Seduction and Lies Read online

  How could she know those things? Was one of her photography team members part of the Cartel? One of the models? Did Savannah say something to Jean?

  She didn’t know whether to be furious or scared out of her thong. It was beyond creepy that someone could know those kinds of intimate details about a person without their knowledge. But like Jean said, that was the whole point.

  Slowly the threads of excitement began to wind their way through her veins. However complex the assignment, she would handle it, and since Jean seemed to know everything, Nick would be back as well.

  She only hoped, on that note, that it wouldn’t be the one time Jean was wrong.

  Chapter 8

  Nick was seated at the juice bar at the Pause for Men day spa when Bernard slid onto the stool beside him. He clapped him on the back.

  “Had a good workout?”

  Nick angled his head to the left. “Yeah, pretty good.”

  Bernard signaled to the waitress, who came and took his order for a veggie burger and a shake. “So how are you liking this place so far?”

  “I like it a lot. You couldn’t ask for more. The workout rooms are top-notch, customer service is great and you can’t beat the food for the price.”

  Bernard chuckled. “So do you think you want to join, or are you going to live out your guest privileges?”

  Nick lowered his head and grinned. “Yeah, I plan to sign up. Actually I was going to do that today. The way things are going in my life I’m going to need all the destressing I can get—or afford.”

  “Something wrong? Maybe I can help. You look like you could use a friend or an ear. I’m pretty good at both.” He gave the young man an encouraging smile.

  Nick drew in a breath. When was the last time he’d expressed his feelings or his insecurities to anyone until he’d met Danielle? It had been so long since he’d had a man-to-man talk that he wasn’t sure he knew how. But there was something about Bernard that made him feel safe and comfortable, as if they’d known each other for years.

  He angled his body toward Bernard. His words came out halting, as if he were testing out the language for the first time.

  “I guess I’ve always been pretty much a loner. I can’t admit to having a best male buddy, just acquaintances, guys I hang out with from time to time.” He swallowed, pausing for a moment in thought. “My best friend was my dad. When he died, I was only fourteen.”

  “I’m sorry,” Bernard murmured.

  Nick continued as if he didn’t hear him. “We were together…when it happened.” He stared off into space. His heart started racing like it always did when he thought about that day. “He took me to a baseball game at Shea Stadium. When we got back home, we were tossing the ball back and forth to each other. I missed one of his throws and—” his voice thickened “—it went into the street. Stupid me, I went running after it. I never even heard him yell for me to look out. The next thing I knew, I was thrown onto the sidewalk and my dad was in the middle of the street nearly half a block away. The car that missed me hit him.” He took a swallow of his smoothie to keep Bernard from seeing the tears that were burning his eyes. “I don’t think my mother ever forgave me. She never came right out and said that it was my fault, but I could see it in her eyes every time she looked at me. I moved out the day after high-school graduation.

  “I’ve never allowed myself those kinds of attachments again. And I know that a lot of how I feel about myself stems from back then. After he died, I didn’t know where I fit. I look like my dad, with his strong Italian features, dark hair and eyes and swarthy complexion. So I identified with him, even though my mother’s African-American blood runs through my veins, too.” He turned his head toward Bernard. “I was lost, just going through the motions until I met Danielle. And now I think she’s seeing someone else.” He finished off his drink.

  “Why would you think that?”

  “All the signs are there.”

  “It could be a lot of things. That’s pretty extreme, don’t you think? I mean, I’ve only met her a couple of times, but when I see her look at you, I can’t imagine that she looks at anyone else like that.”

  Nick sputtered a derisive chuckle. “Thanks for the ego boost.”

  “I wasn’t trying to boost your ego, son, I’m just telling you what I see. Take it from one who knows, the woman is in love with you.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong. She can barely get the words to frame in her head, least of all say them,” he said, the hurt and disappointment tainting his voice.

  “It’s not about the words. It’s about what’s in here.” He tapped his chest.

