Hard Days Knight: Under-Cover Knights, Book 1 (15 page)

D
el had just flipped
her stereo to auxiliary and selected her favorite playlist when the doorbell rang. When she opened the door to her apartment, she smiled. Luc leaned against the far wall, once again dressed in camo fatigues but sans the fake weapons. Even with the bruising on one side of his face, he looked even better to her now than he had then.

“Deja vu,” she said. “Did you dress for me, or did you have a soldier shoot or whatever you call it?”

“You guessed it, photo shoot,” he said, pushing away from the wall. “Did I wake you?”

“No, I was fiddling with the stereo, fixin’ to have a glass of wine. Come in,” she said as she swung the door wide to admit him. She shut the door. When she turned, he was a breath away, his eyes intense. He looked her over, fingered a wisp of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. Loosely wrapping his arms around her he looked down into her eyes. “Hard day, huh?”

“You’ve had some hard days yourself lately,” Del pointed out.

His gorgeous eyes scanned her face. “I’ve missed you,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”

She expelled a breath and leaned her forehead on his wide chest, inhaling his pleasant scent and that divine after shave, pleased that he’d thought about her. He was such an intuitive guy where women were concerned. All those sisters she supposed.

“I’m okay.” She lifted her face to his for a kiss. It was sweet and comfortable with just a little heat at the end but once again, he stopped, understanding that she wasn’t in the mood. Yet.

She took his hand and led him over to the couch. “Would you like something to drink? Wine, a beer?” She held up her glass of red wine.

“That looks good.” She walked to the wine rack in the dining room. “I just left Jude and Thomas over at the church. Jude’s staying there for a while.”

“Good. I’ll know where to find him.” She poured him a glass of wine and walked back into the living room.

“Is he still in trouble?” asked Luc.

She shook her head. “I don’t think anything will come of the charges now that we know what happened. But I want to talk to both of them about the consequences of what they did.”

“You were upset when you found out who Jude’s brother was.”

“Did you know?” Delilah pursed her lips.

“I knew his last name, but no, I didn’t know his brother was the one who shot Thomas. I don’t think Thomas wanted anyone to know.”

“Well you’d think he would have told his family.” Del’s voice held an edge.

“What are you mad at your brother for exactly? I’ve only known Thomas for a couple of years. I didn’t know how he wound up in the wheelchair until after I came home from service. So it’s not something he talks about. Jude doesn’t talk about his family, either. I guess Thomas’ parishioners know…”

“See, the fact that I don’t know the answers to those questions about my own brother…it’s just…” Del rubbed her forehead with her fingertips then leaned her head back on Luc’s good shoulder. “It’s like you said, I have to talk to him. This is the week to make things right. It’s not that we’re estranged or anything, it’s just not
easy
, and the problem is pretty much one-sided. The chicken on one side, the flock on the other.”

He kissed her forehead. “You’re not a chicken.”

“I don’t know, Luc. At the very least I’ve been in denial about Thomas’ injury. Look at what I said to you the other night about him being ‘whole’.
Crap.
If I’d said that to him I’d have never forgiven myself. Mom and I are having lunch tomorrow.”

“And you’re nervous. Don’t be. Remember what I told you about family—they can be our harshest critics and push harder than anyone but they’re the first to defend or forgive.”

“I hope so.”

He hugged her. “Count on it.”

She took his hand. “Come with me. I’ve decided you can be trusted with my secrets.”

He looked pleased and followed her through the sliding glass doors to her back yard. The rose beds were illuminated by a soft light and Luc’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the award-winning blossoms, four abundant beds in an array of colors. “Man, you weren’t kidding. You just happen to have a few…roses.” He leaned over and sniffed a couple.

“Here,” she pointed to a deep red beauty. “This one has the strongest scent.”

“Wow, this is… impressive. Where’s no-name? The new one?”

