Lyrissa heard her name through a thick fog. The ominous voice grew louder and louder, coming closer with each passing second. Her heart hammered until her chest hurt. She felt trapped. Fear pressed her down until she couldn’t breathe.
“Lyrissa. Lyrissa, wake up, baby.”
She twisted around then sat up with a cry. Slowly her bedroom came into focus. “No bars,” Lyrissa rasped from her bone-dry throat.
“You’re home safe and sound, cherie. Nothing is going to hurt you here.” Aunt Claire put her plump arms around Lyrissa and rocked her.
Lyrissa hugged her aunt as the pounding in her chest subsided. “What time is it?”
“Ten o’clock in the morning. I’ve got breakfast waiting
for you.” Aunt Claire brushed a strand of damp hair from her forehead.
“I’d better call Mr. Taylor.”
“Shelton already called. He says you can take off all the time you need.”
“He means I’m fired,” Lyrissa muttered.
“Now, baby, he didn’t say you were fired. He meant you needed time off.”
“The last thing he needs is a suspected art thief working for him. I can’t blame him, either.” Lyrissa let go of her aunt. She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes.
“He’ll stand by you, dear. We had a little talk.” Aunt Claire’s sweet tone gave way to one of steel. “I reminded him how we helped him years ago when he first opened that gallery.”
“Thanks, sweetie, but I don’t want him to lose his business because of me.” Lyrissa threw the twisted sheets back and swung her legs over the side of the bed.
Aunt Claire rubbed the small of her back. “We’re going to fight. You can’t hide in your bedroom forever. You’ve been in here for two days already.” She got up and put away piles of clothes.
Ebony came to the bedroom door. “Hey, girl. How are you doing?” She put her briefcase on the vanity.
“I was just telling her to get up,” Aunt Claire said as she tossed clothes in the hamper.
“Sorry. Being booked as a felon and tossed in a cage is a little unsettling.” Lyrissa waved her arms.
“Of course it was awful. But we got you out double quick, babe.” Ebony unbuttoned her blazer and sat down.
Aunt Claire paused in the act of folding a t-shirt “All the evidence is circumstantial. Someone is trying to frame you, no pun intended. They can’t place you at the scene of the crime.”
“You’ve been reading those legal thrillers too much.” Lyrissa gave her a weary smile that faded.
“She’s right. I mean, the painting is stolen and then pops up in your garage? Puh-leeze!” Ebony placed a hand on one hip. “I’ll rip that kind of evidence apart. That’s the good news.”
“Eb, there is no good news.” Lyrissa cradled her head in both hands. “God! What a nightmare.”
“Honey, get dressed. I baked your favorite apple cinnamon muffins, scrambled two eggs, and Ebony brought Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.” Aunt Claire pulled her hands down.
“Yeah, girl. Get out of this room.” Ebony glanced around at the piles of clothes and magazines. “Looks like a bunch of gerbils are nesting in here.”
“Uh-huh, I’ll have to come out for my trial anyway,” Lyrissa retorted.
“Don’t frown like that. You’ll leave lines on your face. Now, take a nice warm shower and put these on.” Aunt Claire neatly draped a pair of blue jeans and a blue t- shirt with tiny white flowers over the stuffed chair next to her bed.
“Yeah, yeah.” Lyrissa didn’t move.
“Okay, the St. Denis gang set you up, but the good news is—”
“Wonderful, more good news,” Lyrissa muttered.
“Listen, our case must be damn strong. Why else would someone go to all this trouble?” Ebony leaned forward as she spoke.
“Sure.”
Lyrissa had lost interest in the painting. She’d thought of little else except that Noel hadn’t called. His silence meant he either believed she was guilty, or he knew his family had indeed set her up. Noel St. Denis, cut from the same cloth as his family. Mama Grace had warned her. Was she right?
“This whiny crybaby isn’t the Lyrissa I know.” Ebony slapped the bed hard. “Hey, I’m talking to you.”
“I’d go fix you both a cup of coffee. Make her come out of this room, Ebony.” Aunt Claire patted Ebony’s shoulder, then left.
“We’d be there in fifteen minutes.” Ebony stood. “You heard her. Move!” She pointed to Lyrissa’s bathroom.
“Geez, who appointed you queen of the world?” she muttered irritably. She went in and turned on the shower.
“So you haven’t heard from him, I guess. That explains that pitiful ‘I-got-the-low-down-blues’ look on your face.”