  Nick laced his fingers together on top of the counter and studied his knuckles. “I never told Dani any of that stuff,” he said, so quietly Bernard almost missed it.

  “Why don’t you talk to her about how you feel? The same way you told me. I think you would be surprised.”

  “Maybe.” He drew himself up, forcing a bright expression on his face. “If you want to get me to sign up with this joint, you’d better catch me now,” he said, pushing the conversation and the past into the back of his mind.

  Just then the waitress returned with his food.

  “I’m sorry. Can you hang on to that for me for a bit—keep it warm? I’ll be right back.”

  “Sure, Bernie.”

  “Thanks, doll.”

  “No problem.”

  Bernard cocked his head toward the registration counter. “Come on, I’ll introduce you to the owners. There are only three of them now. One of the original owners, Barbara Allen, moved down south with her new husband.”

  They stepped up to the horseshoe-shaped desk. “Evenin’, ladies,” Bernard said to the trio, who had gathered at the counter which was their routine at the end of each evening.

  The three were as different as apples, oranges and grapes, Nick observed. One was a stunning petite beauty, barely reaching the shoulders of the other two; one could give Tyra Banks a run for her money; the third reminded him of Angela Bassett, with her wide, open smile and dancing eyes.

  “Hey, Bernie,” Ann Marie greeted him, followed by Elizabeth and Stephanie.

  “I wanted you ladies to meet a new recruit, Nick Mateo.”

  The Tyra Banks runner-up stuck out her hand. “Stephanie Moore. I’m supposed to be the publicist promoting the spa, but it looks like Bernie is after my job.” She laughed good-naturedly and winked at Bernard.

  Then it was the tiny dynamo. “Ann Marie Dennis, Girl Friday, and the one responsible for securing this building. In my other life I do real estate, so if you’re ever in the market, be sure to let me know,” she said, with what Nick noticed as a slight Caribbean accent.

  “Elizabeth Lewis. I’m the general manager. I actually live on the top floor.”

  “Yes, she luck out and catch de man who fixin’ up de whole damn place,” Ann Marie said, laying on her accent hot and heavy. She pursed her lips in feigned annoyance. “Me have to go all the way home to me man. All she ’ave to do is run upstairs. Ya call dat fair?”

  The trio chuckled.

  Nick couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Don’t hate, as the kids would say,” Elizabeth said calmly.

  “Anyway,” Stephanie cut in. “Don’t mind them. It’s an everyday thing with those two. So how can I help you?”

  “I think I want to sign up for membership,” Nick said over the remnants of his laughter.

  “The more the merrier,” Ann Marie said. “Well, folks, I’m heading home to Sterling. See you tomorrow.” She turned to Nick. “Nice to meet you. I’m sure you’ll enjoy being here. And any friend of Bernard’s is a friend of ours.” She wagged her fingers and sauntered off, and it was then that Nick noticed that she had on at least three-inch heels and was still no bigger than a minute.

  “I’ll leave you to take care of your business. I’ll be in the café when you’re done,” Bernie said.

  “Sure.” He took a seat in one of the leather pedestal chairs, while Stephanie too
k out some of the brochures and Elizabeth pulled out the paperwork.

  “Wanna grab a beer?” Bernard asked as he and Nick left Pause for Men.

  Did he really want to go home to a tiny, empty apartment and lie awake, staring at the ceiling, for the rest of the night?

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “Great. If you don’t mind walking a few blocks, we can go to the Lenox Lounge.”

  “Sounds great. I haven’t been there since—” His thought skidded to a stop. The last time he was there was with Danielle. “—in a while,” he finished.

  As they strolled through Harlem, the sights and sounds of the famous district surrounded them. Even though many of the historical spots such as Small’s Paradise, Copelands, Sugar Hill and other after-hours locales and restaurants were long gone, there was still a pulse, a vitality that one could feel in the air.

  They pushed through the doors of the Lenox Lounge and were surprised to find the place packed on a week-night. Inching their way to the end of the bar, they squeezed in.