She crooked her finger. He followed the narrow path to a section that was divided by flagging and in a separate bed. He could tell which rose by the pleased look on Del’s face. “My beauty, Sunrise Tropicalis. Her new name.” The rose was a deep red coral with streaks of pink and yellow along the edges of the petals.

“It’s damn pretty,” he said.

She laughed. “I know, you have to be a rose fanatic to appreciate it, but trust me, this rose is special.”

“Like her creator,” Luc said, flexing his arm before reaching for her.

“How’s the shoulder? Didn’t you have a follow up visit with the orthopedist today?”

“I go back tomorrow. Ridge came up with this idea for a wounded hero shoot so I actually worked today…” he paused… “with Mercy.”

“But I thought Ridge said you wouldn’t have to work with her after Friday?” Delilah frowned. She didn’t like Mercy Love and it wasn’t…well, it wasn’t
just
jealousy.

“He talked to her. Surprisingly she was pretty cool about everything. We did the shoot and didn’t have a problem. Roger actually complimented her on her focus.”

“Surprisingly is the operative word.”

“Are you jealous, sweetheart?”

She snorted, “You’ve got to be kidding. Of that over-sexed, dyed-blonde Pamela Anderson wannabe? Have I convinced you yet?” She laughed. “She does have all the most desired assets.”

“Not my most desired,” he said.

“Wait!” She turned and sat on the edge of the couch. “I thought you were working with Taylor today.”

“Ridge said Taylor left a message on the answering machine Sunday. She quit, no notice. He was surprised at that. She had an offer from Wexler Studios.”

Del’s eyes narrowed. “Pretty convenient for Mercy. Does that mean she gets Taylor’s shoots?”

“Wow, you really are a suspicious woman,” teased Luc.

“Okay, but promise you’ll tell me if you have a problem.”

“Yes, mother.” He kissed the frown lines between her eyebrows, then lower to each eyelid, her neck…

“I am not your mother big guy.”

She showed him in X-rated ways he could understand without words. Then when his tongue circled her breast all thoughts of his job, family or her suspicions faded into the distance as Luc lowered her onto the wide cushions of the chaise and kissed his way down the length of her body.

“
Y
ou’ve got visitors
,” said the receptionist through Del and Jed’s open door.

The familiar face of Victoria Larue peeked around the doorframe. “Delilah. I hope we’re not bothering you.”

“Not at all. Please, come in.”

We? Del sprung out of her chair. Samantha stuck her head around her mother’s and waved. “Surprise.”

The chair squawked behind Jed’s desk and he rose. Delilah introduced them. “Victoria and Samantha Larue, Jed Stern, my partner.”

“Nice to meet you ladies,” Jed said, his eyes lingering a few seconds on Samantha. “I’ll just go grab a cup of coffee and let you visit.”

Samantha said, “That’s not necessary, Jed. We did drop in unannounced, and we’ll only be a minute.”

Jed chose to leave the hen party anyway for the safety of the break room. Samantha sat down in his seat.

“How are you feeling, Samantha?”

“Ravenous.” She smiled. “We thought you might like to join us for lunch.”

Del looked at Victoria. “I’d like that, but I’m supposed to be taking my mom for lunch today.” Victoria considered that for a moment, recalling their talk at the reunion. “If you don’t have anything special planned, maybe you both would like to come.”

Anything
special
—like trying to make amends? Del thought. Victoria wasn’t pressing her though.

Samantha said, “It’s kind of an extra treat for mom since I wasn’t here to celebrate Mother’s Day. She picked Ladeaux’s on the River.”

Delilah’s mouth watered. It was one of her family’s favorites as well. She tapped her pencil on the desk then making the decision, picked up the phone. “Hi, mom.” Her mother sounded excited about their lunch so Delilah decided to let her make the choice. If she wanted Del’s undivided attention, Del would be able to tell. “Luc’s mom and sister dropped by and wanted to know if we’d like to join them for lunch at Ladeaux’s.”

She held the phone out so they could hear her mother’s delighted answer. “I think that’s a yes,” she said, putting the phone back to her ear. “Okay, I’ll pick you up in thirty minutes.”

