All the Deadly Lies Read online

  “Who?”

  “You know who.” Louie flipped over a couple of burgers, and then forked some hot dogs onto a plate.

  “Is this another one of Sophia’s setups?” Jake tried to pull off a frown.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You two are like a tag team.” Jake rubbed his chin. This time maybe Sophia had gotten it right.

  “Well, this one isn’t bad. Not bad at all. If I were single…”

  “Well, you’re not, hands off. But you’re right, this one isn’t bad. And she’s got a personality.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned, you’re interested.” Louie grinned.

  “We’ll see. I spent all of five minutes with her.” Though, at the moment, he couldn’t keep his mind or eyes off her. Time would tell. “In fact, I think I’ll go back to the kitchen and see what Sophia wants me to bring out.”

  When Jake stepped back into the kitchen, he noticed the shift in conversation. The kind that meant the speakers were talking about the person who had just entered the room. Good or bad?

  “Am I intruding?”

  “No, we were deciding what dishes should go out first,” Sophia said smoothly.

  Oh, she’s good, he thought. “Need help?”

  “Why don’t the two of you take out the salads?” Sophia pointed.

  “Can do.” Jake saluted her.

  Marisa ran back into the kitchen with her friend. “Uncle Jake, this is my friend, Gigi. I forgot to introduce her before.” Marisa smiled. Gigi lowered her eyes in a shy gesture.

  He held out his hand. “Hi, Gigi, it’s nice to meet you.” He took her hand and shook it.

  “Hi, Mister Carrington.” Gigi blushed.

  “Let’s drop the mister. You can call me Jake.” Gigi’s face lit up.

  “You know she has a crush on you,” Marisa whispered in his ear.

  “There are no secrets here, Marisa. It’s rude to whisper when other people are around,” Sophia scolded.

  “Well, isn’t that the time to whisper? When would you do it, when you’re alone?” Marisa asked.

  Laughing, Jake said, “She’s got you there, Sophia.” He winked at Marisa.

  Gigi stared up at him.

  “Jake, you can be punished right along with Marisa,” Sophia said. “Now take the salads out.”

  Mia grabbed a bowl. Jake handed Gigi and Marisa plates to take out. He picked up a meat platter. “You were great with Gigi, Jake. A girl’s first crush can be devastating if not handled correctly,” Mia said.

  “Yeah, Marisa warned me last week. Can I get you a drink?” Jake asked after they set down the food.

  “Yes, I’ll have a vodka and tonic with lemon.”

  “Okay, I’ll be right back.”

  A party at the Romanellis’ always reminded Jake of a wedding. Incredible food, strong drinks, good music, a professional bartender, and a live band. He threw a couple of dollars into the tip jar and continued his study of the place as he waited for his drinks. Louie’s backyard was set up for entertaining. Chairs and tables were arranged in groups. Off to the side, lounge chairs clustered around the pool that Louie had yet to open this season. Louie never opened it before Memorial Day, no matter what the weather. Outside the gated pool he’d arranged tables, chairs, and lawn games. The older Italians were already playing bocce. A big brick grill, equipped with a refrigerator and a side cabinet, which stored the plastic outdoor dishes, was steaming with meats on all burners.

  “This is some event,” Mia said when he came back with the drinks.

  “Yeah, I can’t wait to see how they top these birthday parties when one of the kids gets married,” Jake joked.

  “Can they top it?”

  “Sophia always says, ‘These are my children and they deserve the best. Plus, I’m Italian. I’m allowed, even expected, to entertain this way.’” Jake mimicked her voice, pleased when he got a laugh out of Mia. “Louie loves these events as much as Sophia does.”

  “It shows. They’re a great couple, aren’t they?”

  “Yep. Besides loving each other, they enjoy each other’s company.” Jake looked at them when he said it. “You know I’m a cop, what do you do?”

  “I’m a psychologist and part-time writer.”

  “Anything I would’ve read of yours?”

  “Not unless you read Cosmo.”