“I can’t hear you,” Lyrissa lied. She took off her gown and stepped into the shower.
Warm pelts from the shower massage beat against her neck, shoulders, and back. Lyrissa covered herself in bath foam, then stood under the shower and rinsed off. She stepped out and dried off with a fluffy pink bath towel. She found clean panties and a bra on the bathroom counter.
“Thanks,” she called out as she put them on. Ebony had made up her bed by the time she padded back into her room.
“You’re welcome. Listen, word on the street is, Noel’s got his hands full. I hear there’s a real family fight going on. That could be why he hasn’t called.”
“Must be Carlton. His cousin thinks he should be CEO. Still no excuse.” Lyrissa pulled the shirt over her head. She went to the mirror and brushed her hair.
“According to reliable sources, things are pretty nasty. By the way, that witch Julie Duval is having a field day.” Ebony raised an eyebrow at her.
Lyrissa whirled around. “What do you mean?”
“She’s suddenly become the company spokeswoman. She all but said you’re guilty in one news interview.” “Humph! I’m sure she’s climbing all over Noel.” Lyrissa tossed her hairbrush across the room.
“Whoa!” Ebony’s eyes stretched wide.
“What else did that skeezer say?” Lyrissa crossed her arms.
“It’s more what she doesn't say. She implies a lot with-out coming out and saying what she means.” Ebony pursed her lips for a moment. “Kinda like a lawyer.”
“I’ll bet.” Lyrissa’s eyes narrowed to slits. “So that’s how it is, huh? Well, I’m not going down easy, you witch!”
Ebony grinned. “All right, girl. Let’s rock ’em until they can’t see straight.”
“We’ll talk about it over breakfast. I’m suddenly very hungry.” She marched out ahead of her.
“You might want to put on your pants and some shoes.” Ebony laughed. “Just a suggestion. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
They exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter. Lyrissa got dressed and went to the kitchen. Mama Grace sat at the table alone. She didn’t look up when Lyrissa walked in.
“Where is everybody?” Lyrissa went to the coffee pot and poured herself a cup.
“Ebony is on the phone. Claire’s in the laundry room,” Mama Grace replied.
“Oh.” She considered leaving. She stood at the kitchen counter.
“Sit down. We have to talk.”
Lyrissa heaved a sigh and obeyed. “Go on and say it. I wouldn’t be in this fix if I’d listened to you. Noel hasn’t called. The whole thing is a setup. I—”
“I can speak for myself” Mama Grace broke in.
“Yes, ma’am, you sure can.”
“I did tell you that those people are ruthless. And yes, you let your heart rule when your brains should have taken over.”
“I know.” Lyrissa drank a gulp of the smooth dark liquid to bolster herself.
“But... I pushed you into getting involved. I called that reporter. All those stories forced them to do something desperate. You were right. I should have let you handle things your way.” Mama Grace sniffed. “I’m the reason they’re after you.”
Mama Grace pressed her lips together. Deep lines criss-crossed her face. Her shoulders slumped, making her look shrunken. Lyrissa put down her coffee mug and placed an arm around her shoulders.
“It’s not your fault,” she said gently.
“Yes, it is. I should have known they’d try to destroy you the way they destroyed your great-great-grandfather.” A tear slid down her cheek.
“You’ve been beating yourself up for way too long. None of what happened now or fifty years ago is your fault.” Lyrissa pressed her cheek against Mama Grace’s face.
“We lost our house, the business, everything. All because I wouldn’t listen to anyone. I had to have my way.” Mama Grace covered her face with her hands.
Lyrissa tugged her grandmother’s hand down. “Let it go. You were young and in love. The St. Denis family did what they do best, steamroll over people.”
Aunt Claire joined them. “She’s right, Grace. You’ve been carrying around guilt and bitterness for too long. Let it go.”
Mama Grace smiled sadly. “I’m too old and stubborn to change. Bitterness is the only thing that kept me going for the past twenty years. That, and caring for you.” She touched Lyrissa’s face.
“Papa, Mama and the rest would want us to be happy no matter what. We put too much value on one object. That painting isn’t worth all this suffering,” Aunt Claire said fiercely.
“I’m so scared for you, baby.” Mama Grace wiped her eyes. “The important thing now is to clear your name.” “And keep her out of the slammer!” Aunt Claire slapped a fist into her palm.
“You should stop reading those hard-boiled detective novels, too,” Lyrissa said with a laugh.
Ebony came in at that moment. “I put some well-oiled legal wheels in motion.”
