Laina Turner - Presley Thurman 01 - Stilettos & Scoundrels Read online

  “Presley, he’s only doing it because he’s worried for your safety. Right now, I’m worried about your safety, our safety. What’s the big deal? Two seconds ago, you were glad he called.”

  This was a fundamental difference between Katy and me. Katy liked that male attention. I, on the other hand, liked male attention just as much as the next girl, but only on my terms. One day it was casual surveillance on your whereabouts, and the next thing you knew, you were staying in the house all day doing laundry and cooking all their favorite meals. Independence, gone just like that. Poof! This was something I felt very strongly about, maybe too strongly, but I had been so hurt by losing who I was, all to be what the guy wanted. It was a pattern I intended to stop. “Katy, you can stay here if you want. I’m going. He’s going to have to work harder if he thinks he can find me.”

  “I sure as hell am not staying here by myself, so I guess I’ll go.” She grabbed her things and followed me out the door. “I just hope you know what you’re doing. He’s not going to be too happy when he gets here and finds out you’re gone, and I think we need his help.”

  “Well, he should have thought of that earlier. Besides, I need to teach him a lesson. I like him, but this pisses me off,” I said childishly. I stopped short when I saw headlights beam up the driveway. I felt a stab of fear and had a huge lump in my throat. What if it was the person who called? Katy grabbed my arm, and I could tell she was thinking the same thing. Fear changed into relief and annoyance, when I noticed it was Cooper’s SUV. Damn, he got here faster than I expected. Where the hell had he been? The end of the driveway?

  “Going somewhere?” he asked, walking up the drive and casually sitting on the porch railing. Looking good as ever in faded jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt tight enough to mold to every muscle. And it was the perfect blue to set off his eyes. I wished he didn’t look so good. It was hard to stay mad at him. Whereas I looked…I didn’t even want to think about how I looked considering I had on pajamas, no makeup, and my hair was in a ponytail. Not my best look by any means, and one I usually didn’t show guys until after a few months. It was going to take every ounce of effort to stay mad at him. Bastard knew it too.

  Cooper looked at me, eyes twinkling. He knew exactly what I was up to and the effect he had on me. I put my hands on my hips, ready to chew him out.

  “That’s a nice look on you, King.”

  “Shut up.”

  “What? I’m serious.” He leaned over to whisper in my ear, “You look soft and cuddly. I like that, babe.”

  That just about did me in, but I was a strong woman and wouldn’t buckle under pressure—not even this kind.

  “If you were really concerned about where I was going then maybe you should have called me like you said you would,” I retorted. “You know, instead of waiting until now when something has happened.”

  “Don’t be mad at me, King. Besides, you hung up on me earlier.”

  “Then you shouldn’t piss me off.”

  “Listen, can I come in or are we going to sit on the porch all night? It’s getting chilly.”

  “I’m fine,” I said crossing her arms.

  “Really?” he said looking at my chest. Horrified, I realized I might not feel cold, but some body parts did. But I wasn’t going to let that get to me either.

  “I’m fine.”

  “C’mon, Pres. Let’s go in. I am freezing,” said Katy.

  “No.”

  “Why not? Afraid to be alone with me?”

  “You wish. Like I would be afraid of you. Its girls’ night and you’re not invited.”

  “For God’s sakes, let him in,” Katy said behind me. I didn’t want him to come in, and I turned over my left shoulder to give Katy a dirty look.

  Katy smiled at me—she knew exactly what she was doing. She told me earlier that week that she thought Cooper and I should get together, even if just for a one-night stand, (though that was more Katy’s style than mine), but with Cooper, I thought I might be willing to make an exception. It made me sound morally bad, but I had a feeling he would be worth it. Katy thought I should live dangerously and at least try it, see if I liked it. At the time, I furiously protested, although deep down I wasn’t completely opposed to the idea. That man knew how to get me going, and I was sure it would be all kinds of fun.

  “Want some ice cream, Cooper?” Katy asked him as we walked in the living room.

