Risky Shot (4 page)

“When Kenna had some of her trouble, I tried to have Agent Parker bring Marshall in to help. But nooo, Mr. Big Shot FBI Agent thinks he can do everything himself.” Paige turned to Miss Lily, “You think I can have a glass of your special brew?”

“Sure thing. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

Dani was pretty sure Paige felt just as uncomfortable as she did. She didn’t know what to talk to her about and it was kinda weird sitting next to her replacement. “So, what kind of problems has Kenna been having? I thought everything was picture perfect here until Chad found out where she was. Kenna never mentioned anything except that she was fine.”

“It seems Kenna left a lot out. I am sure it was nothing compared to what you went through, but she was hospitalized after Chad tried to run her down with a truck out at Will’s farm. She only got away when Will hit the truck with a couple of rounds from his rifle.”

“I didn’t know. Was she hurt badly?”

“She was unconscious for two hours and bruised pretty badly down one side. Then Whitney attacked her at the Derby in a horse barn,” Paige explained.

“Who’s Whitney?”

“She’s Will’s ex-wife. But more importantly, she’s Senator Bruce’s daughter. Whitney Amber Bruce.”

“I’ve heard both names before.” Dani closed her eyes and saw the men in cheap black suits walking in front of her. They were talking about the Senator and Whitney, but she hadn’t known the connection until now.

“I am pretty sure they’re both evil. After Whitney spilled the beans about Chad’s attempted murder and everything she knew, Kenna thought she was going to be safe. She sent for you and waited for you to get here. That’s when she got a package from Chad. It was a picture of you and her with Chad in the middle, taken on the night of her birthday. He told her he’ll never forget you two. It freaked her out pretty badly. She’s put on a pretty good face, but she’s been affected. She’s one of the strongest people I have ever met. Now that she has her mind set on bringing them down, she isn’t quite as afraid.”

Miss Lily opened to door and brought out a new pitcher of sweet tea and an extra glass for Paige. “So, have we decided on Marshall then, or one of the others?”

Dani stared out the window of Paige’s pick-up truck as they made their way to Kenna’s house for the debriefing. Maybe she had been a little too fast to judge Paige and Kenna. Paige told her about her family of five brothers and her love of the outdoors. She learned that Paige had started Southern Charms all on her own and was not the simpering Southern Belle she had assumed her to be. She was starting to realize her first impressions of everything in Keeneston were wrong. As she and Paige talked and shared stories about growing up in the country, she felt some of her bitterness wash away.

They pulled into the driveway and parked next to the standard government issued black Ford Explorer. Dani looked over at Paige when she groaned.

“Should I trust him then? I know people in the FBI are involved. Could he be one of them?” She closed the car door she had just opened and turned to Paige.

“No, it’s not that. He’s been a wonderful agent. He’s working with higher ups that he personally knows and trusts to keep the whole investigation off the record. I can’t explain it, we’re just oil and water. Come on, I see him getting out of the car so I better introduce you two.” Paige opened the door and walked around to Dani’s side of the car.

Dani opened the door and stood waiting for Agent Parker to finish his phone call before introducing herself. It was hard not to notice Agent Parker. He had silver eyes under jet black hair that was cut short, but not so short you couldn’t run some through your fingers. All combined with a nose that looked to have been broken before gave off the most alluring appeal.

Paige moved around the car to stand next to Dani, waiting for Agent Parker to finish talking. Dani saw Agent Parker’s eyes immediately go to Paige. Hmm, interesting.

He said something into his phone and then hung up. “Don’t you think that skirt is a little too short?”

Dani was startled a little and then tried not to laugh. He was so serious and was posturing like a father of a teenager. She felt Paige stiffen next to her and put her hands on her hips.

“You’re right about a problem with the length. Thank you for pointing it out,” Paige rolled the waist band of her jean skirt one more time, hiding the cute ribbon belt and raising the skirt another inch up her toned thighs. With that move Paige turned to Dani, “Dani, Agent Asshole. Agent Asshole, Danielle De Luca.”

