Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 (10 page)

R
idge didn’t make
him a liar. Two hours before his appointment, Ridge drove up in his personal vehicle. “Hey, bud. Thought you might like a lift to the doctor’s office.”

“Delilah called you didn’t she?” asked Luc.

“She’s just looking out for you. And I checked. Dr. Spencer said you really shouldn’t be driving until you at least get over the concussion. But he does want to check to see if the swelling has gone down. How are you feeling?”

“Ready to get back to work.”

Ridge laughed. “No doubt. I haven’t got many jobs for a beat up Highlander, but maybe I can find something for a war ravaged wounded hero type.” He rubbed his jaw. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. Let me think on it ’til tomorrow. What time’s your appointment?”

“One-thirty. Want something to drink? There’s a canned Coke in the frig.”

Ridge nodded and walked into the kitchen. Luc heard the refrigerator open and then Ridge said, “Who brought cobbler?”

“Don’t touch—er, sorry. I’d offer you some but I, uh, don’t think the cook—”

Ridge leaned out the opening to the kitchen, eyeing Luc. “You don’t think the cook what?” his eyebrows adding to the inquiry.

“I wouldn’t eat anything she cooks, that’s all. I just accepted it to be polite.”

Ridge shrugged and walked back into the room. “Well, if you’re ready to go and feel up to it, I’ll buy you lunch, your choice, before we head over to Dr. Spencer’s.”

“Maxwell’s?” Luc’s mouth watered.

“Sounds great.”

L
uc stretched
his legs out under the table and sighed, “Nothin’ like the perfect steak to make a man feel like he’s gonna live.”

Ridge’s eyes narrowed. “I think you’ve just owned up to how badly you felt this morning. So how are you really?”

“I’m fine. I actually do feel better now than I did yesterday and this morning. Of course, I still have some meds in me, but the headache is finally quieting to a dull throb and as long as I don’t bump the shoulder on anything, I feel almost normal.”

Ridge said, “I’m seriously thinking about doing a shoot with you all banged up.” Luc leaned forward and Ridge held up his hands, “Whoa, not this week. I’m sure you’ll be colored up good next week and feel more like posing.” He grinned.

He sat back as the waiter took their plates. “Luc—not to cause trouble between you and Delilah, but she mentioned a problem…”

Luc grimaced, this time, not from pain. After spending fourteen years in the Navy he reckoned he was capable of handling just about any situation. He’d also grown up in a house full of, as Delilah had put it, formidable women; had learned to appreciate the female species, his clan anyway, for knowing what they wanted and overcoming whatever odds to achieve it. Just look at his mother. But he was beginning to realize not all women were cut from the same cloth. Not even close.

“Do you know anything about my family?”

“I’m ashamed to say I don’t, Luc. Why, is something wrong with one of them?”

“No, no. I was just going to give you a little background. You’d think I was embarrassed about it and I’m not, but it seems a bit unusual to a lot of people after they get to know me. I’m the youngest of six children.”

“I had no idea. But big families aren’t that rare.”

“And…I’m the only boy.”

“Wow.”

“Not only that, but I was raised by my dad and sisters.”

“Is your mom gone?”

“Oh, she was gone, all right.” Luc chuckled. “She was career Navy until I was two. Then she retired and came home to raise me, not that I was a problem or anything. Dad already had his hands full when my oldest sister got married, and the other one got pregnant…so she figured it was time.”

Eyes filled with humor looked back at Luc. “Raised by a bunch of she-wolves.”

“You know, you’re not far off. Besides what Del said, they are also bossy, intelligent, beautiful, and give the phrase pack-mentality a whole new tenor. But they are not vicious, jealous, deceitful, overbearing, or lecherous.”

The man across from Luc waited patiently for him to put his problem into words.

“All that to say, that’s the kind of women I’m used to.”