  * * * *

  Sophia joined Louie at the grill. He grabbed her by the waist and gave her a kiss.

  “They look like they’re getting along,” Sophia said to Louie under her breath, trying to go for casual as they glanced over at Jake and Mia.

  “Yeah, we have a winner,” Louie whispered in Sophia’s ear while he nibbled on it.

  “Hey, stop it. You said no whispering, Mom. It’s rude in front of people.” Marisa had snuck up behind them.

  “Why do my words always come back to bite me?” Sophia asked. “This is one of those times, Marisa, when you do as I say, not as I do.”

  “I can’t wait to be old.” Marisa rolled her eyes and walked away.

  “Wow. She got her point across and insulted me, all in one sentence. Our little girl’s growing up, hon.” Sophia changed the subject. “Look at them. They took the table farthest away from everyone. Why don’t we sit with them and see how it’s going?”

  “No, they’re doing fine on their own. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her. Best of all, she’s conversing, not staring or ogling him like he’s some work of art. This one’s smart. She’ll be a keeper,” Louie said, wiggling his brows.

  “A keeper—you consider women prizes?”

  “You’re my prize. The best I’ve ever won. To this day, don’t know how I accomplished it, but thank God you’re blind.” Louie kissed her.

  “Cut it out, we have guests. And, Louie, I’m the biggest winner of all,” Sophia said as she wrapped her arm around his waist.

  * * * *

  Across the yard, Jake turned to see what had caught Mia’s attention. Ah, Sophia and Louie.

  “I want a relationship like theirs when I grow up.”

  “You’re not grown up yet, Jake?” Mia raised an eyebrow.

  “Crap! Oh, sorry. I was just joking,” he said stumbling over his words. “What they have, you can’t practice for. It happens once in a lifetime if you’re lucky.”

  “I’ve seen it happen to a lot of couples but I haven’t been lucky there.”

  “There are a lot of empty shells out there you have to dig through before you find the pearl.”

  “You’re right. What do you like, Jake?” Mia asked as she scooped a spoonful of peppers, sausages and onions into her mouth. Her hum of delight sent his imagination over the edge.

  “I like a lot of things. Are you talking indoors, outdoors, recreation, work, clothes…?”

  “Right, I forgot I’m talking to a cop. I need to be exact.”

  “Can I get you another drink or some food?”

  “No thanks. I like to be in control. If I eat another thing, I’ll burst. How can they both stay so thin with Sophia cooking like this?”

  “It’s always been a mystery to me. Want to dance?”

  She seemed surprised he asked. The dance floor had not another soul on it.

  “Sure,” she said.

  Jake surprised himself by asking. Dancing wasn’t his thing. But he wanted—no, needed—to see how she’d fit in his arms. The band played “The Way You Look Tonight.” He loved Sinatra. Later, he’d have to request the Chris De Burgh song, “Lady in Red.” It said the same thing, ended the same way. And he’d never forget the way Mia looked tonight. He loved the red dress and was glad for the unusually high temperature today when she removed the jacket. No doubt about it, she got his blood boiling. Monopolizing Mia, Jake kept the socialization with the rest of the partiers to a minimum. He lost all s
ense of time as they danced. It shocked him when Sophia cut in to dance with him and Louie waltzed away with Mia.

  He glanced around. Hell. Everyone else has gone home. He checked his watch as he danced with Sophia. Eleven PM was way past his hosts’ bedtime. “Are we keeping you up?”

  “No, what gives? I never got my dance from you tonight! Normally, I have to beg you.” Sophia questioned with a sparkle in her eyes. Jake danced her around the makeshift floor.

  “It was smart not telling me you were trying to fix me up again,” Jake said in her ear.

  “Well, we didn’t want to scare you away. Looks like the two of you are hitting it off?”

  “Time will tell, but, yeah, she’s great. Thanks.” Jake worked his way back to Mia. He exchanged partners with Louie, who had signaled the band to play one last song.

  “Do you guys want help cleaning up?” Mia asked when the song was done.

  “Oh no, you two take off and enjoy yourselves. We got this,” Sophia said.