When she replaced the receiver Victoria said, “I’m glad it worked out, Del. We’ll go on ahead and make sure we get a table for four.”

Again Delilah felt a stab of guilt. She was relieved to be sharing the lunch experience with her mother and Luc’s family. Maybe it would help smooth things over with her mother to have them along, as kind of a buffer.

Jed walked in with a whistle, closing the door behind him. “Do all the women in the family look like Vogue magazine models? The sister—”

“Samantha. She’s a doctor.”

“She’s also a friggin’ goddess.” He wasn’t grinning. To the contrary, he looked a bit shell-shocked.

Well, well, Del thought. She’d never seen that look on her partner’s face. She wondered if she should mention that Samantha was pregnant. There might be a man in the picture.

Helloo…pregnant—man in the picture. She made a mental correction—she didn’t know what Sam’s situation with the baby’s father was, but she decided not to mention it.

“I’m going to lunch. I’ll see you when I get back.”

“Hmm, having lunch with the boyfriend’s family. Da da dada! Da da dada!”

“Remind me not to recommend you to sing the wedding march, partner. And…stuff it.”

He laughed hilariously as she grabbed her keys and left their office, calling Luc on the way out the door.

L
uc felt
like a new man when Dr. Spencer told him his shoulder wasn’t fractured. It would still continue to be painful if he overdid it, the doctor warned him.

“Have you been taking the meds I sent?”

“I must have been more addled than I thought. I don’t think I’ve received any meds in the mail.” Come to think of it his mailbox had been completely empty for several days now—not even junk mail.

“Hmm, well you seem to be getting along okay without them so we’ll let it slide for now. I want to see you in two weeks,” Dr. Spencer said. “And don’t try to pay the bill. Ridge took care of it.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Luc said shaking the doctor’s hand.

He thumbed his buzzing phone on as he walked to the crowded parking lot adjacent to the specialist’s two-story building. “Hey, Del, I’m putting you on speaker,” he said as he backed out of the lot.

“How did the appointment go?” Del asked.

“The shoulder’s not cracked, and I’m progressing nicely even without
some
medication the doctor sent.”

“Why weren’t you taking it?” She sounded like one of his sisters.

“I didn’t receive them. I guess they were lost in the mail. Anyway, I’m great. Don’t go back for two weeks. What’s up with you?”

“I just had a surprise visit from Victoria and Samantha.”

“And—” Luc already knew they were going by the station. His mother had called earlier to ask if he thought it would be okay.

“They’re meeting me and mom for lunch. I thought maybe Mom would want to have a private moment with me to…”

“Jump your—”

“Yeah.”

“I told you it would work out. Let Victoria and Samantha be the buffers if you think you need them. Let me know how it goes. I’m headed to a shoot. Ridge wants to take some stock photos.”

“What are they for?”

Luc pulled onto the highway leading to the studio. “They’re images that are sold through sites like Fotoshots to graphic artists, writers, advertisers.”

“More dress-up?” she teased.

Luc laughed. “Yeah, you’d get a kick out of it. Maybe you can run by later and observe. I might be dressed as a soldier, businessman, super hero or surfer dude. I’ve played a cop a few times as well. Ridge has a list of requests he goes by.”

“Any nude shots?”

“No. But I can pose for you tonight…” Luc said.

There was a slight pause then Del asked, “Will Mercy be there?”

Luc assumed Mercy would have her own session. “I’m not sure. I only saw a partial list yesterday. There might be a few ‘couple’ shoots, hugging, walking the phony beach, dancie poses…”

Delilah recognized a moment of sheer envy that Mercy might have her picture recorded for posterity dancing with Luc.

“Hello? Del?”

“I’m here.”
I just wish you didn’t have to work with that woman.
“And I guess I’d better go pick Mom up. We’re meeting at Ladeaux’s on the River.”

“Allright. Have fun. Love ya.” Luc clicked off before she had a chance to respond. “There. Put that in your gun and shoot it,” he quoted the “Commander” to the empty car.