“So the problem is…”

“Mercy Love.” Luc watched as Ridge steepled his fingertips, his face inscrutable. “I was going to say something last week. The thing is, Ridge, if I had a problem with you or another man, I’d know what to do. I’d handle it. This feels… a little like a boy whining to his daddy—”

“Don’t.” Ridge threw his napkin on the tablecloth and sighed. “I’ll learn one of these days to listen to my wife. She told me not to hire Mercy. But she came with great references and you have to admit she can tune her look to fill a lot of genres—Regency, viking, temptress, country, warrior—well, that last was a stretch.”

They both laughed.

Ridge’s lips pursed. “What did she do?”

Luc told him about her unwanted advances during the shoot and when Del visited the studio, but didn’t mention when she’d come by his house or that she’d brought cobbler. That wasn’t his boss’ problem. She wouldn’t get by him again.

“I’ll have a talk with her.”

“I don’t know…” Luc was still hesitant.

“Look, we may be shooting sexy scenes for romance novels but sexual harassment is against our policy. It gets in the way of production, and it’s illegal. When you return to work, she’ll be a whole different woman, or she’ll be gone.”

Luc wasn’t going to hold his breath on Mercy taking criticism, but he was relieved nonetheless. “Thanks, Ridge.”

“Luc, I hope I’m as much your friend as your boss. I told Del the other night, and now I’ll tell you. You need anything, just ask.”

Luc said, “I’ve been meaning to thank you for arranging for Dr. Spencer.”

“No problem. He’s the best. Right after we got married Buffy broke her leg in four places skiing. Doc fixed her up good as new, even made some house calls. I owe him. Speaking of which, we’re going to be late if we don’t leave now.”

F
ive minutes
after Ridge dropped him off, his door buzzed. He trudged over but this time didn’t open it, just asked grumpily, “Who is it?”

“Somebody’s not having a good afternoon.”

He swung the door open. “Hi there, officer. Still want to come in?”

Del smiled. “Having a rough day?” She swiped her hand down the left side of his jaw and stole a slow kiss.

“It’s had its ups and downs,
this
being one of the ups. Have you talked to Ridge, because you two seem to be efficiently swapping out baby-sitting and chauffeuring? He leaves, you show up and vice-versa.”

“I’m all wide-eyed innocence,” she said. “Now tell me about your day.”

“As if you didn’t know,” he said, heading for the recliner and leaning back with a sigh. “Doc Spencer may know his stuff but by the time he’s finished with me, I’m wishing he was a dentist with laughing gas. I start feeling better and then I see him, and…I’m sorry. I’m whining. It’s just I was feeling good at lunchtime.”

“Ready for a dose of medicine?” she asked reaching for the bottle of painkillers.

Luc shook his head. “I think I’ll try it without tonight. I had a doozie of a nightmare this morning after taking tw—”

“Luc, didn’t I tell you not to take more than one?”

“I know. You were right.” He massaged the area beneath his shoulder.

“What if I stay tonight and keep the buggers away?” She poured one pill into her palm and handed it to him.

He sighed, “I believe that might be the ticket, sh—they wouldn’t think of messing with my cop.” Luc moved over to the left side of the recliner so Del could cuddle up next to him. It felt good to have her there, his right arm wrapped around her, her fragrant hair against his cheek. He said, “What would you like to watch? I can’t reach the remote but get anything you want.”

“How about I tune it to Pandora and we can flip through some of our favorite music?” she said.

“Sounds good.”

Delilah brought up the Internet radio program and looked through some of Luc’s channels. There was everything from Adele to Usher, with Bolo, Pop, and Latin squeezed amongst the ginormous list. “Wow, is there any music you don’t like?”

“Yes. Big band. I hope it’s not your favorite.”

“Not really. But then I don’t see much of my favorite here either.”

“And that would be…”

“Beethoven.”

“Beethoven and roses. I should have guessed.” He kissed the top of her head. “Well, call up something.”

After fifteen minutes of Beethoven, Luc was asleep. His phone vibrated on the coffee table and she looked at the caller ID.
Mom.
She walked into his office and tapped “accept”.

