Madison Westin 02-Deception in Paradise (4 page)

“I walked in.” He smiled, looking me up and down.

I picked up his shoes and threw them at him. “You’re a long way from home.” He was born and raised in South Carolina with a family that went back several generations. I was sad that his family had become a casualty of the divorce.

He threw his shoes back on the floor. “Maybe not.” He picked up his beer and finished it off.

“Are you drunk? You’re not making any sense.” He looked healthy. Gone was the twitchy, street-junkie look and, along with it, the gray pallor and sunken eyes. He looked more like the man I’d married.

“I’m sober. I’ve been drug and cigarette-free for a year now. I’m here to check out a business opportunity.”

He had a self-assured look on his face that worried me. “Care to elaborate?”

“Real estate deal, like the old days.”

“I liked those days,” I said. “The first few years were fun ones. We were a successful team then. The market has changed a lot.”

Someone pounded on the front door, and it sounded a lot like a cop knock. “Hi, Kevin,” I said, opening the door. In or out of his uniform, there was no doubt Kevin Cory was a cop, filling the doorway, official looking. “What’s up?”

“We got a report there was a prowler in the neighborhood. I thought I’d stop by, check on you.” Kevin walked in and immediately saw Jax. His eyes flashed with annoyance. “Your name, sir?”

“Jackson Devereaux. My friends call me Jax.” He used his friendly, good-old-boy smile.

“Kevin, what’s going on?” I asked.

Kevin turned and looked at me. “He fits the description of the prowler. I’d like to see some identification,” he said to Jax.

“This is my ex-husband. He’s a lot of things, but he’s not a prowler.” Someone in the neighborhood must have seen him, probably my neighbor Mr. Wicker.

Jax picked up the briefcase sitting next to him on the floor, pulled out his driver’s license, and handed it to Kevin.

Kevin looked at the license. “I didn’t realize that the two of you had gotten back together,” he said to me.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

Kevin handed me the license.

“This isn’t possible,” I said. The address read 3 Cove Road. “This is a fake.”

“I looked it over carefully, Madison, and it doesn’t appear to be fake,” Kevin informed me.

“It’s a crime to give a fraudulent address to get your license. I can arrest you here and now,” Kevin told Jax with authority.

“This is my house,” Jax said. “I have no intention of going anywhere.”

“Jax, what are you up to?” I asked. Kevin had been to my house before, but never on official business. He knew Jax was lying.

“Do you have any proof to back up your claim?” Kevin demanded.

“As a matter of fact, I do.” Jax winked at me.

“That’s not possible,” I mumbled.

I could see Jax’s response surprised Kevin as much as it did me. “I want to see the proof now, and if you’re wasting my time, I’m arresting you.”

Jax handed Kevin a file folder. He looked through the papers and passed them to me. There was legal correspondence from a law firm, his car registration, and voter card, all of it addressed to Jax at my address.

Kevin turned to me. “Madison, if you want him out, there’s nothing I can do to help you. He went to a lot of work to get all of the right paperwork to establish that he lives here, and now it’s a matter for a judge. You’ll have to take him to court and go through a formal eviction.”

“I can handle this,” I said.

“Watch yourself,” Kevin said to Jax. “You so much as jaywalk in this town, and I’ll arrest you and lose the paperwork.” Kevin motioned toward me. “I want to talk to you in the kitchen.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jax smile and give Kevin the finger.

“Thanks for not arresting him. I don’t know what’s going on, but I can work it out with him.”

“The bottom line is you can’t throw him out. It’s now a civil case, and a judge has to decide. How long it takes depends on what he wants and how hard he wants to fight. He’s a slick bastard, I’ll give him that.”

“Thanks for the info.”

“One more thing, if this doesn’t turn out to be as easy as you think, it wouldn’t be good for you if he got the shit kicked out of him, or worse, disappeared altogether. You make it clear to your friend Spoon and any of your other questionable friends that he’s off limits.”

Spoon ran a local auto body repair shop, among other things. Those other things never got discussed. He’d scared me when I first met him, but I soon found out there were two sides to him: the hardened one from his years in prison and the charming one, the one that flirted with my mother. She assured me they only shared an occasional cigar. I knew without a doubt that if I asked Spoon, Jax would disappear, no trace.

