me question everything I am once again. He is the only man that marks me inside and out. I feel sexy, smart, and intensely wanted in his presence. I’ve never experienced that raw intensity with any of the men I escorted. So, why did I impulsively throw him to the wolves? I am such a bitch.

I feel a migraine coming on and the pressure in my chest is killing me. I pick up the file for Steel Charter, the file I couldn’t find a damn thing wrong with, and make my way down to Mitch’s office. He is on the phone, looking out at his view of the snowy city. He is genuinely laughing and I’m jealous. That guy doesn’t have a care in the world. He goes to work, goes home to his family, hits repeat five times, before spending the weekends on family outings. The photos that line his walls prove that he is a social and loving human.

I realize that despite all the social calls I made in my past, I am not social. I am not loving. I’m a stone cold bitch.

He whirls around on his chair and looks at me with a wide smile. We are friends and I feel that even after all that has happened.

“What’s up, little Luca?” he asks, referring to my petite size and well, my naïve nature I had in college. This man knows the right things to say.

“Camden didn’t take anything. He passed the polygraph and there were no fingerprints on the safe matching his.”

Mitch furrows his brow. “Did they find any other fingerprints on it?”

I shrug. “I am supposed to head down there to talk with the police and get Camden. What the hell am I supposed to do? Someone out there took my jewelry while I was in the next room, Mitch. I am freaking out. I don’t want to go back to my apartment. And how do I possibly apologize to Camden after all I’ve accused him off?”

“Woah, woah. Wait a minute, Luca. He’s a guy and he really likes you. He isn’t going to hold this against you. From what you said, he was the only other person there. It was a clear assumption that it was him and I’m frankly surprised it wasn’t. Let him talk and then try to explain what you were thinking and feeling when it all happened. As far as a place, don’t go back there. Camden must be staying in the city, so figure out if you can bunk with him for a few days. If not, stay with me. My door is always open.”

A slow tear makes its way down my cheek and I feel like a lost, little girl. He rises to his feet and comes to pull me into a hug. He sways us back and forth and kisses my forehead.

“Go do what you need to do. Talk to the police. Talk to Camden and then when you find yourself somewhere tonight, check your email. There is a possibility I just landed Runner Run Magazine. I need you on this next account. And do not go anywhere without Colin. I mean it, Luca.” Mitch can be such a goof, but damn he is stern when he is dead serious.

“Yes, sir. Work, work, work.” I smile.

“You got that right, babe,” Mitch flashes a wide grin at me. “We have to beat our quota this year and a little ex-boyfriend and robbery action isn’t bringing Divider down.”

That makes me feel better. No matter what happens, I have a fantastic job with two extremely driven guys. I can’t begin to tell him what it means that he wants my head in the game, even after everything they know about me.

I practically skip back to my office, feeling rejuvenated from my little pep talk with Mitch. I see my voicemail light blinking and I hit the speaker button, retrieving my message.

A scratchy man’s voice comes over the phone, slow and deliberate. “Well, hello, Lucia. You look ravishing in your purple suit today. Were you missing some pearls? I made sure to drop them by this morning.” The voice cuts off and I hear me screaming out Camden’s name. We are fucking. This was recorded over the weekend.

The voice comes back over the line and I gasp at his venomous tone. “Fuck him again and you won’t see another piece of your jewelry. Understand me, Luca?” He chuckles until the phone beeps and the automated woman asks if I want to delete it. I press five to save the message. I don’t know what the hell is going on. Who the hell is doing this, or why, but god damn it, I will not let them get to me. I will not become a coward and hide away, letting whoever this is run my life, control my every breath, and every move. That fucker or those fuckers have no idea who the hell they are messing with. I believe it wasn’t Camden. He cares too much for me. I can feel it deep into my bones that I’m the one for him and he is the one for me no matter what. I’ll be letting the police listen to this message when I go pick up Camden.

Ten minutes later, Colin is opening the back door to the car with a shy, scared look. Shit, I was such a wreck this morning. I place my hand on his shoulder.

“You alright, Luca?” he asks. The sincerity is killing me.

“I’m okay. Things are just pretty fucked right now. I have some business with the Chicago PD, so let’s head down to headquarters,” I say as I slide into the back seat.

“You got it, woman.” His smirk makes me breathe out a sigh of relief. I am so fucking glad I have people in my life that let me have my privacy, even in the mist of all of this mess. I think of Lola and the fact that I have to call her. She is probably wondering if I’m still alive. I send her a quick text telling her I am thinking of her and will call as soon as possible.

Colin parks on the side of the road in front of the large building. As I start to get out, I realize Colin is trying to jump over a monster snow bank to get to me.

“No, Colin. Don’t worry. I’ll call when I’m ready to get picked up. I have a feeling I’m going to be in here a while.”