“Luc Larue,” she said quietly.

“Hello. This is Victoria Larue. Is this Del?”

Del smiled and said softly, “Yes, Mrs. Larue. Luc is sleeping. Do you want me to wake him?”

“I’m awake,” said the sleepy voice from the other room. She walked back to the recliner and handed him the phone.

“Hi, Mom.” Luc listened for a minute then said, “No, Del is spending the night, but I’m assuming she has to work tomorrow.” He looked over at her and she nodded. “I’ll ask her.” He rolled his eyes and mouthed,
mothers
! “She wants to know if you’re coming Saturday. She’s threatening to call the mayor to get you the day off and she says don’t doubt that she can do it.”

“Tell her I’m off, and I’m looking forward to it.”

He put the phone on his chest and said, “Really?”

She nodded. “Really.”

He put the phone back to his ear. “What a miracle. She wasn’t scared off meeting all of you at the same time, and she says no need to call the mayor. She’ll be there.” He listened for another minute, looking resigned to some inevitable plan of his mother’s. “I was planning on riding with Delilah,” he said. He looked at Del and gave a pretend growl, whispering, “She wants to come get me tomorrow and… ‘baby me a little’,” he said.

Delilah whispered, “That’s sweet. You could use another day of rest.”

“Ha! Rest,” he said sarcastically. Into the phone he said, “What time will you be here?”

D
el studied Luc
. “You don’t look terribly unhappy that your mother is scarfing you away to the family compound.”

“Oh, man, if that isn’t the perfect description for Camp Larue.” He plucked at a non-existent hair on the front of his shirt. “Nah, as mothers go, she’s pretty cool.” That made the dimple in his cheek deepen. “And much as they all nag me and have their sisterly way with me, I wouldn’t trade them in for brothers.

“Now where were we?” His look told her he knew where they’d been but he had somewhere totally different in mind.

He used his good arm to pull her toward him until she saw his intent. Gently, she placed her legs on either side of his lap. “Larue…”

“Shut up and kiss me. Can’t you see I’m wounded?”

Delilah chuckled, and did as she was told, but kisses weren’t enough for either of them. Luc released her slowly. “I’m feeling a little…confined, sweetheart. Could you do me?” He thrust upward against her slightly.

Del moved off of him and unzipped his jeans, rubbing her hand along the hard length. He freed himself and said, “Aren’t you hot in that blouse?”

That blouse was a thin-strapped camisole of an obvious summer weight material. Clever man. His fingers were inching under the hem when she pulled it slowly over her head. She felt the jump of his erection against her. “Come closer,” he said, one hand massaging her left breast. Rising on her knees she placed her hand on the chair above his head, which put her nipple directly in front of his mouth. He knew what to do with it, capturing it first between his teeth and holding her still, then drawing it into the warm hollow and tonguing it into a hard bud.

His hand made its way under the hem of her panties, hunting the trail of curls to her core, pressing his fingers against her sensitive mound. Her nipple popped out of his mouth when he drew back looking into her eyes, pressing first one, then two fingers into her. “Rock a little, baby.”

Her eyes closed as his fingers worked their magic, dipping and swirling her wet juices, then he brought his hand back up to her breast, and she smelled her own musky scent on his hand.

“I want to be so deep inside you.”

She reached down and placed the smooth head against her wet sheath. “And I want you there.”

Then he was there inside her slick heat. “God, Del, you’re so tight and hot.”

“Again.” He thrust up again but when he winced, she put her palm on his good shoulder. “Let me.”

She rose, half his length sliding out, then shoved her hips down bringing him to her depths. Rocking against him, she used her own movement to massage him from base to tip, pushing herself down to take him fully but gently, letting her inner muscles do the suctioning, thrust and withdraw, hold and release, tighten and relax, never so fast as to jolt him. His hand tightened around her breast and his eyes closed as he came. She followed him over waiting until the pulsing tremors of their bodies quieted. She started to rise but he held her against him, not letting her go. “Soon, but not quite yet. I love being inside you.”

