A Dozen Deadly Roses (13 page)

She’d let him kiss her and then he’d made enthusiastic love to her.  Five weeks later she’d learned she was pregnant.

Now, lying on the floor in her living room remembering the passion of that night, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders drawing him closer as her quickened heartbeat pounded in her ears.  He shifted his body, moving the bulk of his weight off her.  She loved feeling his broad chest pressed to her breasts.  She ached to rub herself against his flannel shirt.

Mac’s kisses trailed from her lips to her neck.  Jade squirmed with delight and dug her fingers into the muscles across his back.  A gasp escaped her lips.  She needed him closer.  She needed to feel his skin upon hers.

“Mama!  Are you okay?  Mr. Stryker, are you blowing air in my mommy?  Should I call 9-1-1?”

Jade jumped as if the floor were on fire.  She tugged at her sweater, which had ridden halfway up her rib cage.

“Donnie, everything is fine.  Mr. Stryker and I were practicing stuff for work.”

Mac leisurely made his way to his feet and gave Donnie a conspiratorial wink.  “Your mother needs to practice her work stuff a lot more.”  He turned to Jade and extended his hand to help her from the floor.  “Listen, Champ, I’m trying to convince your Mom it would be a good idea for us to go get some breakfast together - maybe the pancake house.  What do you say?”

“Yippee!  I’ll get chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream.  Can we go, Mama?  Can we?”

Jade shot Mac a disapproving look.  “You’re not playing fair.”  She turned her attention to her son.  “Okay.  Just this once – but you’ll eat something nutritious, not chocolate chip pancakes.”

Riding in Mac’s truck, Jade tried to be irritated at the way Mac had manipulated the breakfast arrangement.  But the truth was she was happy to spend more time with him.  No doubt about it, the man was sexy as hell and revved her engines faster than a ninety mile an hour pursuit.   Her reaction to his kiss made that evident.  But, in the future, she’d have to be stronger.  She mustn’t lose sight of the fact that if he knew he was Donnie’s father, he’d probably try to take him from her, or at the least demand joint custody.  No doubt he’d see Donnie as a convenient replacement for the daughter he’d lost.  No way was that going to happen.

At the restaurant, Jade and Donnie sat on one side of the booth with Mac on the other.  Donnie colored happily on the paper placemat the hostess had given him.  The smell of fresh coffee melded with the appetizing scent of bacon, eggs and syrup.  Mac and Jade sipped mugs of the steaming brew while waiting for their order.

Mac leaned forward to be heard over the din of the busboy clearing the table behind them.  “So tell me about your secret admirer,” he said.

Jade tensed. “What admirer?”

“The one who keeps sending you flowers.  First to the station and then to your apartment.”

Donnie looked up from his drawing.  “Mama got another present last night, too.  I keep asking her if I can open them but she won’t let me,” he said with a frown.

“Donnie, you just worry about your picture and stay out of the conversation I’m having with Mr. Stryker.”

The child’s eyes filled with tears.  Jade felt horrible for snapping at her son.  Why was Mac prying into something that wasn’t his business?

Jade gave Donnie a quick hug.  “I’m sorry, honey.  Mommy shouldn’t have been cross.  Keep working on your coloring, and your food should be here soon.”

She needed to find out who was tormenting her.  Mac was getting suspicious and even Donnie was curious about the many flower boxes she received.  She turned her attention back to Mac.

“So?” he said.

“So what?”

“Who’s the lucky guy?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“I just find it strange you’re getting flowers daily, but I’m not seeing any bouquets in your apartment.”

“How do you know I’m not keeping them in the bedroom?” she replied, proud of herself for thinking so fast.

“Well, I guess I don’t.  Maybe when we get back, I should have a look,” he said with an easy grin.

“Don’t hold your breath.  You won’t ever get there.  We’re partners, nothing more.”  Jade bore her gaze into Mac’s dark eyes, trying to send a strong message.  You are such a liar, she thought to herself.

Jade was relieved when the server brought their food.  They were so busy eating there was no more talk of the foil boxes she’d received.

A musical chime interrupted the meal.  Glancing at the display on her cell phone, she saw the call was from her father.

“It’s my dad,” she said, “He never calls my cell.  I’d better take this,” she said.

“Hi grandpa!” Donnie yelled toward the phone.

“Hello,” she said into the mouthpiece, while waving her hand at Donnie to be quiet.

“Hey, daughter.  I have some news I didn’t think should wait.”

“Dad, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.  This is good news.  Mona and I are getting married this Saturday in Las Vegas.”

“Dad, you’re kidding me, aren’t you?”

Jade saw Mac’s eyes fill with concern at the tone of her voice.

“I’m serious as a heart attack, lassie,” the older man replied.  “We picked Saturday because it’s your day off.  Naturally, we want you and Donnie to be there.  You can bring your partner too, if you want.”