He doesn’t look pleased with me going in alone and I understand his reasoning. I think Mitch would have offered to join me, if he wasn’t the last standing partner at Divider. Once everything has calmed the fuck down in my life, I’m sending those two off for two weeks of enjoyment, so I can be the one to hold down the fort and they can have a break. But first, I have to get passed Colin to start getting things fixed in my life. I give him a look like he really shouldn’t fuck with me and he nods in acquiescence.

Before I get two steps away, he grabs my arm. “Luca, wait.”

I look back at him with impatience. “Yeah?”

“Do you think your life is in danger?” he asks. “I saw the way you were this morning. You were…really fucked up. I mean, are they going to be able to tell you what happened?”

“I don’t know, Colin. I’m trying to take everything one step at a time.” I exhale. “No, I don’t think my life is in danger. I think a greedy fucker wanted my stash of jewels and to fuck with me. I’ll be okay, but right now, I need to see Camden.”

He releases his hold on me and nods again with a small smile. “There’s never a boring day with you around, Ms. West.”

I scoff at him. “Shit, Colin. You need to go get laid. I can’t be more boring.”

He laughs out loud and I shake my head at our familiar banter. “I’ll call later,” I yell out behind me, as I make my way up the steps. The police headquarters is a busy place with people waiting, being hauled in, and victoriously walking out. I have absolutely no idea where the hell I am going.

I walk down a long hall to a bunch of doors. When I get to the first door, I open it and notice it is for the filing clerk. I walk to the next door and before I can open it, the door flies open and I run straight into Camden. He looks shocked to see me.

“Luca? Jesus, are you alright? Baby, I’ve been so worried about you all day.” He hugs me harder than I’ve ever been hugged by another human being and I start to cry.

“Fuck,” he mutters out. “What happened? Tell me everything.”

I shake my head and feel so damn stupid. “I feel so terrible for thinking it was you. I didn’t know what to think, Camden. Then when I got to work and found the pearls, I knew it wasn’t you.”

“What?” He looks like he is homicidal. “Someone was in your office at work?”

I nod. “I need to go talk to the police investigator on my case. There’s so much more going on then you know about right now. Will you come and listen to me?” I ask, feeling very naïve and hopeless.

“Of course. I was coming to find you. I am here to protect you. We can talk about all that other bullshit later.”

Why is he being so good to me? I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve his kindness.

Then again, maybe I deserve everything I am getting right now and Camden is just a small consolation prize. I give him a small smile and take his hand in mine as we head into the office.

I recognize the first officer I see as one from the scene of my disastrous dressing room this morning. He smiles up at me and quirks his head to the side, showing me which room we will be going into. Camden starts to follow behind me and the officer clears his throat. When we both look up, he shakes his head at Camden. My face falls.

“Okay, baby. I will be right out here waiting for you. Please, tell him everything you know. Don’t leave anything out, because we are going to find this guy and I am going to fucking…”

I cut him off with a soft kiss to his lips. “I don’t think it’s such a good idea to say such things in a police station.”

He chuckles.

“But Camden? What if the guy that’s after me is someone very close to you?” I ask, pleading with my eyes for him to understand.

He shakes his head in confusion.

“I think we are looking for a man named Heath Landon.”

He goes rigid as I pat his chest, before turning around and heading straight into the investigator’s office.

***

“I’m sorry if this inconveniences you in any way, ma’am, but this is an investigation, at this point everyone is a suspect.” I struggle to breathe. The sudden need to have Camden, Colin, or anyone who I trust in this room with me, as Detective Watts instructs me I cannot go home and I have to close the doors of Divider, until they do an entire sweep of my residence and my office has my nerves worked up.

“I understand.”

These days of lethal injections into my system are more than I can take. I am going out of my ever loving mind. It’s gone, drowning at the bottom of the lake in an undercurrent so cold and deep, I’m toiling with the will to survive. I stand my appearance on the outside resilient to this devious plan of someone out to destroy my sanity or quite possibly my life. On the inside, I’m dreadfully frightened of who this could be. I would bet every dime I own it’s not Mitch or Leo. No god damn way. Those men are just as much a part of my family as I am theirs. Annie and I have had a rough week, but no, she wouldn’t have the resources to invoke this upon me. The gut wrenching urge to break down and cry strikes me hard. I need to get out of here and find somewhere to stay. I will not show my weakness in front of anyone. I can’t. I refuse.

“Jesus, what is going on? I’ve been pacing…” I shut Camden up with a soft kiss to his perfect mouth. The way his arms wrap around me, holding me against him make me feel safe – at home. The steady rhythm of his heart pounding quickly in his chest when I place my hand over it, my palm spread just to feel, to know this man is real.

“I’m so…”

“Shh. No. Not one word. Not here. I have a cab waiting for us. We are leaving. Going where no one can find us, then we will talk.”