“Thanks, Kev. It’s not going to come to anything rash. I’m glad you drew the short straw on the prowler call.”

“I volunteered when the call came over the radio.” He laughed. “Never a dull moment in this neighborhood. Case closed. It looks like our prowler is only going to be a pain in your behind.”

“I’ve been forgetting to ask you, have you heard of a Luc Baptiste? My aunt left an envelope for him, and no one seems to have known him, and I need a forward.”

He paused for a beat before answering. “I can ask around, and if I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”

I was anxious when Kevin walked out with Jax still sitting on my couch. What was he up to? How much trouble could he be in? I already knew from past experience: a lot.

“What the hell have you done now?”

“You’ve been a naughty girl.” He smirked.

“Just give me a straight answer and tell me what you’re up to.”

“I wondered where the slot machine went.” He pointed to where it sat in the corner, shaking his finger at me.

“All was fine when you thought your worthless cousin stole and pawned the damn thing. You’re evading my questions. I want to make something clear right now. This is a new day. What’s mine is not yours.”

Jax stood and went to the kitchen to get another bottle of beer. “You need to sit down and keep an open mind until I finish.”

I put my hands over my face and moaned. “I can’t promise.”

“It’s going to seem worse than it really is,” Jax started.

I sighed. “Just blurt it out.”

“I got into some trouble in South Carolina, and I needed a lawyer to straighten everything out.”

“What kind of trouble?”

“I was on probation for a DUI and violated it by not being at home when my probation officer came by for bed check.”

“Okay. How did you manage to involve me?”

“A lawyer contacted me and told me he would represent me for free, and all I had to do was sue you for half of this house.”

“You bastard!”

“I know it sounds bad.”

“Really? You think it sounds bad that you’re going to help someone take my house. On what grounds?”

“Calm down. I had this idea of how I could get the good lawyer and you keep your house. I promise I’m not going to sue you.”

“This sounds like bad news to me,” I said.

“Oh, stop. I still love you. I’m not the one who wanted the divorce. You left me.” He reached out to touch me.

I pulled away. “Why would a lawyer in South Carolina want half my house? What do you do with that?” I shook my head. “That’s if you can jump the hurdle of not ever being on the title.”

“Lloyd Samuels, a well-known criminal attorney, offered to make all my problems go away. He assured me he could get my case settled without jail time. I’d like to be able to go home and visit my family without fear of arrest.”

“I don’t even know Lloyd Samuels. Did he say why he wanted my property?”

“He told me flat out I couldn’t ask any questions. It was a take-it-or-leave-it deal.”

“Did he at least tell you why he thinks he has a case?”

“According to Samuels, half of this is mine.” Jax threw out his arm, encompassing the room. “He says it’s because you didn’t disclose this house in the divorce.”

“How could I disclose this house in the divorce when I didn’t own it?”

“You were on the title long before Elizabeth died and while we were still married.”

That caught me by surprise. “Cut to the chase and tell me how you plan to screw your lawyer, who, by your own admission, is a good one, and somehow not end up screwing me.”

“I told him I wasn’t signing anything until I had proof that my case was closed and I could breathe when I walked by a cop and not expect to get arrested.”

I stared at him. “Was this your real estate deal?”

“I was working my way around to giving you the details.”

“This is nothing like the old days. We were honest and aboveboard. We got screwed a couple of times, but we didn’t do it back.” I wanted to help him, and I wanted him gone all in the same emotion.

“Honey girl, I love you. I know you remember how great we were together. We had good times. We could be happy again if you’d give us another chance. Come over here. I’ll show you.” He held out his arms.

“Don’t even suggest that we sleep together. Not going to happen. Mr. Samuels took your word that you’d file suit against me?”

“Once he’s negotiated a plea in my case, I’ll have to ink his deal before my own.”

“Do I get a vote?” I asked.

“This deal is going to work. He can’t do anything without me, and I’m not signing a lawsuit.”

His reassurance did nothing to calm the foot that had gotten inside my stomach and begun kicking me.

“Come on, Madison. Let’s start over.”

“No, and don’t suggest it again. Do you have keys to my house?”