  “No, thanks. What I want is for you two to tell me what you have been up to. What happened here tonight that had you crying on the phone, but now, five minutes later, you want me out of the house?”

  “What makes you think we have been up to anything?” I asked indignantly.

  Cooper looked at us, then looked around the room, taking in the spoons and almost empty ice cream carton.

  “You’re in pajamas eating ice cream for starters. I know with a woman that’s usually evidence of something bad happening.”

  “You really know women don’t you, Coop,” Katy said, giving me a look.

  I hit him on the shoulder and began to retort when the doorbell rang. It startled me, and for a moment, I was glad Cooper was there. I had no idea who it could possibly be and, after that phone call, was a little leery.

  “Want me to get that?” he asked, walking toward the door.

  “No! I am perfectly capable of getting the door myself.”

  I saw Katy out of the corner of my eye, trying not to smile. The doorbell rang again. Someone was impatient.

  “Hold on,” I muttered. I reached the door and put my hand on the brass doorknob. I had to admit I felt a little tingle of apprehension. That phone call had me more rattled than I thought. I was so rattled that I failed to use the peephole to see who it was.

  The door swung open and I couldn’t have been more surprised if it had been some lunatic.

  “Hey, Sweet Pea! Give me a hug!”

  “Oh my God!” It was Rick. What the freaking hell was he doing here? He stepped in and tried to hug me. I stepped to the side and put my hand on his chest to stop him.

  “Rick, what are you doing here?” I asked.

  “Baby, you don’t seem happy to see me, and after I came all this way…” Again, he leaned in, trying to kiss me or something. That was certainly the understatement of the year. What the hell did he think he was doing?

  “Why did you come all this way? I don’t want to see you.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cooper and Katy come into the foyer. Great. I was sure Cooper was going to have a field day with this.

  “Oh, I see you have company,” Rick said. I could already hear that childish tone of his coming out, and he had only been here two seconds. How had I not noticed it for so long? It drove me crazy now.

  I sighed. Might as well get this over with.

  “Rick, this is Katy, my best friend from high school who I always talked about. And this is Cooper.”

  “Good to meet you, Katy,” Rick said, barely glancing her way; he mainly focused on Cooper, who just looked back at Rick, smirking amusedly. Finally, Rick held out his hand. Guess he didn’t want to look like a total ass.

  “Nice to meet you, man.”

  “Likewise.”

  “So, Presley, is there somewhere we can go and talk?” Rick asked.

  “I don’t see what about, Rick. Whatever you need to say can be said right here. For the second time, I don’t understand what you are doing here.”

  “Sweetie, I came out here to see you and to show you how much I care. I called your mother to make sure you had made it safely. I was worried. You should have called me. I thought I could use a few days away from the city, so I came to relax and see you.”

  “Listen, Rick. I’ve told you a million times. It’s over. Go back to your bimbos. I don’t want you.”

  “Presley, you have to give me another chance,” Rick whined.

  I was so done with this. This is the last thing I needed to deal with.

  “Rick, I don’t have to do anything.”

>   “I can’t believe you are being such a bitch, Presley. After everything we have been through, you can’t see your way to giving us a second chance?”

  “Rick, just leave.”

  “Damn it, Presley…” Rick said angrily, taking a step toward me.

  “Hey, buddy. Presley told you to take a hike.” Cooper stepped forward. Chivalrous touch, but I didn’t really want him around right now either. I didn’t need him defending me. I was perfectly capable of handling this on my own.

  “Cooper, stay out of this. Rick was just leaving.”

  “You heard her. Stay out of it, this is between us,” Rick said.

  “Well, if you heard her, she told you to leave,” Cooper fired right back. “So leave.”

  These two were giving me a headache, but it was amusing to see someone else give Rick a hard time. He was so “city” in his pressed chinos, forest green Banana Republic button down, and brown loafers, in perfect contrast to Cooper’s well-used jeans and t-shirt, which was much sexier. Looking at Rick now, I just saw an uptight yuppie who was clueless about everything, especially his own appeal.