  Louie mumbled, “Why’d you turn them down? We could use the help. I want to get you upstairs. How about we clean up tomorrow?”

  “No, it won’t take long and this way tomorrow we can stay in bed late—finish what we start tonight.” She gave him the eyes.

  He laughed. “All right. Bye, guys don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Louie said.

  Jake watched Louie start to clean up. “Bye, Louie,” they said in unison.

  Sophia walked them to their cars. “You both drive real careful. I don’t want to hear you got pulled over or anything.”

  “We’ll be fine, Sophia. Thanks for everything. I had a wonderful time,” Mia said and hugged her.

  “Anytime, Mia. Good night, Jake,” Sophia said and kissed Jake on the cheek. She turned around and walked back inside. Jake watched her close the front door.

  “You have a real affection for her, don’t you?”

  “I do. Sophia’s a sister to me in every way but blood,” Jake said.

  Jake helped Mia into her car.

  He cleared his throat. “Would you like to go for a drink?”

  “It’s getting late, Jake, maybe some other time.”

  “Drive carefully. If someone pulls you over, give me a call.” Disappointed, he closed her door then walked to his car.

  Chapter 5

  He heard Mia start her car. Turning back for one last look, he watched her window lower.

  “Jake?”

  “Yes?”

  “I could do one drink. Where would you like to go?”

  “Why don’t you follow me? I live around the corner. We can drop your car off there and take one car.” He was thrilled she’d changed her mind. He wondered if he’d be able to find a place where he wouldn’t know anyone. Tonight, he wanted Mia all to himself.

  “Lead the way.”

  Jake pulled into his driveway on the left. Mia pulled in alongside him on the right. He walked over to her car and opened the door.

  “We’ll take my car, okay?” He stared down into her eyes as he offered a hand to help her out. She hesitated, conflict playing over her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Do you…?”

  Her pale skin turned a deep shade of red when she blushed—he liked it. “What?”

  “Do you want to have the drink here?”

  My lucky day. He hit his key remote, and opened the garage door in lieu of a response. “Do you want to put your car in the garage?”

  “Taking a lot for granted, Jake?” Mia tilted her head up, challenging him.

  “No. It offers protection for you and the car.” He rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

  “Always a cop, huh?”

  “I can’t be anything else. I hope it’s not a problem?”

  “No, it’s not a problem, or I wouldn’t be here.”

  Jake blew out his breath. “Good.”

  At the top of the stairs, between the garage and the living room, Jake reached around Mia to hit the button to lower the outside garage door before closing the connecting door to the house. He’d swear to it, that was his single intention. Instead, he took her in his arms and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him, resting her hands on his lower back. A long, sweet kiss, he took it deeper when she kissed him back, engaging lips, tongue, and teeth as her soft, full lips caressed his mouth, promising more. God, he wanted to swallow her whole. Her sky-blue eyes darkened with passion as he was forced to pull back or he’d take this further than they should go tonight. Because once he started he wasn’t stopping She gripped him by the front of his shirt and pulled him back to her. Mia gave him a mind-numbing, flame-driven kiss filled with promise. His vision blurred. They stood there, lost in time.

  “Why don’t we sit in the living room, get comfortable?” Breaking the embrace, Jake tried for some measure of control. He took her by the hand and led her to the sofa but she didn’t sit.

  “Sounds good,” Mia said.

  “Umm, what will you have to drink?”

  “Do you have vodka or wine?”

  “I have both.” He concentrated hard on her answer because his body continued to respond to her other signals.

  “The wine’s good. Do you have white?”

  “Yes, Pouilly-Fumé?” Jake looked over at her and felt himself stir once again.

  “My favorite,” Mia answered as she wandered around his living room.

  * * * *

  Jake’s house, like the man, surprised her. She walked into a warm, cozy room done in different shades of blues with hints of green, beige, and mauve. The stone fireplace’s imported material was the room’s main focus. Italy, she thought, as her eyes roamed from floor to ceiling, appreciating the craftsmanship. A marble mantel in the same blue and mauve tones broke the otherwise unrelieved stone. The floor, a highly polished hardwood, poked out along the perimeter of the room, the center covered by a beige, oriental area rug with hints of blue, green, and rose. Mia liked that Jake didn’t stint on quality.