The second Paige had raised her skirt Agent Parker’s teeth had clenched. She didn’t know it was possible for him to bite his teeth together any harder than he already was until she watched Paige sashay right past them and climb the brick stairs to head inside. Agent Parker watched every step Paige took until the front door closed behind her.

He cleared his throat and finally turned to look at Dani. “Sorry about that. She’s just so… Anyways, I am Agent Cole Parker. I am really interested in hearing what you have to say tonight. I am hoping you can give me a different angle to work things. My team and I always seem to be one step behind Chad and I would love to turn the tables.”

“I hope I’ll be of some help, Agent Parker.”

“Cole. We all work so close together we’ve dropped all titles. Come on, let’s head in. I think we’re gathering on the back porch.”

Dani stepped out of the house and onto a porch painted white. She saw over-stuffed chairs and a loveseat covered in blue and white striped material. There were potted plants on each side of the door and along the wooden railing. Pinks, reds, and purples all bloomed and seemed to fit right in with the natural green of the fields and trees surrounding the house. She took a seat on the back porch swing that was indeed the same one that Miss Lily had. Kenna brought out a variety of drinks, some cheese, and crackers and then sat down next to Dani.

“Mo owns the farm next to ours and Ahmed is his security guy. They’ve been a big help during this whole thing. Ahmed is the one who got Whitney to talk. Ah, here they are now.”

Dani looked to the side of the house to where two men were walking towards them. One man was of normal height, maybe five ten. He was thick and had a cold look in his eyes that made her shiver. The second man made her shiver for a whole different reason. The second man was taller. Closer to six foot or six one and so smoothly handsome she felt as if awoken from a four month sleep. His features were sharp and clean. Amber eyes showed intelligence and a self-confidence that stopped short of arrogance. His dark hair was slicked back with minimal gel and stopped at his collar. Both men had lightly browned skin and features she placed as Middle Eastern or Mediterranean heritage.

“What’s going on, dear? Did we have a breakthrough in the investigation?” His silky voice asked as he looked from Kenna to Cole. Dani saw his eyes then come to a rest on her. She could tell he was trying to figure out who she was, but was too polite to ask.

“Mo, Ahmed, I would like to introduce you to my best friend, Danielle De Luca. Dani, this is Mohtadi Ali Rahman, or just Mo to his friends. And this is his head of security, Ahmed.” Kenna smiled as she moved to sit back down after pouring the drinks.

“It’s nice to meet you both.” Dani felt her hands start to sweat and placed them on her knees hoping the men wouldn’t want to shake it. When she looked up from her lap she saw that Mo was still looking at her. A blush crawled up her cheeks. She felt the intensity of his gaze all the way to her toes.

Ahmed cleared his throat and sat down next to Cole. She felt more than saw Mo take the seat next to her, but what she did see was Paige’s raised eyebrows and Kenna’s smile.

“Okay, Danielle, now that we’re all here, why don’t you tell us everything you remember starting with Kenna’s birthday party.” Cole pulled out a digital recorder and also a pad and paper.

With a nod Danielle focused on the rolling green hills that made up Kenna’s backyard and transported herself back to that night.

Chapter Four

Four Months Ago...

The valet at New York’s hottest club, The Zone, opened her door as she climbed out of Kenna’s to-die-for car. At times, she felt bad that she always bummed rides off Kenna, but a hundred thousand dollar car should be worshiped. And boy oh boy, did she worship Kenna’s cherry red M6.

Kenna waved to the bouncer and Dani noticed she got the standard check out. She rolled her eyes when the bouncer watched them walk past the velvet rope. It irritated her when men were so obvious. She knew because of her height she stood out and it embarrassed her when people would stare.

Growing up, she was the tall and lanky one who everyone made fun of. In Italy, they called her
sottile alberello d’ oliva
, or “the skinny little olive tree” in English. When she had moved to Maine, they had just called her Olive Oyl. She had been stick thin, with no curves, no boobs, and no ass until she was seventeen. Finally, miracle of all miracles, her cup size grew from an A to a C. Granted, it was a small C, but a C nonetheless. She developed muscles from the skiing and hiking she enjoyed year round, and built confidence from training on her rifle and bow. Even at twenty-seven years old with her gorgeous looks, she still felt like
sottile alberello d’ oliva
on the inside.