  “Why don’t both of you leave?”

  “Presley, if I leave now, this is it. It’s over, no chance of coming back,” Rick threatened, seeming to think I might actually change my mind.

  Was he serious? Did he really think after I had already told him a hundred times that it was over, because of his actions, that giving me one last ultimatum was going to make me change my mind?

  “Well, why didn’t you say so, Rick? I wouldn’t have wasted this much time trying to get you to leave.”

  “Fine, Presley.” Rick’s face slowly turned an unhealthy looking shade of red. “You’re going to regret choosing this…this country boy over me.”

  I found it funny that Rick was so conceited that he thought I would only turn him down if I had someone else. I glanced sideways at Cooper to see how he took the “country boy” comment and saw that he looked more amused than anything. I wondered why Rick automatically assumed we were an item. As long as it got rid of him, I didn’t care what he thought. Maybe he would finally get the picture.

  “Bye-bye, Rick. Have a safe trip back.” I said to his back as he stormed to his car. “Good riddance.”

  “You actually dated that guy?” Cooper asked.

  “Shut up,” I said, giving him a dirty look but not able to hide my smile. Rick wasn’t one of my prouder moments.

  I heard the phone ring from inside. I looked at Cooper. “Want me to get that? In case it’s them again?”

  Cooper nodded and we walked back inside.“Pres,” Cooper said. I looked at him questioningly. “Stand where I can see you. If it’s them, nod your head.” I nodded in agreement.

  “Hello?” I said somewhat nervously.

  “Hi, honey,” It was my mother. I released a breath I didn’t know I had been holding and mouthed to Cooper, who was still on the porch with Rick, that it was my parents.

  “Hi, Mother. Are you having fun in Chicago?” I sat down in the kitchen chair. I was so relieved that it was just my mother on the phone. I felt almost weak.

  “We sure are. I just had to call and tell you. You were right, your dad was hiding something, and you will never guess what it was.”

  My mother sounded happy, so it couldn’t be a bad thing. “Are you going to tell me?”

  “He’s been taking salsa lessons at a dance studio in Overstreet, so he could surprise me by taking me dancing in the city.”

  “That is so exciting! I am so happy for you.” I was relieved. I again wished I could find a good guy like that some day.

  “I know. I can’t wait to see his moves. Well, honey, I have to run. They’re all waiting on me.”

  “Okay. Have fun!” As I hung up the phone for the second time, Cooper and Katy walked back into the kitchen. Cooper opened the refrigerator.

  “Anything to eat here besides ice cream? I’m starving.”

  “There is some leftover lasagna. Help yourself. My dad has been taking salsa lessons to surprise my mom with. Isn’t that sweet?” I said to Katy.

  “Your dad is such a good guy. Most men wouldn’t do that.”

  “Then you gals are looking in the wrong places for men,” Cooper interjected.

  “You mean to tell us you would take dance lessons to make your lady happy?” I asked.

  “How do you know I don’t already know how to dance?”

  “You? I’m sorry; you just don’t seem the salsa type.”

  “You underestimate my talents, babe,” Cooper said, setting down the leftover lasagna and grabbing my hand to twirl me around, bringing me close to him.

  “Maybe I have,” I said, looking into his eyes and feeling the warmth of his body.

  “Um, excuse me. Should I be leaving you two alone?” Katy asked.

  I pushed him away. “Go eat your leftovers.”

  “Presley, Presley, Presley. You won’t be able to resist my charms forever.”

  Chapter 20I was meeting Cooper for lunch at Mama Risotto’s, the town’s improved version of the Olive Garden. It was family owned and very authentic. Last night, we decided to agree to disagree. He wanted me to stop investigating, and while it was kind of cute and made me feel good that he cared, there wasn’t a snowball’s chance in hell of it happening. I thought he finally figured that out after I screamed it in his ear loud enough. Probably tired of listening to me, he finally just changed the subject and asked me to lunch. Not one to pass up a free meal, especially with a hottie like him, I said yes.

