This Is Where I Sleep (15 page)

And for some reason I couldn’t say no to this little person even if I wanted to. “Yup, but you have to help with the dishes first, okay?”

“Kay!” she clapped her hands, dancing in her chair at the prospect of watching her favorite movie.

We finished our dinner and I poured some milk for Laura to go with the chocolate chip cookies that we bought from a bakery, and then headed into the family room. I pulled up the Little Mermaid as Laura sat at her little table and ate her cookies and milk. She delightfully sang along to all the songs she’d committed to memory. We were about three-quarters of the way through the movie when Laura came over and sat on the leather couch next me. Before I knew it, she had made her way into my lap and had fallen fast asleep just as the ending credits began to roll. It was a feeling of contentment I hadn’t had in a long time and emotion began to rise up from the pit of my stomach.

Instead of getting up and immediately taking Laura to her room, I decided to call Tasha. It had been a few days since we last talked.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Hey, you busy?”

“No, what’s up?”

“Why does something have to be up?”

“I can hear it in your voice. You sound...I don’t know contemplative or something.”

“Since when the hell did I become so easy to read?” I started to question my reputation for not being able to be read by others. I was the one who picked up on body language and tone. Not others.

“You’re not. It’s just sometimes you let your guard down around certain people. Me…Liam.”

I sighed, wanting to refute her words but I couldn’t. It was why I called in the first place.

“Speaking of which, how is Liam?” Tasha asked.

“Out of town. But Laura’s here with me,” I said, looking down at the peacefully sleeping toddler in my lap. I hadn’t even noticed my hand stroking her hair until just then.

“He left her there with you?” Tasha’s voice rose a few levels in surprise.

“Not intentionally.”

“So, when are you going to admit it?”

My head jerked back in surprise at the sudden question. “Admit what?” I asked although I had an idea of what she was going to say.

“Oh okay, we’re playing this game?”

“Tasha,” I warned.

“When are you going to admit you’re still in love with that man and that you’ve even fallen for his daughter? Why haven’t you asked him what happened all those years ago and why he left and for God’s sake when are you going to let him make an honest woman out of you so you can stop running all over the world fighting God knows who for God knows what?”

I opened and closed my mouth a few times attempting to make a biting comeback, but the smart retort didn’t come. They were simple questions really, but ones I had been avoiding. I’d been focusing so hard on finding Ghost and figuring out who was behind the death of Li’s employee, in part because espionage and death threats didn’t scare me. That came easy. It was emotions like love and heartbreak that scared the shit out of me. Also, I was a firm believer in not asking questions if I didn’t want to hear the truthful answers. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear the real reason why Li left.

“Tasha,” I said in a whisper, both to not disturb Laura, and because I was still trying to formulate some type of answer.

“Why?” she asked again.

“I’m not ready for the answers yet,” I admitted. “You of all people know what that feels like.” It might’ve been a little bit of a low blow, but I decided to go there. I wasn’t the only one who’s holding back on uncomfortable truths.

“I was wondering when you’d go there,” she said, her voice flat. “I just don’t know.” She sighed, obviously frustrated.

“I know. I just can’t help worry about you. What if something happens to me? I don’t want you to not have anyone. You could at least let me tell Stacey,” I pounced on a moment of weakness.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” she answered.

“No. I don’t make deals,” I frowned.

“Aww come one. Look, if you at least consider taking the plunge and asking Liam about what happened five years ago and then really opening up about your feelings for one another, I will consider talking with Stacey. Okay?” I heard the hope in Tasha’s voice, and I wouldn’t say no to her this time.

It really was one of the biggest fears of mine, leaving Tasha behind if something were to happen to me. She didn’t have friends. She had no family ties, and she spent her days writing, which earned her a living and fed her creative passion. But, outside of that, she had no life to speak of.

“It’s a deal,” I said, finally.

“Okay, you go put little Laura to bed. We’ll talk soon.”

“Oh, speaking of, did I tell you that Laura loved the part when Danica finally retrieves the sacred seed from the evil governor? She can’t wait to read the next book, or have it read to her.”

“Awww, give that little munchkin a kiss for me and tell her Danica is coming back strong.”

“Will do. Bye,” I said quietly, as I hung up the phone. I picked up Laura and cradled her in both arms to take her up the stairs when I remembered the elevator next to the staircase. I pressed the button, peeking at Laura to make sure she wasn’t awakened by the sound of the doors opening. She stirred a little bit but remained sleep. Once in her room, I removed her shoes and changed her into her favorite My Little Pony nightgown. I knew we were not going to get any reading done, so I placed her on the bed, turned on her night light that lit up stars and shapes around the room and then went to tuck her in. As soon as I began pulling up the covers, Laura’s little hand grabbed mine.

“Can you stay with me?” her cute little voice requested, and I was putty in her hands.