His voice slurred a bit so she knew he wouldn’t last long. She kissed him on the lips and asked, “Did we hurt you?”

“Who me?” he joked. “That was the best sleeping pill I could have had.” He reached down between the seats and pulled out a damp washcloth.

Del chuckled. “You sneaky, sneaky man.”

He was smiling one minute and asleep the next. Del rose and turned the TV off. Grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator she noticed the full bowl of cobbler in the trash. Since when didn’t a man like cobbler? Well, he did have a special diet. She flipped the light out and returned to the recliner snagging a quilt from the ottoman and curling up next to Luc, who she discovered could snore with a smile on his face.

L
uc had awakened
Delilah with a kiss and gave her first shot at the bathroom while he got up to make coffee. His mother arrived and the Navy Lt. Commander clucked like a momma hen over him, slapped him on the butt when he lingered with Del, then whisked him out to her car leaving Delilah laughing at their military shenanigans.

“Get the lead out, recruit.” Her.

“Aye, aye, sir.” Him.

Delilah never had a chance to ask him about the dead cobbler in the trashcan.

Jed walked into their office and sank down in his chair. “No luck last night. No one returned to the roof slash scene of the crime.”

Del leaned back in her chair taking in her partner’s weary manner. He and one of the rookies had staked out the roof hoping to, if not see the perpetrator himself, identify someone else who might have seen something.

“I did talk to your young friend, Monette. She said since Larue took over their group a year ago, he put an “off limits” sign on the roof. Figuratively, anyway. She said their group at least has gotten out of the habit of using the roof or policing it to keep others away. I have to say, it didn’t appear to be sporting any recent trash.”

“So that’s a dead end?” asked Del.

“For now. We still have the piece of fabric and the cast of that footprint if we do turn up a suspect.”

“And a few hundred fingerprints.”

“Well, a few less than that,” Jed said. “I’m going to hit the sack. I’ll be back at 1:00.” He yawned and dragged himself toward the door. “You’re off this weekend, too, right?”

“Yeah, and I have to admit I’m glad Luc will be out of the target zone for a few days. I feel like I’m missing something. See you this afternoon.”

Del leaned back in her chair looking at her list and hoping for an uneventful afternoon.

S
aturday proved
to be a perfect day for a reunion, eighty degrees, clear and sunny; better than the usual nineties and chart topping humidity. They might even escape afternoon thundershowers.

The hundreds year old oaks lining the drive to the Larue’ house gave the property and air of old world charm and a bit of mystery. Squirrels bounded from trunk to trunk causing her to break twice to avoid killing the family pets. Though when she looked toward the east she spotted a young man with a BB gun who had beat her to it. So was squirrel and dumplings on the menu, she wondered.

She braked again as a golden retriever and another child, no, this time it looked to be a lovely young teenage girl who yelled at the dog and almost ran in front of Del’s car, then as soon as she saw the car slow, dashed across, grinning.

A hammock swung lazily between two low hanging limbs and a tall familiar figure approached her as she drove up to a wide set of concrete steps. He pointed to a spot next to an old pickup, then offered her his hand when she opened her door and swept her into his arms. “Where have you been?”

“What—”

His mouth claimed hers in a kiss that was neither flirty nor urgent but comfortable and welcoming. He’d missed her. She was smiling when he raised his head. “Am I late?”

His eyes narrowed and now she saw the banked desire, like gems on fire. “If you’re not where I am, it feels like it when you arrive. I’m just out-numbered and need reinforcements on my side.” He had a poetic way with words that made her heart melt.

“This is a beautiful place, Luc. Did you grow up here?” He walked her around the side of the three-story home pointing out the ancient greenhouse at the back of the cleared area, a carriage house that had been converted into a guesthouse, and a large grassy area where a vast number of adults and kids were chasing each other back and forth. Del eyed the crowd. “That’s a very odd way to play football.”

