Page 24

Presley woke with a start when she heard whimpering. It only took a moment to realize Gia was thrashing around, probably reliving her kidnapping. She snapped on the bedside light.

“It’s okay, baby, daddy’s here,” Dominic crooned to her.

“Help Presley, Daddy,” she called out.

“I’m here, Gia,” Presley told her, rubbing her stomach. “We’re both safe.”

Gia’s eyes popped open, and she blinked at her surroundings. “I dreamed Presley was in trouble. We had to save her.”

“She saved herself, honey. She’s here with us.”

Gia threw her arms around her. “I love you, Presley.”

A boulder lodged in Presley’s throat. “I love you too, Gia.” She met Dominic’s gaze, expecting to see censure since they hadn’t talked about feelings. Instead, his eyes were warm with approval, as was the smile curving his lips.

Presley turned off the light and settled on the bed with Gia in her arms. Dominic wrapped them both in his embrace. They fell asleep twined together.

Presley woke hours later and slipped out of bed. She felt like a slug for not working out once since arriving in Serenity Shores. She dressed and headed downstairs. Kayne was already up.

“Did you even sleep?”

“For a couple of hours.”

He’d said he was fine taking a life, but it had to weigh on his mind. She wondered if it kept him up at night.

“I’ve been going over Eddie Smith’s manifesto.”

“What did you find?”

“ Mon Dieu, he did not like you, cher . You were enemy number one. It was all about making you pay for what your accusations did to his family. His father is a saint in his eyes and can do no wrong.” Kayne’s phone buzzed. “Hang on, it’s Tyler.” He put the call on speaker.

“Hey, Tyler, Presley is with me.”

“Good. I’ve got voicemails for you to listen to from Ed Smith Junior’s phone. Sending them to both of you.”

They thanked him, and Kayne accessed the file.

“How did he get them?” Presley wondered.

“I pulled Smith’s phone after I shot him and had Tyler upload the information. I figured the police would be tight-lipped.”

“Genius.”

“Aw, shucks,” Kayne drawled as he opened the first file and played it.

“Smith, it’s Fitz. I found an old hag at the library who remembered the Parrish chick. She rattled on forever and made me read stupid stories about her. She kept going on about a group Parrish used to be associated with. Said they were tight. She gave me names and said they still lived in the area. I need you to get contact information on, wait, I’m trying to read her chicken scribble, Jessie Hooper King, Nancy Baker Babcock, Charmaine Dunn Wells, and Margy Binder. Also, Tamera Watts Pace is in Duluth. The old biddy didn’t have any numbers for any of them. Fitz out.”

“Fitz out?” Kayne scoffed. “Who says that?”

“Fitz, apparently,” Presley remarked. “He spoke with Ms. Wyden. I used to spend hours at the library when I was young.”

“There’s one more message.” Kayne hit play.

“Smith, it’s Fitz. I had to abort the plan to run Parrish off the road and kidnap her tonight. Listen, I’ve been thinking, the deal we made wasn’t enough dough. Now I have to fix a dent in my truck bumper. I want another two hundred thousand, or I’ll blab to the Parrish chick about you. You wouldn’t want that, would you, Smith? Fitz out.”

Kayne shook his head. “The guy signed his own death warrant.”

“I bet it was inked the moment Fitz agreed to work for Smith,” Presley remarked. “Never trust a career criminal.”

“You’re probably right. Smith would’ve gotten rid of any loose ends.”

Kayne’s and Presley’s phones buzzed simultaneously with texts.

Kayne groaned. “Great. They want me back at the Serenity Shores Police Department for more questions.”

“Me, too. I hope they don’t have to bother Gia again. I’ll let Dominic know.”

Before she could climb the stairs, Dominic jogged down. He gifted her with a smile, and her legs turned to jelly.

“Good morning.” He kissed her, and she wanted to linger. With a Herculean effort, she pulled back. “Good morning to you.”

“How did you sleep?”

“Off and on.” She rubbed a thumb against his lips. “Kayne and I have to return to the police station to give more statements.”

“Ugh, that sucks.”

“It does. Did you get a notice to bring Gia in?”

Dominic glanced at his phone, which was safe to use now that the threat had been eliminated. “No.”

“Good. Dominic, what are we going to do about the gala tonight?”

“What do you mean?”

“We can’t leave Gia. She’s already traumatized.”

“I thought about that. Jessie always sets up a babysitting room for parents at her events. I thought I’d call her and ask if she planned one for tonight.”

“That’s good. I don’t want to leave her.”