“Sure, sweetheart,” I crooned, as I eased in the bed, lying down next to her. I figured I’d stay for another five or ten minutes until she got back to sleep. I made a short mental list of what I needed to clean up in the family room before the world went black and I fall into a deep slumber.

Chapter Sixteen

Liam

              I was fucking exhausted. After that little showdown with Nate earlier, I headed to dinner with a few of my DC connections. I also had some of them digging to gather dirt on my father. His connections were long and his reach wide, but I knew he had some massive dirt buried somewhere. After dinner, I made the decision to hop on the plane and head back home to my women. It was now three in the morning, and I was dead on my feet. 

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair, dropping my suitcase and briefcase by the door. I’d already texted Brian and told him no need to come over today since I was back home. I headed up the stairs to first go check on my baby girl and then to my room where I hoped to find Coral. I knew by now she’d seen that I moved all her clothing and items to my bedroom. I wondered why she hadn’t said anything, but then I figured it was because she was busy with Laura all day. I made my way down the hall to Laura’s room and pushed open the slightly ajar door, and the sight before me left me stunned.

I eased in quietly to not disturb the scene before me. I stood at the foot of Laura’s bed with my heart on my sleeve as I watched Coral and Laura sleeping peacefully. Coral was laying on her side, as Laura’s little body was tucked in close, facing her, with her little arm wrapped around Coral’s waist and her other arm wrapped around her favorite stuffed bear. Coral’s arm was protectively draped over Laura.

I took a few more moments to digest the scene. Needing to capture this moment, I pulled out my phone and snapped a couple of pictures. I looked through a few and chose my favorite to make my phone’s wallpaper. Afterward, I strolled over to the far side of the bed and reached down to pull the covers up over Laura. Before I could even graze her shoulder with my fingers, my wrist was caught in a vise grip. I looked down to see a mocha colored hand gripping my wrist. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Easy, Scorpion. It’s just Papa Bear checking on his cub,” I murmured.

Coral slowly opened her eyelids, and those alert hazel eyes zoned in on me. Realization quickly settled in, and she let my wrist go.

“I fell asleep,” she half-whispered. She looked amazed that she’d spent the night in here.

“I see that. Why don’t we give your ribs a rest and let Princess finish sleeping by herself. You come with me,” I said, grinning down at Laura’s knee braced against Coral’s ribcage.

She squinted as she looked down and frowned. “I think I’m going to have bruises. I’m sure she socked me in the eye at least once,” she halfheartedly groaned, rising slowly from the miniature bed.

I frowned, knowing how rough my daughter could be in her sleep and the soreness that accompanied, sleeping in such a small bed all night. “Come on,” I said once I re-covered Laura, who was still resting peacefully.

“I’m not sleeping in your room,” Coral grumbled groggily even though she’s letting me lead her out the room and down the hall.

Of course, I had no intention of letting her sleep anywhere else besides my bed. Thankfully, she didn’t put up much more of a fuss as we entered my bedroom.

“Lay down,” I told her, pulling the sheets back and pushing her towards the mattress.

She fell willingly, and I removed the ankle boots she still had on. Leaving her side for a second, I searched through drawers trying to remember which one I’d placed her sleeping clothes in. Finally finding it, I pulled out a t-shirt and shorts. It took some maneuvering, but I managed to get her out of her jeans and button up shirt. I inadvertently licked my lips at the sight of the top of her breasts peeking out of her bra. Instinctively, I leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek, neck and top of each breast. Coral sighed and stirred a little, but her eyes remain closed. Even though she appeared completely relaxed and asleep, I knew she was only letting me do this because she was comfortable with me. With the instincts of a cat, she’d be out of this trance in a millisecond if she sensed danger. That thought both comforted and terrified me. I was grateful to know Laura was with someone so capable and loving in my absence, but it also reminded me of how much fighting this woman had to do in her life. 

When I finished changing her, I undressed, stripping down to by boxer briefs, and climbed into bed next to Coral, pulling her close to me so that we were face to face. I settled in and smiled in satisfaction when I felt Coral scoot even closer into my embrace. I reached over to turn the lamp on the nightstand off and resettle myself in.

The quiet of the room was disturbed when Coral announced, “I’m moving back in the guest room first thing in the morning.” Seconds before drifting off back to sleep.

“If you say so,” I said, placing another kiss on her forehead and pulling her even tighter into my side. 

****

Coral

“We found him!” I exclaimed as I barged through Liam’s office door with Brian right on my heels. We’d been searching for the last week for Rodrigo, the security guard. I’d gone over his interview numerous times, picking up on the subtle body movements that signaled he was lying. He knew a lot more than he was willing to let on. And since the owner of the junkyard identified him as the man who tried to get in to see Larry’s damaged car, I knew he was the key to solving this case.