T
he minute
they sat down Del’s mother and Victoria never shut up. Del looked across the table at Samantha and was met with the same rueful smile she felt donned her face. She liked Samantha; could see them becoming fast friends—like their mothers had apparently.

Del didn’t have any women friends. Not because she didn’t like women—she did, but her partner was male, she worked with mostly men, and the women she worked with were subordinates, which made it awkward. And, she hadn’t made time for relationships outside her job.

That was changing though. She was changing. Their lunch made her feel like she had her mother’s forgiveness without having asked for it. She simply enjoyed Del’s company, hugged her, laughed with the other women, even talked about the food kitchen activities with Tommy at the church on Sunday.

Del’s conversation with Luc Saturday night came to mind. She was beginning to see that the problem she’d been projecting on her relationship with her mother was non-existent, at least on her mother’s end.

In the parking lot over a goodbye kiss, Patricia said, “I know what you think, sweetie, that I tried to wreck your chances with the academy. Can we sit over here for a minute, you have time?”

Following her mother to the iron two-seater Del sat then studied her mother surreptitiously. She’d aged and it was noticeable only because Del had been absent so much, but her mother was still lovely and graceful and, “How in the world did you and Dad ever wind up together?”

Her laugh was a high tinkling sound of delight. “Ah, that is a story you need to hear but I’m not going to let you distract me from the conversation we’ve been needing to have for years. Honey, you knew my daddy was a cop, right?”

Del nodded. “Papa O’Malley? He retired with the force.” His picture still hung in the halls of the police department as did all past “lifers”.

“He did, but what I don’t think you know was that he was shot in the line of duty when I was six years old. It traumatized me, Del; for years I couldn’t sleep at night until he got home safely. I had to have counseling in high school to get over the fear of losing him.

“Ironically, when Thomas was shot it made me realize that we are all at risk when we walk out into this world, if we live our lives fully. It wasn’t that I didn’t want you to become a cop, I just felt…that you were too young to decide on a future that could affect your future family more than a lot of professions. But you know, young ladies of a certain age don’t like hearing that they might be taking the wrong path…” Her mother smiled lovingly at Del.

“I didn’t listen.”

“You were hurt, and angry, honey, we knew that. We all were.”

“I’m sorry, Mom, especially that I haven’t been an adult about this and let the misunderstanding go on for so long.”

“But Delilah, I was wrong. You’ve made a great cop, a cop your grandfather would have been very proud of, just as the rest of us are. You did the right thing. If you just follow your heart, you can’t go wrong.”

Easy forgiveness
. It was like Luc said—when families love each other, forgiveness is easy. She promised herself it was a lesson she wouldn’t let herself forget, that the worry and projecting had been the worst part.

“Everything’s going to be fine, honey. Your father and I are proud of you. We tell you often enough.” Del’s eyes had filled with tears. It just took a little heartfelt praise from a woman’s mother to make her remember how important that unconditional support and acceptance was, and make her feel like a teenager again. “I love you, too, Mom.”

And just to show Del she had her finger on the pulse of her family Patricia asked, “Have you been over to see the soup kitchen at your brother’s church? It’s been quite successful, though he’s had some problems getting enough people to serve. They feed over a thousand people a day.”

“I haven’t, Mom, but I promise I’ll run by there tomorrow.” A glimmer of tears shown in the older woman’s eyes and Del hugged her. “I’ve missed you, Mom.”

“It was fun having lunch with Victoria and Samantha. It’s always nice to make some new friends.”

“I knew you’d like them.” The two women hadn’t fooled Del. They were casual and they were subtle, but they were matchmakers of the first order.

“Now, when do I get to meet that handsome cover model son of Vic’s?”

“Soon, I promise. He’s known Thomas for a while, so you might have seen him.”

“Oh, I’ve seen him,” eyebrows animated, her mother chuckled. Bill:

She’s seen a Luc cover. Interesting, thought Delilah.