Dominic yanked her to him again, and this kiss was deeper, harder. She wasn’t sure she could end it. Kayne clearing his throat did the job.

“Sorry to interrupt. We should be going.”

Presley pulled back. Damn it, she was blushing like a teenager. She met Dominic’s gaze. “We’ll be back soon.”

He brushed a finger down her cheek. “We’ll be here.”

Presley stepped back and followed Kayne. She glanced over her shoulder at Dominic to see him staring after her. With a wave, she was gone.

#

“ Cher , you have it bad.”

Presley glowered at Kayne as she buckled her belt. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Yes, she did.

“That how you’re going to play it with me?” Kayne shook his head, obviously disappointed with her. “Fine. My lips are sealed.”

The drive to the police station was quick. They entered and were immediately separated. Five different investigators from a plethora of ABC agencies grilled Presley. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and others were represented. She repeated the same story to each one and had to relive Gwen’s death and the attempted rape over and over. It was embarrassing and humiliating. Memories of Rayburn from Internal Affairs accusing her of drugging herself made her blood boil. He’d been a condescending jackass.

“We spoke with Helen Deets,” one of the FBI agents told her.

Great. The cop who had driven her to the hospital but wouldn’t back her up against Smith. “What did she say?”

“She corroborated your story about Captain Smith’s attempted rape.”

Presley’s jaw dropped. “She did?”

“Yes.”

“Why now? She wouldn’t before.”

“She left the department and took a job in Oregon. Said she was afraid of speaking out against Smith when he was her boss. She implied he threatened her and bribed her by promoting her.”

Well, goodie for Helen for finding a backbone. If she’d had guts before, Presley might’ve still had her job as a detective. Ah, well, it had all worked out.

When they finally let her go, she returned to the bullpen where the meat of the police department worked. She felt sorry for Kayne, who had to be enduring excruciating scrutiny since he’d pulled the trigger on a detective. It didn’t matter if he deserved it. Anyone who killed a cop would be treated as a hostile. They should go easy on him since Smith had also shot a cop.

Speaking of . . . Presley took out her phone and called the number to check on Reggie. He was still in critical condition, but he’d made it through the surgery last night. They were optimistic. That was good news.

“Ms. Parrish?”

She slid her phone into a pocket. “Yes?”

“I’m Detective Little.” He shook her hand. “I have some information on your case.”

Presley followed him to his desk and took a seat. He proceeded to give her details she already knew from Kayne and her office about Eddie Smith’s manifesto and the phone messages. She faked an interest in what he was telling her.

“It’s no jump to assume Smith killed Bill Fitzgerald because he tried to blackmail him,” Detective Little pointed out. “Also, we spoke with Smith’s father. He was adamant that his son would never perpetuate the crimes he’s been accused of committing. He said Eddie defended the law and would never break it. Even when presented with overwhelming evidence, he proclaimed his son’s innocence and stated that he planned to file charges. So be prepared.”

“Tell him to bring it on.” He would be crushed under the weight of the CObrA Securities forces. In fact, she welcomed it. She would love to face him again. All she had to do was recall the image of his precious son Eddie holding a gun to Gia’s head, and she would go nuclear on his ass.

“Have you found evidence that he, or more likely, Fitzgerald, set the fires that killed Margy Binder, Nancy Babcock, and Charmaine Dunn?”

The detective shook his head. “No, nothing. We’ve combed through Smith’s vehicle and the motel room he rented. Not so much as a matchbook. We haven’t tracked down where Fitzgerald was staying or his vehicle.”

Presley clenched her jaw. She’d planned on questioning Eddie Smith about them, had even started to ask, but then Reggie had shown up and closed her window of opportunity. Now, they might never know.

“Please keep me posted.”

“I will.”

She glanced up to see Kayne exiting an interrogation room. He looked exhausted but resilient. He shook hands with one of the FBI agents and headed toward her.

“Okay?” she asked him.

“Always.”

“You don’t need to be a tough guy with me,” she reminded him.

“I’m not. They went relatively easy on me. Yes, I shot a cop, but he shot one first.”

Good point. “I know you must be worn out. You don’t have to go to the gala tonight.”

“Eh, free drinks, pretty women, I’m a go.”

Presley smiled. Always the ladies’ man. “Let’s get out of here.”

She filled him on in what Detective Little had told her, including the part about Ed Smith Senior wanting retribution for his son’s death. “He plans to sue.”