He laughed, “Yeah, it looks disorganized but it’s for the little ones. Dad made it up—no rules tag, just pure chaos. Anyone under seven gets to run any which way, transfer the ball to any of their teammates and head for any end line or sideline to score. Well, there is one rule. The adults can only run back and forth while they try to catch the kid with the ball. Works pretty good. By the time the adults are warmed up for football the little ones are ready for their naps. Come on, I’ll show you the house and we can take a spin through the kitchen, see what’s cookin’.”

“Larue, when it comes to food…”

“Today’s my day off the strict regimen. Rachel says it’ll be like the old days when I never met a calorie I didn’t like. It’s all their fault. Wait ‘til you see the spread.” They walked down a wide hallway with ancient wood flooring.

“If you like sweets so much, how come you threw a whole cobbler in the trash?”

His step slowed slightly but he recovered and said, “We’ll talk about that later. Right now,” he took her hand and backed through the eleven-foot tall door to a world of warmth, friendly chatter, and spicy aromas. Four women worked in the massive kitchen, one at the restaurant size gas range, who turned and came toward her. “Del, I’m so glad you could come.” Samantha leaned over to give her a cheek hug since she had a wooden spoon in one hand and floured fingers on her other. “Roux, it’s tricky. Must get back to it. Make yourself at home. The Huns are outside. ”

Del noticed that once again Sam didn’t include herself in their category.

Luc said, “This lady here,” he put his arm around an older African American woman, “is Alicia, who was dad’s right arm while mom was in the service.” He winked at her, “And our surrogate mother. Now she’s too important to spend all her time with us.”

“So glad to meet you Delilah. Luc says you’re a police officer.” Luc had given them her full name and coming across in Alicia’s classic southern accent, even Del liked it.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“You might know my brother. He serves up in Concordia Parish. Name’s Arthur Rhodes.”

Del exclaimed, “I do know Sgt. Rhodes. He was my firearms instructor in academy. You know, you look familiar to me as well.”

Luc said, “She’s got her dreads covered up with that ole ugly towel or you’d recognize her as Councilwoman Alicia Thomas”

“That’s right,” Del said. “We met at the Policeman’s Ball…last year?”

Alicia nodded. “Enough small talk. I must get back to my cornbread and mustard greens.”

Luc led her further into the kitchen. “And these two ladies are obviously related to me,” said Luc. “Y’all come over and meet Del.” The two young women looked around twenty and besides one being the only blonde she’d met so far, they were identical twins. “Cassandra is the blonde.” She reached over to shake Del’s hand and Del noticed she was also about 6 months pregnant. She patted her belly. “And this is Samuel Charles. The smell of all this food is making him restless.”

Luc laughed, “Wishful thinking. She named him a boy name, like that’ll break the spell.”

“That and a sonogram verifying it,” said Cassandra.

Luc put his arm around the other twin. “And this sultry chick is Carlotta, Cassie’s twin.”

Carlotta said, “Carlie. I don’t know why he insists on calling me by that horrid name.”

“Because I was the one that picked it. How did I know you’d grow up and be a tomboy?” He squeezed her.

“That’s right, and I can’t believe I won’t get a chance to kick your as—” she looked over at Delilah.

“Don’t mind me. I would have found that entertaining I’m sure.” She looked at the counters of food. “It looks like you have been cooking all night.”

Luc lifted the lid on a red stew pot. “What’s this?”

“Get out of there.” Carlie said. “It’s for Grandpa. You know how he always talked about the alligator stew he used to get when he was a boy. Well, we got some fresh gator tail and Alicia got a recipe from a guy in New Orleans. And we made his favorite pie, too. Chocolate praline.”

Alicia said, “It’s got so much sugar in it, he won’t sleep for a week.”