Camden totes me behind him, his hand firmly grasping mine, his body protecting me as we make swift, precise movements down the hall and out the door of the police station. For the first time since I’ve moved to Chicago, the blast of the cold air feels good on my overheated skin. I was suffocating in the Police Department.

“Colin, what happened?” I ask, coming to a halt at the bottom of the steps. I hadn’t expected him to still be here.

“I couldn’t leave. I’m your driver and your friend. It isn’t in my job description, as either, to leave you alone. Did you get any answers when you were in there?” he asks, looking pained.

I shake my head in defeat. I can’t remember feeling so out of control about my life ever before.

“Okay, well then, get in the car.” His eyes gaze to the door he is opening for me. While I’m not sure he trusts Camden too much after what he saw that morning in my apartment, he lets him pass.

Of course, the two men size each up like their anchors on a game of tug of war.

“Camden, this is my friend and driver, Colin. I trust him. He can take us wherever we need to go,” I offer up, doing my best to break up this nice little duo of piss meet vinegar on the streets of Chicago.

“I told you, we need to go where no one knows where we are,” Camden whispers in my ear.

“Will be right there, Colin. Thanks for being the true friend I know you are and waiting for me while I was in there.”

Giving Camden my undivided attention, I seek his warmth, wrapping my arms around him. I look into his eyes and see concern. I look back at him, trying to express I will be okay and letting him know I appreciate him, as well. I convey this with a kiss to his cheek, my hands rubbing up and down the stubble on his face. He looks tired and worried. It’s my turn to go into protective mode for everyone; especially Colin. He’s always been there to support me. I won’t have Camden thinking he is any type of threat to us. “I’ve known Colin for years. He would never do anything to hurt me. I trust him with my life, Camden.”

His tone edged with resentment, he replies, “He’s the only one, Luca. No one else can know where we will be.”

Well, I don’t know about that, but I don’t tell him this. I’ll eventually need to tell Mitch, Leo, and Annie. The cold that felt so good moments earlier, has now frozen my ass. After the day I’ve had, all I want to do is go lay in a nice warm tub, erase the grim of today from my body, and call Mitch, Leo, and Annie to let them know whatever work has to be done we must be done from home

“That’s fine,” I concede, releasing his handsome face. His firm hold on my neck shows his possessiveness right along with a hint of jealousy, I presume, as he helps me into the back of the car.

“Where are you staying, by the way?” I grumble under my breath. I decide to ignore the continuing pissing match between the two men. I’ve had too much for one damn day to deal with between these two.

“The Blackstone,” Camden replies dryly. “We won’t be staying there though,” he adds rather abrupt.

“The Blackstone is a wonderful place. Not too far from my office. I would love to stay there with you,” I reply, rather pleased knowing how close he’s staying from the tall building, holding my office. An office I cannot go back to for several days.

“Yes, it’s nice. However, you cannot stay at your apartment. I’m going to assume you cannot go to your office, so we are getting the hell out of Chicago.”

“Where are we going?” I ask, not entirely peachy with any of this. There we go again, another time with no control.

“I’ll tell you on the way.”

I pout at his response, staring out the window, watching the Chicago traffic zoom by while Colin navigates through the traffic. Camden’s voice is polite on the phone. Colin’s not saying a word. His pissed off glare, directed at Camden, catching me every time our eyes connect in the rear view mirror. I scowl at him.

“I’ll be just a minute,” Camden states, when the car comes to a stop outside The Blackstone. Camden steps out of the car for all of ten seconds, just enough time for Colin to finally speak.

“I hope you trust this guy, Luca, because I sure as hell don’t have a good feeling about him.”

I straighten my spine. “Jesus Christ, Colin. Would you stop? You know I appreciate your opinion and I get where it is coming from, okay? I get it all, but I do trust him. As a matter of fact, I feel myself falling.”

“All set,” Camden states, climbing back in.

“No bags?” I say, thankful for the interruption. I was about ready to say I’m in love. I must totally be losing my mind to even think such a thing.

“In the trunk.”

I shake my head, my brain rattled beyond comprehension.

“Take us to The Ritz Carlton, please, Colin.” Camden’s politeness is back in full swing.

This is absurd. Although the idea of staying at the Ritz is exciting, it’s unnecessary. It’s a nice, high class hotel that I’ve set up several of my prospective customers at, as well stayed in a few myself back when I escorted, which feels like an eternity ago, now that Camden is back. I hate this – all of it. Whoever is doing this to me has inconvenienced everyone I care about. Their hatred has absorbed its way into every aspect of my life, including my company. Here I sit, in the back of my car, wondering what I’ve done to anyone to have them coerce their way into my life; into the lives of my friends. Tears sting my eyes at my thoughts. I’m so afraid this person will not give up until they have obliterated me until I’m left with nothing. Maybe even until they end my life.