“Let him. I’ll bury his ass in court,” Kayne proclaimed. “The bastard shot a cop and held a gun to a child’s head. He didn’t deserve to live.”

“Agreed.”

#

Gia was ecstatic when they returned home. She ran to Presley, hugging her tightly before making a beeline for Kayne. He was so good with her. Presley smiled and glanced up to see Dominic staring at her intently. Oh, my. That look was fire.

“I get to go with you guys tonight,” Gia crowed, breaking the spell. “Daddy bought me a dress. Do you want to see it?”

“Absolutely,” Presley said.

“Presley, help me put it on?” Gia asked.

The girl could’ve wanted the moon, and Presley would’ve figured out a way to harness it and draw it to Earth. “Of course.”

Gia grabbed her hand and led her up the steps to Dominic’s room. She picked up a piece of pink fluff and drew it over her head.

Tears pricked Presley’s eyes. She looked like a fairy. Even though Gia was a tomboy like Presley had been, it was special. “It’s gorgeous.”

“I know, right? Daddy showed me your picture, and I thought this dress matched.”

Gia flipped her phone around, and Presley stared at the snap of her from years ago, attending the homecoming dance with Gwen and Dominic when they’d been sophomores and she’d been Gia’s age. She’d worn a frilly pink dress she’d fallen in love with at first sight. Gwen had insisted on buying it for her. Presley remembered how she’d felt pulling it on and staring at her reflection in the mirror.

After Gwen’s death, she’d shunned anything girly like dresses, pink, and taffeta. Even though she’d continued to cheer throughout high school, she’d also played softball and soccer. She’d preferred jerseys and dark clothes to anything frilly.

“You’ll look like a princess,” Presley said around a lump in her throat.

“I don’t care about that,” Gia exclaimed. “I want to look like you.”

#

Dominic watched Gia tug Presley up the stairs, his heart feeling so full that he feared it would burst from his chest. Seeing his daughter happy was everything to him.

To stem the emotion that clogged his throat, he asked Kayne, “How did the questioning go?”

“As good as possible.” Kayne filled him in on the interrogation.

Dom’s phone buzzed. It was Ric Berg, the local fire inspector. He excused himself and answered.

“I wanted to give you a heads-up on the house fire yesterday. The deceased has been identified as Nora Hinton. She was already dead when the blaze started in her bedroom. Gasoline was the accelerant.”

That was what Dominic had deduced as the cause. “Murder?”

“Yes. The investigators broke the husband relatively easily. He admitted to killing his wife and setting the house ablaze as a cover. Apparently, he’d read about the other fires. He’d wanted to get rid of his wife for a while and figured it was the best way to eliminate her while pocketing the life and house insurance money and blaming a murderer.”

“Idiot,” Dominic muttered.

“Oh, he was. A novice could’ve followed the clues. Every one led to him.”

“Did they have children?”

“Thankfully, no.”

One bright spot. “Thanks for letting me know.”

He disconnected and glanced at his watch. It was time to get ready for the gala. He had no desire to go, but it was for a good cause, and Gia had been excited when he’d told her about it. They’d shopped online for a local dress and had it delivered. When it had arrived, she’d screamed with happiness. It was precisely what she’d wanted.

Dom climbed the stairs and entered his bedroom. It was empty, but the door across the hall was closed. He figured Gia and Presley were getting ready together.

After a shower and shave, Dominic checked his reflection in the mirror, adjusting the bow tie on his tux. The last thing he wanted to do was socialize with the movers and shakers of Serenity Shores and the surrounding cities when Presley was about to waltz out of his life. How was he supposed to say goodbye to her?

Once he was satisfied with his look, he headed down the steps. Presley’s door was still closed. Guilt assailed him that she was caring for his daughter when he was available to do the job.

Kayne was already dressed when Dominic entered the living room.

“I hate black-tie events,” Kayne muttered.

“Same,” Dominic agreed. Even though part of his job was to schmooze the affluent population of Serenity Shores, he didn’t enjoy it.

“I thought you’d head home,” Dom told Kayne.

“I had the tux, so I might as well use it.”

“The food is always delicious at these events, and there’s an open bar.”

“That’ll help,” Kayne agreed.

“Daddy, look at me.”

Gia skipped into the room, looking like a younger version of her beauty queen mother. Her black hair was styled in fat curls that waved around her shoulders. Her poofy pink dress was adorable. He had trouble aligning this version of Gia to his tomboy daughter. She’d never wanted to wear a dress before.

He crouched down. “You look so beautiful, honey.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” She twirled. “Presley helped me.”

