Janet Evanovich owns them, I just play with them for fun
Chapter 2
He loved his mother, so when her eyes filled with hopeful entreaty he acquiesced and told her yes. He knew she had an ulterior motive and for a moment he'd considered asking Tulia to accompany him, then he'd thought better. His father was away on business, and of all her children Carlos alone shared her love of classical music.
His mother was well known for her patronage of the arts in the Newark and Trenton area. Her long-time protégé was coming out tonight. Leida Velasquez had become his mother's pet project many years ago and Leida was no stranger to anyone in his family. She was but a child when he'd left to join the Army, and when he'd returned home she was a beautiful young woman. His mother adopted Leida as her pet cause and found scholarships and hosted fund-raisers. Leida had been accepted to a prestigious school for the performing arts and was destined to be a star. Her first concert as a professional pianist was as a guest soloist for the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and the reception following was to honor both the performer and her patroness.
Carlos' mother was several years younger than his father, so the fact that Leida was ten years his junior wasn't off-putting to his Mama's plan at all. She'd picked Leida for Carlos and the concert was her first step in putting her plan into action. His mother wasn't often thwarted, but she would be this time, there was no question. Carlos had been friendly toward Leida the times they met in recent years, but the poor girl suffered from such a crush on him she couldn't reciprocate his friendliness. The minute she got close to him she blushed, lost the ability to carry on conversation and turned away from him in agonizing shyness.
Carlos knew his mother's plan was to substitute Leida for Tulia. Tulia Campos was from an old and respected Cuban family. Their families' friendship went back many years. On paper, Tulia seemed to be a good match for her son, but Mama didn't like Tulia, whom she considered to be manipulative and opportunistic. She had no idea why Carlos was seeing her, and he would have been happier if she didn't know about the two of them at all. On rare occasions, he and Tulia were seen publicly. They lunched infrequently and sometimes ran into each other at social functions, and someone must have seen them together and reported it to his mother.
Now that she knew, he was determined to keep the parameters of the relationship well hidden from his mother. He didn't think she would understand the 'friends with benefits' aspect of it, and if he was to be truthful, it was really less than that. He didn't consider Tulia a friend. She was a strong woman who, at the beginning, had been more than willing to jump into a sexual partnership with her longtime acquaintance, Carlos. "A woman has needs, too," she'd said.
He'd given thought lately to what, exactly, Tulia needed. The presence of Rogay Alvarado in her apartment the other day would have been no cause for suspicion, had both Alvarado and Tulia not acted as though they were trying to conceal something. Possibly the need Tulia had been referring to, prior to their first time together, had been the need to find a suitable husband. Carlos couldn't fill that role and wouldn't, even if he could. He heard a distinctly musical laugh, feminine and charming and turned to see the woman he was sleeping with across the salon.
Tulia Campos looked stunning in a strapless blue gown and the look Rogay Alvarado was giving her didn't look like he was paying a duty call on the daughter of his co-worker. Carlos sighed. It had been good while it lasted. He turned and walked toward the bar. At least he could make his mother happy tonight.
As he made his way back across the crowded room, he was aware of the interest he generated. His mother and father were well known within the circle of attendees, but his own appearances were infrequent. His wide shoulders, which filled out the custom made tuxedo jacket perfectly, along with the sparkle of a diamond stud visible through the length of hair that flowed freely onto his shoulders gave him an air of danger. His mother would have preferred a more conventional look, but he couldn't accommodate her.
The hair and earring were necessary to the success of his plan. He was a highly trained ex-Army Ranger, so he had the skills to back up what Tulia had referred to as his street thug look. It was important that he be known and respected in areas of the city that were worlds away from the place he'd lived as a child. His appearance and a 'don't mess with me' attitude helped his street persona as someone to be wary of. Both his parents knew, and mildly disapproved, of the plan, but accepted his right to choose his own future.
He spotted his target and moved toward her, handing her the glass of champagne. He waiting for the blush and stammer, but it didn't happen. Leida Velasquez smiled widely and accepted his offering.
"You did a beautiful job this evening," he told her, surprised to note it was true. He knew she was talented, as his mother had an unerring knack for finding true talent, but when he'd seen her solo piece listed on the program he'd wondered at the wisdom of her choice. He knew she'd have the technical skill to pull off Tchaikovsky, but he was surprised at the maturity and the passion she'd infused into the piece.