Jade took a deep breath.  “Well, Dad, I’m happy for you, but I’m kind of tied up right now.  How about if we talk about it later?”  She listened some more. “Okay, bye,” she said, then snapped the cell phone closed.

“Bad news?” Mac inquired.

Jade shook her head in disbelief.  “My father and Mona are getting married on Saturday.  They want us to come.”

“I told you so,” Donnie said, nodding smugly.

Mac smiled.  “So what’s the problem?”

Jade brushed toast crumbs from her fingertips.  “I’m not sure my father should marry Mona.  In fact, I’m not sure he’s ready to marry anyone.”

Mac used his fork to cut a sausage link.  “Why not?”

“Mommy, can I get a red crayon?  The lady left one on the table over there.”

Jade quickly assessed Donnie’s request and saw a group of colored wax sticks left on a nearby table.  “Yes, go get the crayon but come right back.  I’ll be watching you.”

Donnie, clambered off his seat and scampered to retrieve the color he desired.

Mac kept his eyes on Donnie, but repeated his question.  “So why don’t you think your dad is ready to get married again?”

“I’m afraid he’ll fall off the wagon again.  I’ve been down this road many times with him since my mom died.”  Jade waved the air.  “I’d go over to the house and he’d be soused.”  She affected an Irish brogue.  “I’m sorry darlin,’ I promise I won’t have a wee drop ever again.”  Jade snorted.  “He’d go back to AA and sober up for a couple of months and then do the same thing all over again.  The way I see it, once a drunk, always a drunk.”  Out of the corner of her eye she saw Mac clench his jaw.  “Oh, I’m sorry.  I was referring to my father, not you.”

Mac took a long sip of his coffee then set the cup in the saucer with a clatter.  “No need to apologize.  You’re entitled to your opinion, and it’s probably not far off the mark.  And yet…you leave Donnie with your father on a regular basis, right?”

Jade squirmed in her seat.  “Um, yes.  Pretty much since he met Mona.  I couldn’t afford to pay an outside babysitter.”

“And didn’t you tell me he’s been sober since Mona came into his life?”

“Okay, you’ve made your point.  Maybe I need to reconsider my opinion,” she said.

Donnie returned to his seat victoriously waving the coveted red crayon.

“No.  You’ve stated what’s in your heart and in your mind very clearly.”  Mac turned to Donnie, “How ‘bout it, champ?  You set to go?”

“In a minute,” the little boy replied.  “I have to color the fire truck red.”

After they’d made their way back to Mac’s truck, Donnie made small talk about firemen and dinosaurs while Mac drove.  Jade stared out the passenger window of Mac’s pick-up truck, berating herself for being so blunt.  But what she’d said was true.  Her father had broken his promises about not drinking too many times.  It was easier to expect the worst – that way she wouldn’t be upset when he faltered.  She thought of Mac the same way, only more so.  He’d stopped drinking only recently.  For Donnie’s well-being, she wasn’t willing to take that kind of risk.

She glanced at Mac.  His eyes were focused on the road and he grunted non-syllable responses to Donnie’s endless chatter.

Pulling to the curb in front of Jade’s building, Mac walked around to the passenger side of his truck and assisted Donnie out of his car seat and set him on the sidewalk.

“Thank you for breakfast, Mac.  Donnie, what do you say to Mr. Stryker for the fireman’s helmet and breakfast?”

“Thank you Mr. Stryker.  If I had a daddy, I’d want him to be just like you.”

Jade felt as though she’d been kicked in the stomach.

Mac dipped to a short bow.  “Thank you very much, young man.  If I had a little boy, I’d want him to be just like you.”  Mac’s strong hand reached out and ruffled the boy’s hair.

Jade reached inside to retrieve Donnie’s safety seat.  Once it was unbuckled, she set it on the sidewalk next to her son.

“So, I’ll see you at work in a couple of days,” she said.

“Yeah, I guess you will,” he said popping a mint into his mouth as he walked to the driver’s side of his truck.

“Mac, I’m sorry.  I said something stupid at the restaurant.  Just because my father relapsed, doesn’t mean you’re going to.  I know I hurt your feelings and I’m sorry.”

Mac stood at the open driver’s door of his truck and motioned to her.  “Come over here for a minute.”

Jade cast a quick glance at Donnie and saw him playing with the car seat.  “Donnie, stay right there and don’t come out in the street.”

“Okay, Mommy.”  He perched the fire helmet on his head.  “I’m a fireman and I’m rescuing the baby,” said Donnie as he spoke softly to an imaginary infant in the child-safety seat.

Glancing toward on-coming traffic, Jade walked to the driver’s side of the truck.