Liam’s head jerked up from his computer screen in surprise. It took less than a second for his eyes to widen with the realization of who I was referring to. By then, I stood in front of his desk with my opened tablet showing a Google maps image of a nightclub that existed just outside of Dallas.

“Here?” Liam asked, looking between Brian and I.

“Turns out, Rodrigo’s cousin is Antonio Vegara, owner of the Onyx Nightclub. Rodrigo’s hiding out, staying at the apartment that resides just above the club and acting as security for the club. Antonio’s on the up and up, so it’s doubtful he knows what his cousin is into or that we’re looking for him.”

Liam nodded in understanding. “‘Kay, so we need to go speak to Rodrigo. It’s Friday which means he’s probably going to be busy working security at the club tonight.”

“Go ahead and tell him your plan for this one,” Brian intervened, shaking his head as if he already knows Liam’s reaction.

I side-eyed Brian, silently telling him to shut the hell up, but he just smirked knowingly. I rolled my eyes and turned again to face Liam. “Alright so, I’m going to go in the club and speak with him. You know; ask a couple of questions. Get the information we need,” I explained, greatly downplaying my plans.

Liam didn’t buy it for a second. Tilting his head to the side, he glared at me. “You’re going to use yourself as bait?” he asked rising from his chair.

“Not quite as bait. I mean, I probably will have to do a little...finessing to get him alone and whatnot, but…” I trailed off at the murderous look that passed over Liam’s face.

“You thought I’d be okay with this?!” he thundered, looking straight at Brian.

“Listen,” I said growing agitated at being overlooked.

“No,
you
listen,” Liam now refocused his attention on me, “I told you I didn’t want you walking into danger for this fucking case. I already have two Goddamn bodyguards on you at all times. Why the hell did you think I’d be okay with you walking the middle of some nightclub surrounded by hundreds of unknown people, wearing God knows what, to seduce some lowlife we know had something to do with Larry’s death. No, this shit is not happening. Think of another way to get to him.” The finality in his tone was supposed to make me think it was the end of the conversation. Not happening.

I smiled at Brian over my shoulder. “Brian, can you excuse us?”

Warily, he looked between me and Liam, and finally, dipped his head in agreeance, leaving Liam and I alone.

“You know, there’s not very many people I let talk to me like that. Don’t let the fact that I woke up in your bed this morning get you too comfortable,” I finished, returning the same stare he was giving me.

“Don’t get cute, Coral. This is not happening. You’re not using yourself as bait. Find another way to get to him.” With that, he took his seat and started slamming folders and other items around his desk.

“This is happening, Liam whether you agree or not. Rodrigo is the key to this. I can feel it. Jabari’s still having trouble accessing the content on the drive and getting Rodrigo is our last alternative. The sooner we get this done the better. You and I both know this is our best shot at ending this.” I couldn’t believe I was standing there pleading my case to Liam. Any other time I wouldn’t give a shit whether or not someone agreed with my methods as long as I got the job done. I sighed, running my hand through my short curls, in an attempt to stave off my growing anger at how far this situation between Liam and I had gotten. I should have known there was no way I could take this case and not become personally invested. Now, I was waking up in his bed every damn morning, after helping tuck his daughter in at night. 

“This has gotten too out of control,” I said out loud, more to myself than to Liam.

Something in my tone must have caught Liam off-guard because he paused his little tirade and looked at me questioningly.  “What are you talking about?”

Those green eyes that held so much emotion stared at me and that warm feeling in my chest that I had become accustomed to in the last few weeks started up again. I blew out a breath. “This,” I waved my hand between the two of us. “I didn’t come here for this. I came to work this case and get information that I needed for another matter,” I said being elusive. “I wasn’t...this wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s been five years!” My voice was rising, the emotion bubbling over. “You left me. No explanation. No apologies. Just some pathetic note that I still don’t know the meaning of. And I don’t care.” I held up my hand to stop whatever he was about to say. “Now, I’m waking up in your bed. Tucking your daughter in at night like some...I didn’t come here to fall in...” I stopped not letting those words fall from my mouth. I stepped back from him, as he rounded his desk, reaching out for me.

“No,” I fervently said, stepping back even more. “I’m doing this. I’m going to find out who the hell Rodrigo is working for and I will find whoever killed Larry and I will get the answers I need with or without your approval.
That
is what I’m here for.” I took one last look at Liam’s now forlorn expression and quickly strode out the door, slamming it behind me. I didn’t even stop when I heard something crashing against Liam’s office door behind me. Nor, did I stop as Brian’s quick footsteps fell behind me.

“We’re going for a run. Then we’re going to spar,” I threw over my shoulder as I opted to take the steps down the twenty-five flights instead of waiting for the elevator.

“I figured,” Brian grumbled behind me.