"Thank you," she told him. "I was a little nervous at first, but then as I began to play my awareness of everything but the music faded away." Where was the stammering, shy girl he'd remembered? The woman in front of him was confident, beautiful, and judging from the way she was looking at him, interested. He felt a stirring of desire as he looked down at her lithe figure encased in the conservative black dress she'd worn on stage.
"You're looking very handsome tonight, Carlos, and very different from the way you looked when you were in the Army." Her eyes met his directly and there was no blush. Apparently, the maturation process had extended beyond her musical abilities. Her eyes were inviting him to do something he suddenly found he was interested in doing.
Then he noticed the slight tremble of her fingers wrapped tightly around the champagne glass. He reined in the burgeoning desire, because unlike Tulia this girl didn't know there were rules. Tulia knew and chose to ignore them, but Leida didn't know and she would be hurt, and he wasn't into hurting women. Especially women his mother had picked for him. It wasn't going to happen, and he found he was a little disappointed about that.
He knew he'd be dropping by Tulia's later in the evening and he knew it wasn't going to happen with Tulia either. He didn't think she'd be expecting him and he didn't think she'd be alone. He might as well sweep the slate clean in one night.
Within the hour he became aware that Tulia was gone. He found his mother in the middle of a group of her friends.
"Mother, may I have a word with you?" he asked.
Claudia Mañoso smiled at her son and tilted her head slightly toward the dance floor. There was a combo playing softly and a few couples dancing on the small parquet square. Carlos recognized her ploy and dutifully guided her onto the floor. She was a tiny woman whose dark eyes reflected the strength and determination shining from his gaze. Her full head of silver hair cascaded freely on her shoulders in a fashion not dissimilar to her son's. She was a beautiful woman who was totally committed to her family and her charitable work. She would use this public opportunity to place her hands on the child she loved and worried about. As a mother she had the need to make a physical connection with her child, even if he was all grown up and very much his own man.
"What is it?"
"I have to leave, Mama. I have business to attend to."
"You're not leaving the country again, are you?" she asked with true concern making her voice husky. His parents knew of his government contract work and while he'd never led them to believe it was dangerous, they'd arrived at the conclusion without any confirmation from him.
"No, nothing like that. It's just something that needs to be dealt with tonight. I'll call Charles for you," he said referring to his mother's long time chauffeur. "And then I need to leave."
"Well, you'll have to finish this dance with me," she said holding his arm firmly. She knew better than to argue with him. He wouldn't leave her if it was unimportant. "Carlos, I need to ask you. You're not upset with me? About the apartment, I mean."
He smiled down at her. "No Mama, I'm not upset. But I will pursue the business on my own terms. I accept your gift for what it was, an act of love."
"Why are you so stubborn?" she asked. "You have your own personal fortune now that your grandfather is gone. Why do you insist on earning the money you need when you could use the money you have? What you do is very dangerous, I'm sure of it."
"We've been over this before, Mama. I want to make my own way. I love the family, but I must do this on my own. I accept your gift of the apartment, but…no more. The rest is my job."
She hung her head for a moment and then looked up with fire in her eyes. "You say you aren't angry about the apartment, but I think you are. What did you expect? You bring your father and me to an empty building to show us where your business will be and show us where you will live someday. Then you tell us you will disappear for as long as six months and we won't be able to contact you. I had the apartment decorated and furnished to keep my mind from worrying about the danger I knew you were in. You don't need the money, Carlos. To earn it in this fashion is crazy."
Carlos sighed. "I appreciate what you did. It's beautiful, and I am living there. But you've done enough. The rest I will do. As for my dangerous work, I won't be going away much anymore. I am getting ready to start work on the business full-time. And as for why I earn money in the fashion I do, it's what I do best. I'm not cut out to run the family business and if you won't admit it, at least Papa will. I am a soldier, not an art importer."
Claudia Mañoso tightened her lips in irritation at the stubbornness of her son. Others might call it determination, but she knew it was plain stubbornness that kept him from using his personal fortune to fund his business. She knew it because he'd inherited the trait from her. She also knew when to attack from a different side. She was a good strategist.
"I will interfere one more time, Carlos," his mother told him. "When your building is finished who will maintain it for you?"
"I haven't thought that far," he admitted.
"Well I have. I have a cousin and she and her husband would do fine in that position. They need the work and they would do well for you."