She followed Kenna into the darkly lit club and let the thumping of dance music stir her blood. She loved to dance and couldn’t wait to get out on the floor. She waved at the people from the office that had already hit the floor or bar. She and Kenna made their way to the back booth. A handsome, preppie man stood up from the table and kissed Kenna. He looked back at her and smiled. A cold chill traveled down her spine. Something about that smile scared her.

“Hey pretty lady. Can I get you a drink?”

Dani turned toward the voice and looked down. A man, no more than five six with his collar popped and his hair gelled in a tangled mess stood checking her out.

“No thanks. I am here with my friend tonight.” She knew she was a snob, but she couldn’t date or even dance with men shorter than her. When she tried, she felt as if she was in Gulliver visiting the Lilliputians.

The man walked off to find someone else while Kenna brought the man over to her. “Dani, this is Chad. Chad this is my best friend, Danielle.”

She smiled and he shook her hand. Some co-workers approached to wish Kenna a happy birthday, but Chad still did not let go of her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. Kenna has told me so much about you that I feel as if I know you intimately.” He squeezed her hand just a little too hard and she felt the bones crunch together. He let go so fast she thought it must have been an accident. She couldn’t let it go though. The smile, the way he said the word ‘intimately’, the prolonged hand shake… something was off.

“Thanks. I heard a lot about you, too.” She kept her hand behind her and started looking around for an escape. She wished the popped collar guy would come back. She was being blinded by Chad’s white teeth that made her feel like Little Red Riding Hood being eyed by the Big Bad Wolf.

“Is this your first time to this club?” he asked.

“Yes. The music seems good and there are plenty of people to keep the dance floor packed.” She again wished someone who come ask her to dance, but with Chad standing so close everyone probably assumed he was with her.

“It’s mine too. I don’t go to that many clubs. Never seem to have the time. How about I get you a drink?” He looked over to the bartender and raised his chin in slight acknowledgment.

“No thanks. I was going to wait for Kenna.” She looked at Kenna talking to some other attorneys and wished she’d hurry up.

Chad turned and took a step to Kenna’s side. “Hey Babe, you’re neglecting me. I want to get you a birthday drink and then a picture with my two girls.”

“Sure! Dani! You have to be in the picture. Come on, let’s go to the bar and get this party started,” Kenna grabber her hand and hurried her to the bar. “Two sparkling peach martinis, please.”

Dani felt Chad approach and felt him standing so near to her his front was touching her back. He leaned over her and placed his shoulder between her and Kenna, “Three shots of Grey Goose first, please. To celebrate my girl’s birthday!” The bartender placed the drinks on the bar. “Thanks man.” Chad placed a twenty on the counter and passed out the shots, then signaled the bartender again, “Hey, man. Do me a favor and take a picture of me and my two girls?”

She had to lean past Chad to joke with Kenna about how hot the bartender was. “Well, at least you know he can actually get you a drink!” They both cracked up at the ongoing joke that out of all the offers to buy her a drink, hardly any man actually got to. They toasted Kenna and then took the shot while the bartender took a picture.

“Here you go,” The bartender handed the phone back to Chad.

“Thanks, Dave.” Chad took Kenna’s arm in one hand and escorted her back to their table. Dani walked up to the bar and sat down on a stool. She looked at the hot bartender while he was waiting on other people. No name tag. She looked around the bar and didn’t see a name plate, chalk board greeting, or any other decoration showing the bartender’s name. Chad said he hadn’t been here before, right? Oh well. She shrugged it off and waved down the bartender who may or may not be Dave.

Dave was easy going. He stood about the same height as Dani and had brown hair and a goatee. He was wearing dress slacks with a Zone t-shirt. He was very muscled and looked like the guys who lived at the gym. She decided she would let him buy her a drink. They talked a little and found out they went to the same community college. He did, in fact, work out a lot at FitNow, a gym that opened a couple of years ago with floor to ceiling front windows to inspire those walking by to join and to allow people like Dave to work out.