“Good.” Mama Grace nodded with approval. She rose slowly. “I know you girls will do the right thing.”
Mama Grace moved stiffly, as though each step was an effort. Aunt Claire held her arm as they left together. Lyrissa watched them leave with a worried frown.
“I’ve never seen Mama Grace look so worn out, Ebony. She tried to be strong, but this ordeal has taken a toll on her. If they find out about my father’s drug problem and that he overdosed..Lyrissa shook her head. She couldn’t bear to think of what such a public airing would do to the proud old woman.
“Yeah.” Ebony dropped into a chair.
“I’m going to see Noel.”
Ebony’s long braids bounced as she shook her head hard. “No way. Bad idea. Don’t do it.”
“Mama Grace can’t take much more.” Lyrissa looked at her friend.
“You’re going to settle? Mrs. St. Denis won’t accept anything less than complete surrender,” Ebony warned.
“Which is why I should talk to Noel first. He still has some influence with her.”
“I don’t know. Things are shaky with him these days. He could even be tossed out of the family business.” Ebony cleared her throat. “Uh, remember I told you about my reliable source?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I didn’t tell you the whole story. Seems the family is pissed about you and Noel. They blame him for the bad publicity. Investors are backing off. All because he got involved with the wrong sort of woman.” Ebony sucked in a deep breath.
“I’m not surprised.” Lyrissa clenched her teeth.
“Noel might be willing to do anything to save his position with the company and his family.” Ebony put a hand on her arm. “I hate to say it, but he’s got a lot to lose. Social position, a major company...” Ebony’s voice faded.
Lyrissa’s throat tightened. Ebony had put Lyrissa’s thoughts into words. He hasn’t called. Noel could have decided to cut his losses.
“Okay, so maybe you’re right. I’m still going. The bottom line is, Sunday Stroll on the Faubourg Tremé’ belongs to us. Old Jules was a bum. But Gustave St. Denis exploited his weaknesses to snatch that painting.”
“At least let me coach you on what to say. Don’t agree to anything definite. Talk in ‘maybes’ and ‘ifs’ only. Let me deal with his attorneys to hammer out the details.”
Lyrissa nodded as Ebony talked. She only half listened to her friend’s instructions. An image of Noel, naked and brown lying next to her, filled her head.
Lyrissa strode into the offices of Tremé£ Corporation with her head up. Three of Noel’s employees did a double take when they recognized her. A woman whispered, “Shouldn’t we call someone?” Lyrissa kept walking. Eddie’s mouth dropped open when she looked up and saw her. “Hi, Eddie. I’m here to see your boss.”
“Oh, boy.” Eddie’s mouth worked.
“I know he’s here,” Lyrissa repeated with a nod to his door.
“I, he ...” Eddie blinked rapidly, a look of confusion on her face.
Julie raced down the opposite hallway. “Security will be here shortly to throw her out!” Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. “I can’t wait.”
Lyrissa ignored her. “He’ll see me. Just let him know I’m here,” she said to Eddie.
Julie walked up to her. “Noel will watch them toss you out on your ass and enjoy it. I’d advise you to leave voluntarily.”
“I’d advise you to get out of my face,” Lyrissa said in a deadly calm tone.
Eddie stepped between them. “Everybody just cool down,” she said loudly
Noel opened the door to his office. “What the hell is going on out here?” He stopped short when he saw Lyrissa. “Come in,” he said to her.
Julie glared at him. “You can’t be serious! The board will find out about this, Noel.”
“In that case make sure you don’t leave anything out,” Noel snapped. He glanced at Lyrissa. “If you came here to stir things up, you’ve succeeded. Was that your only goal?”
Lyrissa strode into his office without answering. Noel closed the door and leaned against it. They stared at each other in silence.
“How are you?” he said finally.
“Take a guess.”
Noel nodded and crossed to her. “So far, they’re only going to charge you with receiving stolen goods.”
“Ironic, isn’t it, since the painting really belongs to us?” He studied her expression. “We can settle the question of who owns the painting through our lawyers.”
“If that’s the way it has to be,” she replied.
“I think it’s the best way. Present your documentation and we’ll go from there. My grandmother won’t be satisfied otherwise.”
“Right. You can’t make your grandmother unhappy. Let her call the shots. Or is this really your decision?” Lyrissa gazed at him steadily.
“Mine. Besides, neither of our families will settle. A judge’s decision should finally put an end to the whole affair.” Noel’s gaze traveled down her body and back to her eyes.