  The barmaid came down to meet them. “What’ll you have?”

  “Two beers. Whatever you have on tap,” Bernard shouted over the noise of voices and music. The aroma of fried chicken wafted in the air. “What’s going on tonight? It’s pretty crowded.”

  “New singer, Dawne. Young sister from Brooklyn. Sounds like a young Aretha. We’ve been promoting her all week.” She expertly filled two mugs to the brim and placed them on the counter. “Four bucks each.”

  Nick went into his pocket.

  Bernard stopped him with a hand on his wrist. “I got it.”

  “Thanks.”

  They took their beers to the back room, just as the first set was getting started. As promised, the little powerhouse was a young Aretha in the making who earned the respect and rousing applause of the audience.

  By the time they left nearly two hours later, Nick was in a much better frame of mind. They strolled back to their cars, talking about a little bit of everything along the way.

  Bernard told Nick about his growing-up years in St. Albans, in Queens, New York, and Nick shared more of his life in Staten Island before moving to Manhattan.

  “Hey, I hope you’ll come to my wedding,” Bernard said.

  “Wedding?” Nick asked, stopping in front of his car.

  Bernard grinned. “Yeah, I popped the question to Claudia, and she said yes.”

  Nick stuck out his hand, which Bernard heartily shook. He was beaming like a kid on Christmas.

  “Congratulations. I had no idea.”

  “It’s all kind of new. She told Savannah last night.”

  Nick grinned. “Claudia is a great lady. You’re a lucky man.”

  “When you find someone you love, you can’t let them get away. You may not be as lucky the next time.” He clapped Nick on the shoulder. “See you at the gym. Thanks for hanging out with an old man.” He walked away.

  Nick got in his vehicle and sat there for a few minutes, going over his evening with Bernard. He glanced at the time on the digital dash. It was nearly eleven thirty. He put the car in gear and slowly headed home.

  Nick took his key out of his pocket and stuck it in the lock. As he’d expected, the apartment was quiet. He tucked his backpack in the hall closet and headed toward the bedroom.

  He gently sat down on the side of the bed and leaned over and brushed a lock of hair away from Danielle’s face. She stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she jerked partially upward and gasped in alarm.

  “Shhh. It’s me, baby.” He leaned down and kissed the top of her head, and she all but crawled into his arms.

  He squeezed her to him, stroking her back, and she held on as if she feared he would vanish like a dream upon awakening.

  “I’m sorry,” they said in unison, then laughed.

  “I’m giving up my apartment tomorrow,” he whispered in her ear. “I don’t ever want there to be anywhere else I come home to but to you.”

  Danielle’s heart swelled with emotion. Tears of relief and joy slipped from behind her closed lids.

  “I don’t want you to be anywhere else but here,” she whispered.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” She slid over in the bed and lifted the covers back.

  Nick kicked off his shoes and spooned with her in the bed, not even bothering to get out of his clothes.

  Danielle felt the warmth of his breath on her neck, the comfort of his arms around her, the security of the steady beat of his heart, and she knew that somehow things would be all right. She would do whatever she must to ensure it.

  And then she felt Nick’s hands begin to slowly explore her body, and the rush of anticipation began to fill her. Jean’s closing words came to mind. He’ll be back.

  Jean was right, but it was now up to her to make certain that she didn’t do anything to make him leave ever again.

  She turned onto her back, cupped his face in her palms. “Let me show you how much I missed you,” she said in a husky whisper.

  “Whatever you say, baby.”

  She unzipped him and went to work.

  Chapter 9

  “Who was at the door?” Danielle asked the following morning as she stepped out of the bathroom.

  “Oh, a messenger dropped off a box for you. I left it in the living room. Were you expecting a package?” Nick was busy staring at the computer screen and munching on a blueberry muffin.

  “Hmm, no. Don’t think so.” She wrapped her wet hair in a towel and tightened the belt around her robe, then padded barefoot across the hardwood floors to the living room.