  Not your typical bachelor pad—neither masculine, nor feminine—it offered a person comfort. The large picture window was covered with quilted blue and green shades and a mauve valance, bringing the room together, along with the warm beige walls. He had a good decorator, she thought.

  Mia ran her hand over the fabric on the back of the sofa. Silk brocade, she mused. The navy sofa sported green and beige pillows. The fabric he’d chosen for the two chairs and ottoman combined all the colors of the room. A sixty-five-inch HD TV graced the wall, proof that a man did, indeed, live here. Lamps in shades of beige and mauve sat on the marble end tables in the exact color of the hearth. The coffee table had a matching marble top. Mia took the glass of wine Jake handed her as he walked into the room and sat next to her on the couch. He draped an arm around her shoulder. Their two bodies could heat a house in New England for the winter. Mia sipped her wine though it wouldn’t ease her craving.

  “Your living room’s beautiful. Did you have a decorator?”

  “No, I picked out what I liked. If I got stuck, I asked Sophia for help. She argued about my color scheme, telling me it wouldn’t work, but I like it.”

  “I like it too. It’s relaxing.”

  She let Jake take the glass from her hand and place it on the table. When he took her in his arms she let him kiss her. Same reaction, not that she’d expected any different. Heat traveled through her, around her.

  If he kept kissing her this way, she’d forget her own name. Her whole body had come alive with the kiss by the door. At the party—the instant they had made eye contact—he did it for her physically. Now if he could only do it for her mentally. The power of the kiss punched right through her, melting the Antarctic iceberg she’d hidden her emotions behind since her broken engagement. She needed to take control. But she struggled—they were mature adults, her mind reasoned against her body’s passion, what wo
uld be the harm? How far should she go tonight? Would this be a physical relationship? What kind of reaction would she get if she jumped him? Did she want to stop? It had never been a question before. His voice brought her around.

  “Mia, I could lift you up right now and take you to bed. Nothing would make me happier. I understand this is going to sound stupid or like a play but…I want to explore what’s going on with us. We’ve got some kind of connection. It’s intense, maybe a little scary too. What do you think?”

  Speechless, she looked at him. It had to be a play. Did he make the connection with her name, her family? She’d been fighting off men’s advances for years. Some wanted her money. Others wanted the prestige her name and wealth could supply. She did a fast assessment of Jake and liked what she saw. Besides, his jeweled-colored eyes, and chiseled face, and strong muscular frame almost had her begging to get laid, but more, conversation wasn’t forced with him. It’s been way too long. “I should go home. It’s the smart thing to do,” she said, pushing herself off the sofa. “I can’t figure out if your words are smooth or genuine.”

  “Genuine.” He grabbed her right hand and pulled her back down beside him. “You drank a lot today and it’s close to one o’clock. Why don’t you stay in the spare bedroom?” He grinned down at her. “You can trust me. I’m a cop. Besides, you might get snagged in a DUI trap.”

  “I’ll be fine. I spaced out my drinks today. Before I leave you can tell me where the state troopers set up.” Mia wiggled her brow to break the tension.

  “No, I can’t, they don’t inform us of their schedule anymore then we do with ours. Stay. We’ll have breakfast together.” He gave her one of his flirty smiles. “And we’ll spend the day together tomorrow if you don’t have anything else to do.”

  She didn’t think long on it. “All right, as long as you understand it’ll be your fault if I climb into bed with you tonight.” She threw a hand over her mouth. It wasn’t like her to not be in control. Maybe she did have a little too much to drink. “You have me turned around.” Mia pushed her hair behind her ear.

  “Glad to know you’re as undone by me as I am by you. Come on.” He pulled her up and walked her down the hall to the spare room. He opened the door. She stepped inside and looked around.