Lyrissa tingled as though he’d put his hands on her. “Yes, it will.”
Noel rubbed a hand over his face. She noticed how drained he looked. He rolled his shoulders to relieve tension.
“Not soon enough,” he said in a weary voice.
“I hear you’ve had a rough time in the last few days. At least you weren’t hauled off to jail.” She folded her arms to restrain the urge to hold him.
“Sit down, have some coffee.” Noel sighed when she didn’t move. “Please?”
Lyrissa sat in a chair that faced his desk. Noel poured two cups of coffee from the carafe on his desk. He handed one to her. She stared into the steaming liquid.
“I’ve had too much of this stuff lately. I should be drinking fruit juice,” Lyrissa said with a grimace.
Noel punched the speaker button on his phone. “Eddie, would you mind bringing us two bottles of apple juice from the machine?”
“No problem,” Eddie said promptly.
He took the cups and set them on the credenza. “Good idea. We’re both on edge as it is.”
“I—” Lyrissa broke off when Eddie knocked.
She came in with two half-pint bottles and two glasses on a tray. “Here you go. Uh, boss, Julie is demanding to see you right now.”
“You know what to tell her,” he said evenly.
“Oh, yeah.” Eddie grinned and left.
“I’m not sure why I came to tell you the truth. I could have let Ebony call your attorney.” Lyrissa bit her lower lip. “We sure can’t solve anything.”
“I’m sorry you were treated like a criminal,” Noel said.
“You couldn’t have been too worried.” Lyrissa stared down at the floor.
“I called, but your grandmother suggested I give you time. I waited to hear from you. Then I thought maybe...” Noel raked his Angers through his hair. “Maybe you decided to bail out on me.”
“Me, bail out on you?”
Noel sat across from her. “You wouldn’t have been stupid enough to hide the painting at your house. Any chance your grandmother—”
“Hell, no!” Lyrissa shouted.
“Okay, okay. I’m just saying. Emotions are running kind of high. I know how intense she is about that painting.” Lyrissa huffed for several moments. Then she shrugged. “To tell you the truth, the thought did cross my mind. Briefly ,” she added with force.
“I didn’t say anything.” Noel held up his hands palms out.
“Yeah, well. I dismissed the idea because my grand-mother wouldn’t be that stupid either. Besides, she wanted to humiliate your family publicly as much as she wanted the painting. She’s been spoiling for this fight for years.”
“I have to say, some of those stories about my ancestors are pretty embarrassing. My grandmother has been hiding out for weeks.” Noel rubbed his jaw.
“What about my ancestor? I was told he died young, a broken man, because his art had been stolen and his family left destitute.” Lyrissa snorted in disgust. “Between bouts of drinking and marathon sex orgies, I’m surprised he didn’t drop dead sooner!”
Noel laughed. “He wasn’t that bad. My skeletons beat yours by sheer numbers.”
“I don’t know. If we give your grandmother and Julie more time, I’m sure they’ll dig up more.” Lyrissa smiled at him. “Why are we laughing? There’s nothing funny in all this.”
“Sure there is. Both our families are trying to preserve their good names. The problem is, our dirty laundry keeps tumbling out in public.” He smiled back at her.
Lyrissa’s expression became serious again. “Noel, let’s have the lawyers handle it quietly. We have to stop these nasty stories from being published.”
“The press is like a pack of wild dogs. You can’t stop them once they’re let loose. They’re selling papers and magazines like crazy.”
“Yes, but the whole thing will eventually die down if our grandmothers stop feeding them.” Lyrissa sat forward.
“You just said your grandmother has been waiting to let us have it for years. She’s having too much fun to stop.” Noel lifted a shoulder.
Lyrissa shook her head. “No, she’s not. Mama Grace didn’t count on just how ugly things would get.”
He rubbed his face harder. “My problem is more complicated.”
“Your cousin and the board,” Lyrissa said.
He exhaled. “I’ve spent the last twenty-four hours doing damage control. Carlton wants my ass roasted and served on a silver platter. Julie is in on it I’m sure.”
“Julie? It’s a thin line, huh?”
“Obviously.” Noel scowled.
“You’ve got more to worry about than me, mister. Julie wants your ass, too. Don’t doubt it.” Lyrissa pointed a finger at his chest.
“Carlton doesn’t need much help being vindictive.
She’s probably just giving him a shoulder to cry.” Noel waved a hand.
“The woman has been planning your wedding since she was in kindergarten. She’s obsessed. I’ll bet she’s helping him a lot.”
“Julie has known for a long time we weren’t going to be a couple.” Noel shook his head.
“She’s probably still hoping you’ll change your mind.”
“I won’t. I don’t really give a damn about that painting, Lyrissa.” He pulled her from her seat and into his arms.
“Hey! You’re in enough trouble, Mr. St. Denis. If they walk in and catch you smooching with the enemy—”
Noel kissed her before she could say more. Lyrissa didn’t try to escape, despite her words. Surprise and desire made her skin sizzle. She moaned when his wide hands slid down her body to her hips. He pressed his pelvis against hers. They both sighed when the kiss ended.
“I was in trouble the first day I saw you,” he whispered.
“We’ll have to fight one battle after another. You'll have to fight most of them.” Lyrissa clung to him.
“I don’t mind at all. Are you sure you want all the hassle?” Noel kissed her nose, then her eyelids.
“I’m sure that being with you is worth anything any-body can throw at me,” she said.
“That’s all I need to hear.”
Noel kissed her long and hard. He guided her to the leather sofa and eased her down onto it. His hand lifted her skirt. Lyrissa panted when he trailed his fingertips along the inside of her thigh.
“Cut it out,” she murmured and squirmed to allow his hand to go higher.
“Uh-uh, feds too good,” he replied softly.
Lyrissa planted her palms on his chest and pushed him away. “We’ve got work to do, hot pants.”
Noel smiled at her. “You’ve got that right.” He tried to kiss her again.
Lyrissa slid from his grasp. “You know what I mean.” “Okay, okay. Rain check.”
“Agreed.” Lyrissa gave him one last kiss on the cheek. “Now, where do we go from here?”
He straightened his tie as he sat back. “Someone is trying to play both of us. I say we find ’em and kick ass.”
“Don’t get mad, but my money is on your family. Staging the fire and the burglary would keep me busy. Our claim would be discredited and you—”
“Hey!” he protested.
“Your family would keep the painting. Sending me to jail would be icing on the cake.” Lyrissa gazed at him with her head to one side. “Well?”
“My grandmother has her faults, but she doesn’t do lunch with felons. I don’t see anyone in my family planning such a thing. Not even Carlton. He’s devious, but not smart enough.” Noel shrugged.
“You have been reading the papers, right?” Lyrissa quipped.
He winced. “Ouch! But that was history—ancient history, at that. I’m talking about now. I know these people, baby.”
“So Sunday Stroll on the Faubourg Tremé walked to my house and into my garage? Please!” Lyrissa rolled her eyes.
“Good point. Someone is responsible. Guess we’d better get to work on the who and why.” Noel put a hand on her knee.
“ ‘We,’ I like the sound of that word,” she murmured. “Me and you, you and I, us,” Noel leaned close and whispered in her ear. “I love you.”
“I love you back,” she whispered. Lyrissa lifted his hand and placed it on his knee. “But if you don’t stop we’ll never make it off this sofa.”
“A brother has to try.” He grinned at her.
“We’ll make up for lost time later. Now, where do we start in this quest for truth and justice?”
He thought for a minute. “I say we keep our alliance a secret.”
“What?”
“I want to stir the gumbo pot until it boils over. If whoever is behind this whole thing thinks they’ve succeeded...” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“You mean lie and set a trap?” Lyrissa smiled. “You sneaky devil. In the blood, huh?”
Noel laughed again. “Using my powers for good this time. Let’s do it.”
He nodded toward the door. Lyrissa nodded back. She retrieved her purse and followed him. Noel jerked the door open.
“I don’t think there’s anything left to say, Lyrissa. Our painting didn’t just walk to your house!” he said loudly. “Did you really think that act would work?”
“How dare you call me a thief, after what your family has done? I should have known you’d stick up for them. You chump!” Lyrissa shouted.
“Goodbye and get out,” Noel growled.
Lyrissa slammed the door in his face. “Cold-blooded snake.”
Eddie gasped. “Lyrissa, I thought—”
“Forget it, Eddie. To hell with him—and all of ’em.” Lyrissa waved a hand and stormed off toward the elevators.
Julie appeared out of nowhere wearing a malicious smile. “Guess the thrill is gone, Miss Thang!”
“Kiss my ass,” Lyrissa hissed at her. She smiled when the elevator doors whisked shut and she was alone. “Perfect timing, Miss Thang”