"You're referring to Ella and Luis?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Ella, your cousin, to whom you speak daily? You want me to knowingly place your spy in my midst?"
"Of course!"
He laughed out loud and swung his mother off her feet twirling her around the dance floor. They were oblivious to the looks from younger women, wishing they were in his mother's place, and from older women wishing their sons showed them such devotion.
"Carlos, put me down at once!" she exclaimed.
He did and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. "I love you, Mama." When the song was over he saw her back to her table and called Charles as he made his way out of the building.
When he stood in front of Tulia's door he debated using the key. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his tuxedo pants and pulled out a slim case. Silently he worked on the door. He would move with equal stealth through the apartment to her bedroom where he knew he wouldn't find her alone.
Tulia surprised him. She stood leaning casually against the door frame to her bedroom, clad only in a semi-transparent negligee. The apartment was dark but she was backlit from a soft glow emanating from her bedroom. Candles. He noticed the soft strain of Chopin and there was no doubt a bottle of champagne chilling in a bucket at her bedside. He'd been this route before with a pleasant outcome.
"I knew you'd come," she said. Her arms were folded under the curve of her breasts and he could see the outline of her nipples through the sheer fabric. The scene was set for seduction and he wondered why she thought it would be necessary to coerce him into her bed.
"I knew you'd be jealous when you saw me with Rogay," she continued. Her smile was small, wry and successfully hid the smugness she couldn't quite keep out of her voice. "I told you the other day, he's nothing more than a friend, but I knew the thought of me with someone else would make you insane. I knew you'd come to me. We belong together, Carlos."
Tulia slowly unfolded her arms and ran her hands lightly over her hips, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles. "That insipid Leida following you around, her crush available for everyone to see, was an embarrassment tonight. She could never satisfy you the way I can. Come to me, darling." She held out her arms and let the smugness widen her smile as he took the first step toward her.
When he stood in front of her she leaned in and wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her face to his. He bent his head and brought his lips close to hers. "Where is he?" he breathed against her mouth. She tried to pull back but his arms wrapped around her holding her close. One hand remained against her back while the other put pressure on the back of her neck, pulling her even closer to him.
"Where have you hidden Alvarado? Or is he gone? Did you have a spy at the reception, someone who called as soon as I left?" She tried again, in vain to pull away. It wasn't possible. Her cheeks flushed at his accusation.
"You did," he said with a small laugh. "How far did he get before he had to pull his pants up from around his ankles and run from the apartment? Or maybe, he's still here. Is he under the bed, or maybe hiding in the bathroom behind the shower curtain?"
"Don't be ridiculous," she said. "Rogay is a casual escort. There is nothing between us."
"I don't believe you," Carlos said. He let go of her abruptly and walked into her bedroom. He'd been right. The soft glow of the candlelight reflected off her dresser mirror, and the silver champagne bucket glinted in the dim light. He turned to face her where she was still standing in the door-way.
"You broke our agreement, Tulia. Or maybe you never planned on keeping it. Maybe your plan all along was to work your way into a more advantageous situation. Alvarado is just your back up plan."
"What are you talking about?" she asked as she walked toward him. Her voice was soft as she was still bent on seduction.
"I think you want a more permanent relationship with me," he told her. "Maybe you're aiming for marriage, but you're not sure if your plan will work so you've brought Alvarado in as your back up plan…" The soft buzz of his cell phone interrupted him.
He pulled the phone from his pocket and saw an unknown number. He was expecting a call from an important informant and he didn't think twice about answering. Tulia looked astounded he'd abandon their conversation, but was relieved at the same time as it hadn't been going in the direction she'd foreseen.
He slipped seamlessly into his street persona as he answered with a single word.
"Yo."
"Ranger?"
"Who wants to know?"
"Stephanie Plum. I have a problem." It wasn't his informant, but his student and her timing wasn't good.
"What's the problem?"
There was a short pause and then she said, "I'm handcuffed to my shower curtain rod, and I need someone to open the cuffs."
Ranger waited a moment and then disconnected. He had a responsibility to her, but he had to finish his present task before he could help Stephanie. He slid his phone back into his pocket as Tulia took the opportunity to attack him.
"You think I want to marry you?" she asked. "Which 'you' do you think I want to marry? The normal functioning member of the Mañoso family I have known for many years, or this street thug you morph into? Your personality is split. I'm grateful I've been shown this insanity before our relationship progressed any further." His phone rang again.