  “Your breakfast is in the oven,” he called out.

  “Thanks!”

  She saw the box right away, perched atop the hall table. Unable to imagine what it could be, she frowned, then checked for a name and didn’t see one. She took the box over to the couch and began digging it open. Once the top was finally pulled off, her heart thumped. She stole a glance over her shoulder. Gingerly, she took the package out. It was the TLC Bath and Body carrying case.

  She was so excited that she nearly squealed in anticipation. With a turn of the catch, the box opened. To the untrained eye the contents were no more sinister than eye shadows, makeup brushes, minidisks of lip gloss, body washes, oils and lotions. But she knew better. Each item had a dual purpose. She lifted the top layer of the case and nestled beneath was the outline of where a .22 would fit.

  She’d have to find a secure place to put it. There was no way that she was going to give Nick an opportunity to sample the massage oil that worked like chloroform!

  Danielle smiled in triumph. She was now an official member of the Cartel. She ran her hands over the contents.

  “So what was it?” Nick said, coming up behind her.

  She sucked in a quick breath. “Oh, Savannah convinced me to join Tender Loving Care with her and her mother. It’s like Avon.” She smiled up at him.

  He shook his head and chuckled. “Women and their products. Sure you’re going to have time?”

  “Well, they have meetings periodically, and you sell at your leisure.”

  Nick shrugged. “Have fun. I’ll be in the workroom. I want to put the contact sheets together.”

  “Okay.”

  He stopped and said over his shoulder, “By the way, you can be my Avon Lady anytime.”

  She laughed, feeling warm all over just thinking about all the naughty things they had done the night before. Her body still tingled. Nick did things with ice cubes that should be illegal. Her still-swollen bud pulsed in agreement. She took the case with the intention of putting it on the top shelf of her closet, when the phone rang. She picked it up in the bedroom.

  “Hello?”

  “You should have received a package,” the now familiar voice said.

  “Yes, just a little while ago.”

  “You’ll need to come to the brownstone today and get your assignment. Can you be here by noon?”

&nbs
p; Danielle stole a quick glance at the digital clock. “Yes, sure.”

  “I’ll see you at noon. I was right, wasn’t I?”

  “Right?”

  “Yes, about him coming back.”

  The call disconnected.

  Danielle left Nick at the apartment, busily working on the contact sheets from the photo shoots. She headed over to the brownstone. It took the recollection of all of her driver-education classes to keep her from breaking the speed limit. She made it uptown in ten minutes; then it took her another ten minutes to find a parking space.

  She took a quick look at the spa across the street. Several men were coming in and out, but thankfully none of them were Bernard. That whole thing with Bernard and Nick, and now Bernard was marrying Claudia—it was all a little much. Nick told her that he’d spent the evening with the man. Bernard just seemed to be everywhere with everyone.

  She wasn’t sure why it bothered her so much. It just did. She rang the ground-floor bell and was expecting to see Margaret answer the door as usual, but to her surprise it was Claudia.

  She greeted Danielle with a big hug. “Hello, sweetheart. Come on in. Congratulations,” she added and gently squeezed her arm. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Thanks. I hear congratulations are in order for you,” she said, looking Claudia over and seeing that she was as fashionable as ever in an aqua-blue shirtdress, with a split along the left side, complemented by a pair of cream sling backs. And her short, sleek haircut was perfect as always.

  Claudia beamed. “Isn’t it exciting! I am so happy.”

  Danielle leaned down and brushed her cheek with a light kiss. “You deserve it.”

  Claudia’s exuberant expression slowly evaporated. She lowered her gaze. “Anna doesn’t think so.”

  “Of course she does. Why would you say that?”

  “I know my daughter. I could hear it in her voice.”

  Danielle took a short breath. How could she tell her that she had her own reservations about Bernard? He seemed to be too good to be true, everyone’s best friend. “Savannah will come around. She loves you and wants you to be happy.” She hugged Claudia around her shoulders. “You’ll see.”