“You left the French doors unlocked. I need to stay a few days to make it look like I’m doing my part because I know Samuels is keeping tabs on me.”

“I want to help you, but it feels like this is going to cost me.” I picked up Jazz and started up the stairs. “I’m calling my lawyer in the morning.”

“If you change your mind, I put my suitcase in the other bedroom,” Jax called.

I stopped on the stairs. “This is not permanent. Don’t get too comfortable. I’d hate to have to shoot you, so don’t come near my bedroom.”

He laughed. “Sweet dreams, honey.”

CHAPTER 6

I lay staring at the ceiling, Jazz snoring next to me, when I heard the doorknob jiggle.

I couldn’t believe Jax was trying to get into my bedroom. Scaring him was going to be fun. I slid open the drawer of my nightstand and pulled out a 9-millimeter baby Glock. A birthday gift from Brad.

When I heard a pick inserted into the lock, I knew it wasn’t Jax. Besides not knowing how to pick a lock, Jax was too lazy, especially when he could put his foot to the door. The door opened and closed quietly. I snapped on the light and aimed my Glock at the intruder.

“That’s not the greeting I was expecting,” he said, taking a step forward.

“Stop right there.”

“Okay, don’t get excited.” He watched me intently. “Is the safety on?”

“No. Take off your clothes.”

“I don’t like this kind of foreplay.” He took off his shirt and tossed it on the chair.

“I’ve had a crappy day, and I’m the one with the gun. Hurry up, or I’ll shoot you in the knee so you’ll limp the rest of your life.”

“You’d go to jail.” He kicked off his shoes, then unzipped his pants and let them fall to the floor.

“I don’t think so. I have friends.” Watching him undress turned me on. I loved everything about him. I pulled my T-shirt over my head and threw it at him. “Come on.” I crooked my finger.

He stood silently, all muscle, rock-hard abs and ass. “The gun is a hindrance to hot sex.”

“Stop with the excuses.” I put my Glock back in the drawer.

He walked to the end of the bed, pulled my leg, and stretched me out underneath him. “I know you’ve missed me.” He took my face in his hands, his lips pressed hard against mine, and he slipped his tongue in my mouth, eager and hungry. He pulled away slightly, studying my face.

“Yes, Zach Lazarro, I’ve missed you,” I whispered. I tried to kiss him, but he wouldn’t let me. When I first moved to The Cove, Zach had become my boyfriend to help me keep my more unstable suitors at bay.

He grabbed both my arms and held them against the bed, kissing me unmercifully. He lifted his head, moving down, and his tongue expertly found my left nipple. I groaned and wrapped my legs around his middle to bring him closer.

Zach pulled me up, and I straddled his lap. He entered me quickly, filling me completely. I was aware of nothing but incredible feelings ripping through my body.

Afterward, I rolled off him, and we lay next to each other on the bed. Zach and I had an undefined relationship. We were exclusive, he always came to my rescue, and I returned the favor.

“Is that Dickhead downstairs?” he asked.

“That would be him.” Zach always knew what was going on with me. On the occasions I slipped off the radar, he got bossy and protective.

“Kev called and told me about Dickhead being reported as a prowler. Kevin couldn’t figure out how he managed to get legitimate paperwork making it look like this was his primary residence and no one found out. He told me he’d have to arrest me if I killed the asshole.”

“I got the same warning, but it’s not going to come to violence. Jax had some help from a South Carolina lawyer. The paperwork was from his lawyer’s law firm and you know anyone can get a driver’s license over the counter.”

Zach nibbled on my neck. “What does he want?”

“He’s in trouble and needs my help.” I related everything Jax had told to me.

“Throw him out. Let him figure out his own problems.”

“I’m going to get some legal advice of my own in the morning.”

“I wonder which one of the neighbors noticed him lurking around?” Zach asked. “How long has he been in town?”

“No idea. People come and go a lot around here.” I rolled on top of him. “Enough about Jax. Our time together is too short. Tell me you’re staying.”

“I thought we’d have breakfast in the morning.”

“We need to take it to the Bakery Café. I don’t want any confrontations until I have a plan.” I kissed his chest.

“I’m a phone call away if you need me.”