They uncovered the other dishes—crawfish fettuccine, duck with dressing, squirrel with dumplings, deviled eggs, potato salad, Stevie’s blue ribbon baked beans and, “The piece de resistance,” Luc said as he opened the oven and pulled the foil back to expose two succulent racks of prime rib. Desserts were stacked in the refrigerator and on every free space.

“Wow, you must be planning on an army.”

“Marauders. When the Huns gather, we don’t lack for chow. We don’t get together very often, but when we do, no one goes away hungry, or skinny,” said Samantha. “We all enjoy cooking, and the best thing about being tall is we don’t have to worry about what we eat.”

“Unless you’re a cover model and need zero percent body fat,” teased Delilah.

Samantha said, “Luc, Mom said bring Del outside to meet Grandma so she can go upstairs and take her siesta.”

Luc took Delilah’s hand and led her toward the back of the house. There were large rooms on either side of the hallway that looked like dens. “They used to be the parlors and dance floors during parties. There are two floors upstairs, four bathrooms, six bedrooms. Here’s a bathroom if you need it while you’re here and right outside…” he pushed through the giant screened backdoor onto a fifteen-foot wide porch. A couple people sat in wicker chairs on the porch watching the chaotic “No Rules” game progressing on the lawn.

Victoria rose and another tall woman stood and smiled. She could have been a model on Zen magazine for how to age gracefully. Del was sure she had to be close to ninety but she didn’t seem frail. “Del, this is my mother in law—Emeline Larue. Eme, this is Luc’s friend, Delilah.”

“So nice to meet you, Delilah. I understand we have you to thank for taking care of Luc.” She clasped both of her wrinkled hands around Del’s. She was the shortest one of the family and was still taller than Delilah. Her silver grey hair was expertly coiffed. She wore a designer wrap and a thick gold bangle on her wrist. When she smiled it was a duplicate of Luc’s smile. He probably looked a lot like his father.

“Where’s dad?” Luc asked his mother.

She pointed to the field. “Refereeing.”

Del’s eyes followed Luc’s until she saw the older gray haired man running along the “sidelines” shouting and pointing, blowing a whistle with each change of an adult’s direction. “Still making sure the babies get the edge, I see.” His eyes shown with humor when he looked back at his mother.

“That’s my Sam,” Victoria said.

“It was nice to meet you, Delilah. I’ll see you after my nap.” She patted Del’s shoulder as she slipped into the house.

“Game’s over,” Luc said. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

He led her across the lawn pointing to some little ones, “Tim and Erin, that’s Rachel’s grandchildren. The tiny receiver here,” Luc swung a toddler into his arms, “is Pete, Chaz’ daughter Alice’s baby. Can you say L-u-u-c, Pete?” He swung him down. “We’ll work on it, kid. And this gangly future basketball star is Mitch, Stevie’s youngest. You met his sisters inside…”

Del nodded. Her head was spinning.

“Briget’s husband couldn’t come. He’s taking care of something for their daughter’s graduation.”

Luc’s father bounced up the steps to the porch and looked like he wanted to take his son in a bear hug, but settled for gripping his good shoulder and ruffling his hair. “This must be Del.” His light green eyes sparkled at Del as he shook her hand. “Call me Sam. My son tells me you’re one tough cop.”

Del just gave Luc a sideways look. “I hope he meant it as a compliment considering how we met.”

Stevie, Chaz and Briget came up the steps arm in arm. Luc’s oldest sister, Rachel, followed looking harried and tired. They all grabbed bottles of water, nodding to Del as if she was a regular at the big house.

Victoria watched her oldest daughter thoughtfully. “Rachel, come sit down. What’s the matter?”

Rachel’s husband, Joe, walked up and put his arm around her. “She hasn’t been sleeping well lately. Ever since we got that last letter from Mack.”

Mitch punched open the back door and said, “Dinner’s ready. Ms. Alicia says bring your behinds.”

“Mitch,” Sam said, “guests first.”

“Yes, sir.” Mitch jumped back and held the door for Del, smiling.

Del thanked him and walked in ahead of Luc.

“Who’s Mack?”