Presley walked in, and time stood still. Dom slowly rose to his feet. Gia said something, but he’d gone deaf. The only sound that penetrated was his pounding heartbeat.

Presley didn’t need cosmetics or fancy clothes to look amazing, but with her blonde hair curling around her shoulders like Gia’s, makeup highlighting her perfect features, and a dress that showed off her toned figure, she was exquisite.

“Did you hear me, Dad?”

He blinked down at his daughter. “What did you say?”

“That Presley fixed my hair. Do you like it?”

He picked up a curl and let it fall back into place. “I love it.”

“Me too.”

“You two clean up nicely,” Presley gestured between him and Kayne.

“Not so bad yourself, Elvis,” Kayne drawled. “And you, Miss Gia, ma belle, are a vision.”

She hid her face and giggled like Presley used to do when Dominic was around. He met Presley’s gaze and smiled.

#

Presley thought she’d done a respectable job of mentally preparing herself to see Dominic in his tux. She’d failed. It was all she could do to remember to inhale and exhale. She finally understood the phrase mouthwateringly gorgeous because he was every bit that. The crisp white shirt accentuated his tan skin and black hair. The jacket hugged his tall, muscular frame. She had to dab her lips to make sure she wasn’t drooling.

Kayne looked sensational, too, and he would be a hit with all the single ladies and some of the married ones. At any other time, he would be the best-looking man in the room. He was an inch taller than Dominic, slightly more muscular, and his green eyes were mesmerizing. Throw in that Cajun accent, and women would throw their panties—and themselves—at his feet.

“Ya’ll ready to roll?” Kayne asked.

At their confirmation, Kayne grabbed Gia’s suitcase while Dominic snapped a leash on Major and handed it to Gia. They were dropping the lab and their belongings at Dominic’s house. If the gala went late, he didn’t want Major to be uncomfortable or make a mess in the rental home. Major would have access to a doggy door at Dominic’s, so he could come and go as needed.

Gia skipped beside Kayne, chattering away with Major trotting at her side. Presley was suddenly jerked back and wrapped in a firm embrace.

“I’ve never seen anyone as breathtakingly stunning as you, Presley,” Dominic murmured before crushing his mouth to hers. The way he addled her brain should be frightening, but she was learning to roll with it.

She stumbled when he pulled back and said, “To be continued.”

It took her a moment to gather her faculties. When she did, she bumped a shoulder into him. “Right back at you, Mr. Bianchi. That tux was made for you.”

“This old thing?”

He smiled, winked, and brushed another kiss against her lips before climbing into the back seat with Gia. Kayne drove, so Presley claimed the passenger seat. She forced her mind off Dominic and onto the gala. At some point tonight, she planned on pulling Jessie aside and demanding to know what had happened between the Cheerios that caused them to lose touch. Hopefully, Jessie would be honest with her. She’d deflected Presley’s questions before, but she intended to find out the answer before she left tonight.

Several cars were already in the queue when they arrived. The guard at the security booth checked their names and waved them through. “Follow the line of cars. A valet will park your vehicle. Enjoy the gala.”

“I’m not letting anyone inside the SUV without me,” Kayne warned them. Presley agreed. A plethora of weapons filled the back, some highly classified. It wasn’t safe, especially if they fell into the wrong hands. “I’ll drop you three off and park myself.”

When they arrived at the front of the line, Kayne shifted into park.

Presley let Dominic and Gia slide out first before turning to Kayne. “You carrying?”

He gaped at her. “Are you being serious right now? I’m always packing, cher .”

Her brows raised. “I mean a gun.”

His green eyes twinkled. “That too.”

With an exasperated sigh, she slid out and joined Dominic and Gia. Gia grabbed each of their hands and they climbed the steps. She thanked the man holding the door and entered the grand foyer. It had been decorated for the event with fairy lights, illuminated boxwood trees, and flower garlands.

“Presley, my dear, you made it!”

She turned to see Jessie hurrying her way, looking elegant in a sequined red dress with matching heels. Jessie embraced her, and Presley got a whiff of alcohol, but not as strong as the other day.

Jessie framed Presley’s face. “Look at you, Pep. You could be a supermodel.” She turned and hugged Dominic and then greeted Gia. “Hello, Gia. Aren’t you adorable? You remind me of Pep.”

“Who’s Pep?” Gia wanted to know.

“Presley when she was younger.”

Gia clapped her hands together. “And I look like her? Yay!”

Jessie smiled. “If you all want to follow me, I’ll show you to the kids’ room.”

#

Kayne rolled to a stop and let Presley, Dominic, and Gia out at the steps leading to the mansion. “Meet you inside.”

At the knock on his window, he rolled it down to see a teenager smiling at him.

“I’ll park your car, sir.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll do it myself.”

“We’re not supposed to let you. If you step out, I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, but no. Just point me in the right direction.”

The teen frowned, noticed Kayne’s determined expression, and sighed. “Okay.” He reluctantly told him where to go.

Kayne thanked him and motored away. He spotted the large lot with cars parked in rows. He backed into a space, turned off the ignition, and jumped out. Golf carts were ferrying valets back to the house, but it was less than a quarter mile. He decided to walk. He lurched back as a white van came screaming down the road, watching as it skidded into the spot next to him. The words “St. Louis County Medical Examiner” were stenciled in black on the side. A woman in an emerald-green dress slid out and hurried over to him.

“You must be the man who refused the valet service.”

“I am.”

She patted his shoulder. “Good for you. I came from work and wasn’t about to let a pimply-faced high school kid who’s only had his license for a few months drive my van. I think I offended him. Then he said the man in front of me said the same thing.”

Kayne chuckled. “I did.”

She extended her hand. “Val Anders. I’m the county ME.”

“Kayne Serruto. How long have you been the medical examiner?”

“Only a few months,” she admitted as she brushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I got thrown into the fire, literally. I’ve never seen so many smoke inhalation deaths in such a short period of time.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I can’t seem to leave the job behind.”

Kayne laughed. “I hear you. I’m the same way.”

“Are you from around here?”

“Nope. Just visiting a friend.” His presence in town was on a need-to-know basis. She didn’t.

They arrived at the house and climbed the stairs. A man in a black tux opened the door and held it for them. Decadent scents filled the air, and haunting chords from a string orchestra mixed with the din of chatter.

Kayne turned to the ME. “It was nice to meet you, Val.”

“You too, Kayne. I hope to see you later.”

He didn’t miss the gleam in her eyes. With a nod, he turned and entered the foyer.

“My, my, who do we have here? Are you crashing my party? If so, I wholeheartedly approve.”

He glanced over to see a woman in red descending the curving staircase. Her dark hair was piled on her head, with curly wisps framing her neck. Diamonds winked from her ears and around her throat. She looked moneyed. In one hand, she held a flute of champagne. The other she offered to him. “Jessie King.”

Ah, the party organizer. This was her house. “Kayne Serruto.”

Her eyes lit with recognition. “You’re Presley’s friend.”

“I am.”

The woman’s gaze raked his body. “She didn’t tell me how gorgeous you were, Kayne Serruto.”

“Uh, thanks?”

Jessie slid her arm around his and gasped. She squeezed his biceps. “Oh, my, aren’t you the strong one?”

One of the waitstaff passed, toting a tray of champagne. Jessie stopped him, placed her empty on the tray, and took a fresh one for each of them, handing Kayne his. He thanked her, and she grasped his arm again and leaned close.

“You smell divine.”

“Thanks. The wife of one of my coworkers produces a line of men’s aftershave and cologne.”

“I assume she’s successful because I could eat you up.” He flinched when she growled and licked his neck. “Let me show you around the house.” Out of the side of her mouth, she said, “We have ten bedrooms.”

“There you are, Kayne.”

He let out a relieved sigh. Saved by Presley. She and Dominic came over to them.

“I was about to show your friend around,” Jessie said as she took a sip. “You didn’t tell me how hot he was, Pep.”

Kayne raised a brow and mouthed, “Pep?”

She frowned at him. “I need to talk to Kayne.”

Someone called Jessie’s name, and she grumped, “It’s the mayor. I have to go stroke his massive ego. I’ll catch up with you soon, Kayne.” She winked, licked her lips, and slapped his butt.

He jumped at the contact.

“She’s set her sights on you, Serruto,” Presley smirked.

“Isn’t she married?”

“On paper only,” Dominic informed him. “Affair is her middle name.”

“Ah. Great. So, Pep. What’s that about?”

“My initials. They called me that when I was a cheerleader.”

Kayne chuckled and shook his head. “I still can’t process that fact.”

She slugged him. Hard.

“Ow.” He rubbed the spot. “What was that for?”

“For being a jackass.”

“Why?”

“You didn’t think I was feminine enough to wear short skirts and wave pom-poms.”

“All right, point taken. But I’ve seen you go up against Dante Costa and hold your own. Anyone who can do that is a beast.”