"Yo," he said again, this time letting his anger at Tulia show in his voice.
"Don't hang up! This is serious, dammit. I'm trapped in my bathroom. My front door is locked and no one has a key."
"Why don't you call the cops? They love this rescue shit."
"Because I don't want to have to explain to the cops. And besides, I'm naked." He smiled in spite of himself, and listened to her story of Morelli's deed. He took the directions to her apartment and disconnected without committing himself to her rescue, but he knew she was counting on him. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and turned back toward Tulia.
"You broke our agreement, Tulia." His voice was low and cold, any anger he felt toward her hidden behind an expressionless face. "I don't pay you to fuck other men."
The slap of her hand against his cheek was hard enough to rock his head back. "I am not your whore," she hissed. "You do not pay me!"
He said nothing as his hand wrapped around her forearm and lifted it in front of her face. He slipped a forefinger under the bracelet and pulled it taut. Even in the dim candlelight of the room the diamonds sparkled, seemingly with their own fire. She met his eyes briefly and then lowered her gaze.
He dropped her arm and walked to the bedside, bent low to pick up something off the floor. He turned and raised his hand to her, his palm open.
"My insanity is real, Tulia. You can't see what I've seen and do what I've done and not come out a little crazy." He moved his open palm closer to her and she reached out to take what was in his hand.
The silver cufflink with the 'A' monogramed in graceful script glinted in the soft light of the room. Her gaze lifted to his and a tremor of fear washed through her at the look in his eyes. She'd been caught out and realized she needed to be quiet.
"The apartment lease is paid through the end of the year," Carlos said. "You're welcome to remain until that time and entertain anyone you choose." He walked into the living room and pulled a key from his pocket. He laid it on the small table in the entry way and walked through the door for the last time.
Two hours later he unlocked the side entry to the empty building on Haywood and reset the alarm. He made his way up the staircase and pulled out a key fob. He walked slowly into the apartment his mother had spared no expense decorating.
He smiled as he made his way into the kitchen and pulled a beer from the refrigerator. Stephanie Plum handcuffed to the shower curtain rod had been a magnificent sight, and one that was burned into his memory. She'd been dry by the time he'd arrived, and cold. Her hair had been a wild halo of uncontrolled frizz framing her face. Her unapologetic stance as he'd entered the bathroom was something he'd not soon forget.
There had been no false modesty, no school-girlish embarrassment at her situation, just a healthy dose of anger directed toward Joe Morelli. The shower curtain had been ripped from the rod and it, along with the towel, had been crumpled and tossed in a heap on the floor just beyond her reach. She'd said her reasons for going after Morelli were partly personal, and apparently Morelli had some personal feelings of his own. Ranger was placing his money on Stephanie. Morelli's days as a fugitive were numbered.
She'd looked good, naked and chained to the shower curtain rod, and he sent a silent nod of thanks to Morelli for giving him the opportunity to help Stephanie out of the situation. He wondered briefly about replacing Tulia with Stephanie, but he quickly dismissed the idea. She was his student, and there was that thing about teachers and their students, so he nipped that thought in the bud.
She'd called him out on his street persona and he'd been amused by her, rather than angry as he'd been with Tulia when she'd done the same thing. Stephanie had accepted his explanation of being multi-lingual as a reasonable one, and for reasons he couldn't explain it had amused him.
He pushed his musings aside and pulled his phone from his pocket. He punched a number and almost immediately a voice he hadn't heard in over a year growled into his ear.
"This better be important, Ranger. Do you know what time it is here? It's the middle of the frickin' night."
"I know what time it is," Ranger responded. "It's one hour earlier there than it is here, and it's the time."
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds and then Pierre Boudreau answered his friend, "I can be there inside a week. You've really got everything lined up? We're ready to rock and roll?"
"We're ready."
"Find me a place to stay. I'll pack up tomorrow and break the news to my Momma. She won't be happy about me leaving Louisiana for New Jersey, but I'll work it out.
"You can stay with me," Ranger told him. "Eventually there will be apartments in the building and you can have your pick of one of them."
Again there was a short pause. "I'd rather have a small house if you can find me one."
Ranger's laughter came spontaneously. "You're bringing your cats," he said between guffaws.
"Go fuck yourself," came the surly response.
"My friend," Ranger said, "with the day I've had, that is a distinct possibility."