As soon as she got close, Mac pulled her into his arms.    His eyes narrowed as he gazed in her eyes.  “I fight the battle of the bottle every day, Jade.  It’s not easy, but, so far, I’m winning.  Try to believe in me and give me a chance.”  He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

Jade’s initial reaction was to resist, but her body rebelled and she sank into his embrace and returned his kiss. He tasted of wintergreen.  Her heart pounded and her breathing was heavy.  Mac’s tongue teased her lips, flirting for entrance.  He groaned, as his hands slid down her back and cupped her bottom.

The touch of his hands on her behind jolted her from her passion.  She pushed against his chest, but his hands slid up to her waist to keep her held against him.  There was no missing the fact he was enjoying himself.

“We need to stop.  We’re in the middle of the street.”  She raised her voice over the noise of an approaching car.  “As much as I’m enjoying this, it isn’t the place.  Especially in front of Don-”

“Look out!” Mac yelled.  He tightened his grip and threw her over the hood of his truck.

CHAPTER 7

A boxy black SUV with tinted windows sped past, nearly colliding with Mac’s pick-up.  He jumped on the hood of his truck to avoid being struck.

Jade’s eyes immediately sought the license plate to identify the vehicle.  The reckless driver sped down the street and careened around the next corner.  She glimpsed the license plate frame and saw it was empty.

“Get Donnie inside and lock the doors,” Mac ordered, sliding into the driver’s seat of his truck.

Donnie!  In the upheaval, she’d forgotten about her son.  The little boy stood on the sidewalk with his lower lip quivering. “Mama, I’m scared.  What’s happening?”

Jade swept her son in her arms and snatched the straps of the safety seat and ran toward her apartment.  The booster was awkward and slowed her down.  She heard Mac’s tires burn rubber as he took off after the truck that almost hit them.

Once inside, she snapped all the deadbolts in place.  Then she went to her phone and dialed the direct inside line to the Watch Commander.

As soon as the phone was answered she started speaking.

“This is Jade Donovan.  I’m off duty and I’ve just been the victim of an assault with a vehicle.  The suspect is driving a newer black SUV with tinted windows and chrome wheels.  There’s no rear plate on the truck.  He was last seen northbound Etiwanda Ave, to eastbound Rinaldi St.  Can you put out a crime broadcast?  This happened about three minutes ago.”

“Christ, Donovan.  Even on your days off you’re causing me problems.”

Jade’s chest caved with defeat.  The voice on the phone belonged to Lieutenant Lasko.  There would be no fast action here.  Jade was tempted to hang up and call Communications Division and take her chances that the over-worked 911 operators would give her quicker response than she was going to receive now.

“Now, what’s goin’ on?  Someone tried to hit you with a vehicle?  Where’d this happen?”

With a sigh, Jade repeated the information to the Lieutenant at a snail’s pace, knowing it was too late to be useful.

When she was done, Lasko assured Jade that a unit as well as a sergeant would respond.  “Just sit tight.”

Jade slammed the phone back into the cradle.

“Mama, what happened?  Where did Mr. Stryker go?  How come the black car was going so fast?”

Jade pulled her son onto her lap and smoothed his hair, her fingers raking the fine softness.

“Don’t worry Donnie.  Everything’s fine.” She stood and carried the boy to the window that faced the street and watched for Mac’s pick-up truck.  Although she knew he was capable of taking care of himself, she imagined all the worst scenarios.

She also had to decide what she was going to tell the sergeant when he arrived to investigate.  Should she mention she was with Mac?  Would the story they were practicing Arrest and Control stuff hold up?  She doubted it, and worried she could get fired for lying.  She’d already tried to tell Lasko about the stalker, so she couldn’t get in trouble at work for hiding the fact.  But Jade wanted to have some idea as to who was responsible for terrorizing her before she went above Lasko’s head to report the stalker.  Knowing the department might feel it was safer to take her out of the field and have her work some inside job, Jade didn’t want to appear weak and incapable.  She needed to handle the situation herself.

Against many protests, she made Donnie lay down for a nap.  No need to have him interviewed.  This way she could come up with a story and not worry what he might say.

The wail of approaching sirens and the vibrating whirr of the police helicopter overhead told her she didn’t have long.  She picked up her phone, thinking she’d coordinate with Mac on concocting a story, but two patrol cars pulled in front of her building.  Setting the phone back down, she glanced at herself in a mirror by the front door.  Hopefully, the responding officers would think her frazzled appearance was the result of almost being hit by a car, and not the result of weaving the truth into a fabricated tale.

Jade recognized the two officers who got out of the lead vehicle and made their way towards her apartment.  She groaned aloud seeing Callie Lasko emerge out of the other black and white.  The witch must have thought she’d impress the captain with her response to the scene, Jade thought.

She met the officers at the door.

“Okay, Donovan, what’s all this commotion about?”  The lieutenant pushed past Jade, openly scrutinizing the apartment.

Jade related her hastily fabricated story.  She kept as close to the truth as possible, without revealing she and Mac had been together – much less kissing in the street.