  I thought he might regret asking me out because I was going to grill him over lunch. He still hadn’t made any mention of knowing the Daniels prior to his security gig or to the Vegas issue. I had waited and waited for him to make even the slightest mention of it last night and he never once did. In some respects, he didn’t really have any reason to bring it up again, I guessed. But in light of everything else going on, he should have. Maybe if he had told me, I would have been more apt to stop my search for the killer. Okay, I wouldn’t go that far, but he still should have told me.

  Last night we had talked about being a team, but I felt he was saying it just to pacify me, which is why I still hadn’t told him about seeing Helen making out with some guy, or that I knew that guy was Chris. I knew he was holding out on me too. The stuff he was holding out on was a lot bigger deal, and it really bothered me that the longer we talked about Vegas, and the potential Mob connection with the Senator, that Cooper still didn’t say anything about it. Helen kissing Chris was harmless; I knew Helen didn’t kill her husband. However, we had been having such a good time last night on a personal level that I hadn’t wanted to ruin the mood by asking him. Today was a different story. I wanted answers.

  I walked into the restaurant and saw Cooper already sitting down, talking on the phone. Torn between enjoying the view and wanting to knock him around the head, I had quite a dilemma. The server beat me to the table and was taking his drink order when I got there, so I was saved from having to make a choice.

  “I ordered you a glass of Chianti. Is that ok?” Cooper asked me. “I know it’s rather early, but I need a drink.”

  Poor baby. He did look stressed out. And I was always up for a drink in the middle of the day. It seemed so naughty.

  “That’s fine.”

  “Well,” Cooper said patiently. “Are you going to tell me why you are so mad? You were fine last night, so I can’t even begin to imagine what I did now. What do you recommend here?”

  “It’s all good,” I replied snappishly, kind of peeved he didn’t seem all that bothered by my annoyance.

  “What is wrong with you, Pres?” he asked, putting his menu down and looking at me.

  “I don’t know, Cooper, maybe it was something you said. Or didn’t say, rather.”

  “I said a lot of things, especially last night. I said many more things that were far more interesting than this case,” he said, looking at me lasciviously for a second before turning concerned. “W
as something out of line, did I say something to piss you off? I thought we were on the same page?”

  He was referring to some of the talks, and more, of a personal nature. There had been a lot of playful teasing and strong attraction between the both of us, and talking wasn’t all we had done, none of which I objected to in any way. Of course, that was all after Katy had left.

  We gave the server our order and as she walked away, I knew I had to start talking to him about some of what I knew.

  “Presley?”

  “I talked to Dirt.” As I said this, Cooper immediately tensed up. I paused for a second. “He needs your help, Cooper,” I continued.

  “Yeah, right,” he snorted.

  “Seriously. The FBI has taken over his authority in this case. His hands are tied officially, but he feels it’s his duty to find the killer.”

  “What does he need my help for?”

  “He needs some background information on Simon. You know he’s connected to the Mob. And, Dirt claims not to know that. Which doesn’t make sense to me because wouldn’t he have known him from the military?” I hoped this would be an easy transition to finding out what had happened all those years ago.

  “Why me?”

  “Cooper, Simon works for you, and you were in the military together. It stands to reason that you know more about him.”

  “I already told you earlier that he was Special Forces before he worked for me. He left the service about five years ago. He did some things here and there and then started working for me.”

  “Do you do background checks or something? Are you sure he didn’t get into illegal things when he was out doing this and that?”

  “Of course I do thorough background and security checks,” he replied sharply. “I run a reputable business, damn it,” he said, pounding his fist on the table. “But nothing out of the ordinary came up. He had references from another reputable security firm that I thoroughly checked out. The routine stuff.”

  “So why do you think Dirt’s claiming not to know Simon?” I asked again.

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged.