Ericka had been in the house for over a week, and she hadn’t been alone one time, so she’d been unable to search for anything. She’d come close to overhearing conversations, but then the speakers would walk away.
One thing she knew for sure, the soldiers and associates were worried about their future with Tony missing. No one was saying it out loud, but there was a vibe in the air.
Ericka grabbed her crochet needle and yarn from her room and carried it to the living area. She wasn’t very good at crochet. She could do a single stitch and a double stitch and make a plain or ripple afghan, but not much else. The ripple was beautiful, but she often got tired of counting and would mess up the pattern. This time she’d opted for just a normal straight afghan. She hoped to give it away to someone when she was finished, but she didn’t know who. Without friends or family, she had limited options. Maybe a hospital…
She had just entered the room, taken a seat, and begun to crochet when Joey entered.
“Um, what are you doing?”
She lifted her project. “Working on a blanket.”
“Ah.” He paced back and forth. Then he sat down. “I guess you heard.”
“Heard what?” She’d heard bits and pieces of many things, but not what she needed to overhear.
“Mamma is planning a party.”
Ericka laid her project aside. “She’s not ready for a party.”
“Juanita will plan most of the details. Mamma will walk in wearing a black dress, flash her elegance, then find a place to sit and hold court.”
She cocked her brow.
“She’ll let people come to her.”
“I understood what you meant. I guess I’m just wondering why she would want to do that. She’s barely well.”
“I think she is just tired of thinking about how ill she was—or is.”
It did seem rather odd to have a party when her husband was still missing, but maybe Mary hoped to get information on Tony’s whereabouts. Maybe Ericka would luck up and do the same.
“I understand needing a little joy and some positive energy. Maybe it’ll be okay if Juanita helps and your mother doesn’t overdo.”
“Do you have a dress?”
“What? Me?”
“Of course, you. You are her nurse. You have to be there.”
“Of course I do.” Because she was the nurse.
The more she thought about it, the better the party sounded. It would be a treasure trove of people talking business. It would also provide a distraction so she might be able to search the office for information on Big Tony’s exact meeting place and reason.
“If you need help with a dress…”
He was offering to help. This was danger with a capital D.
She smiled sweetly. “I would appreciate that.”
He clapped. “We’ll go out to lunch, then we’ll go look afterward.”
“Today? But what about your mother?”
“My sister is visiting from Spokane.”
“You have a sister?” Ericka was genuinely shocked. There had been no history listed about a sister.
“She’s my half-sister. My mamma had her as a teen and was forced to give her up. As soon as Mamma was able, she found her. It’s a long story with a happy ending.
“Anyway, she’ll be here with her so we’re free to go out for the day.”
“Sounds like fun.” Sounded like another day lost when she could be looking for clues. Hopefully with a fruitful ending. That would be how she would sell it to Greg anyway.
She smiled. It was all she knew to do.
“Go grab your purse. I’ll have Mickey bring the car around.”
He stood and left.
She pulled out her phone and texted Greg. She’d avoided the action for the most part, but this he needed to share.
Going dress shopping! Please tell me you know something so I can get out of here soon. You know how much I love dress shopping, not!
She’d started walking toward her room while she texted. Then she hit something. She put her hand out and immediately lowered her phone hand to her side.
She was face to chest with Frankie Demarco. He was shirtless and wet. Water droplets weaved through his chest hair like balls in a pinball machine. His pecs were well defined under her trembling hand.
She swallowed.
“I work out.”
She hadn’t moved her hand!
“Want to feel anything else?”
Heat bloomed across her face, and she quickly removed her hand and shoved it behind her back.
“I-I’m sorry.”
She lowered her head and moved around him as fast as her legs would carry her. In her room, she leaned back against the door and sucked in several deep breaths of air. She’d have to be dead to not find him attractive, but this was not a good idea.
Definitely, not a good idea.
She needed to hurry before Joey noticed her absence.
Oh, Joey!
She fell face first on the bed and buried her head in her arms. What was she doing?
She’d been around men before. Lots of them. She’d been in the military.
There had been shy men, flirty men, married men, unmarried men, bulky men, skinny men, name it and there was a type. She’d found more than one attractive, but this was completely different. If she had time she should call Dr. Ellen, maybe she could help. Maybe instead of losing the hour with the good doc, she needed to add one.
A knock on the door had her jolting upright. “Yes?” Her heart hammered in her chest. If Frankie had followed her or Joey had come in because he was impatient…
“It’s Mary, dear.”
Ericka sighed with relief. She stood, straightened her clothing, grabbed her purse, and placed a smile on her face. She hoped it looked natural.
She opened the door. Mary was in her wheelchair. She wore a pink cardigan over a cream colored blouse. Her slacks were a tan color. Mary exuded charm and grace.
Color had returned to her cheeks, and she seemed healthier.
“Joey told me he was taking you to Bianca’s shop. If you don’t see anything you like tell him to take you to Angela’s.”
“Okay.”
“Bianca has a crush on him. She throws herself and other things at him.” Mary patted her hand. “You look flushed. Are you feeling well?”
Ericka would have groaned aloud if doing so wouldn’t have given her away.
“I think I just got hot running upstairs so quickly.” And running away from Frankie.
“Oh, excited to get out. I don’t blame you.” Mary laughed. “Have fun, and don’t worry about me. Sofia will be with me all day.”
