Without You

“Right, but she’s still my choice.”

Terrance’s eyebrows shot up. “So is she? Going to take you on, I mean?”

“For now.”

“What a helluva mess this has turned out to be.” If Terrance only knew the rest of the story. To date, he hadn’t revealed the fact that organized crime was trying to shove him out his own door. He was convinced he could handle the situation on his own and in his own way.

He hadn’t changed his mind, but the added stress of being under suspicion of murder certainly didn’t work in his favor. Still, he had no intention of laying his cards on the table to anyone. Not yet, anyway.

“Surely you won’t be arrested,” Terrance said into the silence.

“Let’s hope. My gut tells me this Gomez fellow thinks I’m as guilty as sin and aims to take me on.”

“That was my impression, too. Most likely he’s trying to make a name for himself, and he sees this case as the way to do it.”

“Who knows? But I’m not going to put up with much from him, I can tell you that.”

Terrance smiled. “Knowing you, I wouldn’t think so. He’s more than met his match, but I don’t think he realizes it.” Terrance’s smile widened. “When he does, he’ll back off.”

“Hallie won’t put up with him, either. When he didn’t have anything substantial to hold me on, she whisked me out of there in nothing flat.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.” Terrance took a healthy gulp from his glass. “What’s the next step?”

“I’m supposed to meet with their big criminal gun in the morning.” Jackson shrugged. “She’s insisting, so I have no choice.”

“You’d better look on it as a gift. If this thing turns nasty, and it very well could, then it may take both of them to keep you out of jail.”

“You’re a lot of comfort,” Jackson responded drolly.

“It’s the truth and you know it.”

Jackson rubbed the back of his neck, his muscles as tight as violin strings. “You’re right, I do. It’s just that—” He broke off, suddenly tired of talking. He was mentally and emotionally drained. However, he knew that if he went home and tried to sleep, his efforts would be in vain. His body and mind were on fire.

Besides, he needed to go into the club and make his usual rounds to the customers’ tables. He wanted to make sure they were happy and contented and getting their money’s worth. After all, satisfying the clientele was his strong suit and his main job.

As if the silence unnerved him, Terrance stood. “I guess I’d best get back out front. I need to make sure the DJ’s pleasing the dancers.”

“I was thinking the same thing—about going out front, that is.”

“I can handle things.”

“I don’t doubt it, but I need the personal contact, especially right now. I don’t particularly want to be alone with my thoughts.”

“I understand. But it’s going to be all right. Hallie’s a fireball who burns anyone who gets in her way. She’ll have Gomez straightened out in no time.”

For the first time that evening, Jackson grinned. “That’s one reason why I went to her.”

“But it’s not the only reason?”

“Yes, it is,” Jackson said coldly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to step out of bounds—”

Terrance left, leaving Jackson alone with his unsettling thoughts.

Seven

“No wonder you’re exhausted after the kids leave for the bus.”

Maria Gomez sank into the dining room chair across from her husband and smiled. “It’s about time you saw the morning fiasco.”

Detective Knox Gomez gave her a leering grin. “I was about to suggest we grab a quickie before I left for the station.”

Maria picked up a piece of cold toast from one of the kids’ plates and threw it at him, though a grin spread across her wide features. “In your dreams.”

“Why not? They’re free.” Gomez sobered. “We haven’t had much time alone lately.”

Maria’s dark, expressive eyes widened. “And whose fault is that? You’re never home anymore, Knox.”

“I know, and I’m not happy about it.”

“Then, do something about it. The kids miss you.”

“And I miss them.”

Maria had started to gather the breakfast plates left by the three children when Knox reached out a hand and stopped her. “That can wait. I’d like your attention for a while.”

Maria paused and narrowed her eyes. “I’d like that as well, only not in the morning when we both should be at work.”

“That’s what I’d like to talk to you about. I want you to quit your job and stay home.”

“You’re asking the impossible. We’re barely making ends meet now.”

“Maybe that’s about to change.”

Maria raised her eyebrows. “Oh?”

“Maybe we might even have another baby.”

That brought Maria to her feet. “You can forget that, Knox.”

He frowned. “You don’t have the final say, you know.”

“Since it’s the wear-and-tear on my body, I feel I have the majority vote.” She stared down at him. “If that’s what you want to talk about, I’m not interested.”

His lips tightened. “You’re not doing anything I wouldn’t approve of, are you?”

“Like taking birth control pills?”