“Thank you, Mary. I’m glad you get to spend time with your daughter.” She leaned down and grabbed Mary’s hand. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Now you go and have fun.”
Mary rolled toward the end of the hall and the elevator. Ericka grabbed her purse and sweater and left her room and headed downstairs. Frankie was in the foyer, this time with a shirt on. Water had slicked back his hair. He was looking through letters that lay on a small half table in the foyer. When she passed, he looked up, smiled, and winked. Her heart fluttered faster. She increased her gait and he chuckled. So, he knew he had affected her, that was just great. Maybe he wouldn’t tell Joey.
Outside, Joey leaned against a red Ferrari.
She expected him to complain about her taking so long, but he just walked around the hood of the car and opened her door. She slid down inside the soft leather, letting it cradle her body like a glove.
He climbed behind the wheel. “I thought we’d go to Giorgio’s for lunch then to Angela’s to shop.”
“Okay.” She watched buildings flash by to avoid Joey. If he saw her face, he would know that Frankie had flirted with her, and she’d enjoyed it.
And the idea that they weren’t going to Bianca’s meant that he knew that wasn’t the best idea. Was he trying to impress her as well?
They pulled up to a building and a valet opened her door. She should have changed her clothes. The knee length flowery sundress and white sweater seemed like it would be out of place in the fancy establishment.
Joey appeared at her side.
“I feel underdressed.”
He stepped back. He stared at her toes and eased his gaze up to her eyes. “You look beautiful.” He moved a stray hair behind her ear. His fingertip barely brushed against her cheek. A warm feeling spread across her middle.
“Th-thank you. We, um, better get inside.” She’d better learn to control her body better or it would betray her and her mission would be over.
Yeah, that was the most important thing the mission. She needed to keep reminding herself of that. Find Tony, secure his help. Her developing feelings for Joey were irrelevant.
She could do this.
****
Ericka seemed jumpy as she exited the car and waited for him before entering the restaurant. Joey placed his hand at her low back to guide her. Inside, they followed the hostess to their table. They were given a half-circle booth. She scooted in and he followed, sitting as close to her as he could get without touching her.
“Joey! I thought that was you.”
“Giorgio, how have you been?”
“Well, very well.”
Giorgio leaned forward, his voice lowered. “I heard about Tony, very sad.”
Ericka tensed.
“Whatever you’ve heard is incorrect. Big Tony is fine.”
Giorgio shrugged. “Glad I was wrong.” He paused. “How’s your mother?”
“Planning a party.”
Giorgio laughed. “Sounds like Mary.” He paused. “Oh, I’m ranting on. What can I get you and your lovely lady.”
Joey looked at Ericka. “Want to try the house special?”
“I’ll go with your suggestions.”
She sounded stiff and odd. He wanted her to be relaxed, to have fun. He wanted to show her he was a regular guy. That he wasn’t part of a crime family. That they could be an item, if she wanted it.
He ordered the food and Giorgio left them alone, the awkwardness setting in again.
“Isn’t Tony you’re father?”
So, she was going to bring it up on her own. Maybe that was for the best.
“He is.”
“Is he okay? I haven’t seen him around, not once since your mother’s stroke. When we were at the cabin she broke down and said she missed him.”
Joey flinched. Mamma and Papa were very close. He’d never seen a couple more in love. It hurt him to know that Mamma was hurting, however, there was nothing he could do to ease her pain. They had tried to reach out and find their father with no success. Frankie had told him to leave it be, he was working on it. As far as Joey could tell, his brother wasn’t doing anything.
Despite the fact that this conversation didn’t seem right to have with Ericka, he had to tell her something.
“My father went away on a business trip. He just hasn’t come back yet.”
“Oh, what kind of business? In fact, I’ve never asked you what your family does to live in such a nice house. I mean, one day I hope to live in a place just as fancy.” She covered her mouth. “Did I say that out loud?”
He was a little surprised by her sudden change in attitude, but also happy. Depressed and sullen wasn’t a good look on her. He preferred her jolly and curious.
Truthfully, if she stuck with him, she might be living in a house just like his one day. But then again if she found out what his family had been doing as a business for over a hundred years, then she might change her mind and run.
He needed to play this close to the vest—truth, but not too much.
“My family owns a few casinos.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Casinos are so interesting with all the flashing lights and the colors. Of course, it’s more interesting when you win.” She laughed as she rolled her napkin up into a messy ball and laid it beside her plate.
“I could take you sometime if you like.”
“Maybe.”
A waitress came by and left their drinks. He waited only a moment after she left before jumping in with another topic. “So, what do you do for fun when you’re not nursing the sick back to health?”
She bit her lower lip. It was a cute, yet attractive action, which drew his eyes to her face. “Oh, I like to read.”
“Read, interesting. Anything else?” Surely there was something else. She seemed like an exciting person. She’d wielded a gun like a professional at the hospital, but she had been in the military, he shouldn’t forget that.
“Crochet. I also stay pretty busy with my freelance work.”
“What about sailing, do you like to sail?”
“Never been.” She took a sip from her drink.
“I have a sailboat called the Santa Maria, yes, yes, I know.”
She chuckled.
“I was young when it was purchased, and we had just learned about Columbus in school. I didn’t change it because it was a good memory. Moving along. I have a sailboat. Would you like to go sailing sometime?”
The smile reached her eyes. “I would like that.”
He should ask her about her military service. Maybe there was something there that would give him an idea of what she liked. There had to be something more than reading and crocheting, right?