"I'm not. That's not the point."

"I killed him because it was only a matter of time before he sent someone else after Heather, probably even before we got her out of France and relocated."

Pierce sighed. "You don't know what you've started."

"I refuse to defend myself for killing that sorry excuse for a human."

"d.a.m.n it, Jaclyn. I don't give a d.a.m.n about him," Pierce said.

"It's you I'm worried about."

"I think my conscience can live with it," Jack replied sarcastically.

"But his sister can't. She's known as TQ-aka 'the Broker'- and, as it turns out, is one of the most dangerously influential people on the planet. She has links to everyone who's anyone, and then some. The feds have been trying to find her for years."

"I gave them her other half," she said.

"He was a halfwit they didn't care about and kept alive in the hopes of getting to her. The feds aren't thrilled about his demise."

"You're upset because I threw in a wrench for the feds? They owe us...you, for every d.a.m.n job we've done for them so they can get the credit."

"It's you I'm concerned about," Pierce repeated, louder. "TQ will not rest until she avenges her brother."

"Then let her."

"Don't be stupid," Pierce shouted. "You have no idea what she's capable of."

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," she shouted back.

"But aside from that, my life isn't your problem, as you've already proved. So take your concern and stick it." She hung up.

"That went well," Chase said.

"Jerk thinks he can start to care just because he feels like it today."

"He's right, you know." Chase put a hand on her shoulder. "The b.i.t.c.h will come after you."

* 370 *

"She won't find me."

"It sounds to me like she can do pretty much anything."

"So can I. I've learned from the best and worked for the worst.

Let her bring it."

Chase squeezed her shoulder. "Let me know if...she starts making problems. I'll be there."

"Thanks." She smiled and looked from Chase to Heather.

"When do you two leave for home?"

"In a few hours," Chase said.

"Take care of her, she's your Emily." Jack winked.

"How about you?"

"I'm going to the hospital. Ca.s.s and I will fly back as soon as she's stable. Could be a week or so." She crossed the room to get her bag.

"Will I see you when you get back?" Chase asked, her tone hopeful but uncertain.

She walked over and embraced her, and Chase hugged her back. "Yeah. You will."

One week later Ma.r.s.eille, France Outside the hospital entrance, Jack opened the door for Ca.s.s to get into the rental car. She was thrilled Ca.s.s was almost back to her old self, and excited about her surprise. She hoped Ca.s.s would feel the same.

"Can you tell me now?" Ca.s.s asked impatiently. "You've been talking about this surprise for the past week."

"I'll tell you when we get there." She smiled as she got behind the wheel. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this happy.

The sun was shining, they were in France, she had the world's most beautiful woman by her side, and she felt more in love than ever.

She kissed Ca.s.s almost shyly on the cheek. It had been so long since * 371 *

she'd kissed her she wanted to swallow her whole, but Ca.s.s was still recovering and she didn't want to appear insensitive.

Ca.s.s turned to her. "Jack?"

"Yeah?" she said as she put the key in the ignition. When Ca.s.s didn't immediately respond, she looked over at her, concerned.

"You okay?"

Ca.s.s grabbed her face with both hands and pulled Jack to her.

They kissed so fiercely and so long, blinded by their emotions and lost time, they didn't realize a crowd was gathering outside the car.

Someone yelled something in French and both of them laughed.

"We need to get a hotel soon," Ca.s.s said.

"Trust me, we will, because I'm about to pop in my pants." They drove for nearly two hours, pa.s.sing through farmland and vineyards and small towns. Jack steered and shifted with one hand, so she didn't have to let go of Ca.s.s's. Ca.s.s looked out the window, seeming absorbed in the scenery and her thoughts.

"It gets better." Jack squeezed her hand. "Someday, you'll give what happened a place."

"I know," Ca.s.s said, still looking out the pa.s.senger window.

"How long did it take for you to deal after Israel?"

"Let's see." She pretended to think. "When exactly did we meet?"

Ca.s.s smiled. "Shouldn't take me long, then."

"I'm here for you, baby."

They reached the outskirts of a quaint but crowded village on the coast. Sailboats and yachts and other pleasure craft dotted the harbor.

"This is a beautiful little village," Ca.s.s said. "Where are we?"

"In Sainte-Maxime."

"Can we stay here tonight?"

"You bet."

Ca.s.s perked up, excited. "What a wonderful surprise."

"The surprise is yet to be revealed," she replied as she turned onto a narrow side street.

"You're killing me, Jack."

* 372 *

She pulled up to the curb outside Celeste's small house. "We're here.""How quaint. Is this where we're staying?"

"No. Come on, I want you to meet someone." She got out and ran to the other side to open the door for her.

They walked to the door hand in hand and Jack knocked.

Celeste opened the door and smiled. "Right on time for lunch.

h.e.l.lo." She extended her hand to Ca.s.s. "I'm Celeste." Ca.s.s shook hands. "Hi, I'm Ca.s.s." She looked from Jack, to Celeste, and back again. "My G.o.d. You two-"

"Ca.s.s, this is my mother." Jack put her arm around Ca.s.s's shoulder. "Celeste, this is who I love more than myself."

* 373 *

* 374 *

ePilogue.

Boston Two months later Landis never imagined herself living in a house with a white picket fence and friendly neighbors, but here she was, and loving every minute of it. She'd sold her bachelor loft in the city and moved into the suburban four-bedroom only a week ago, but the split-level fit like a Glock, and she felt like she'd been here all her life.

No one who knew her well would believe the change. Her monotone, minimalistic and spotless environment had been replaced by warm, earthy colors, occasional clutter, and sentimental decor- framed photographs, mostly. Most significant, there were no clocks, aside from the one on her wrist, which she wore only when she was out. She was in her study working on her next novel when the news came on, so she took a break to watch. The whole world was abuzz about the election of the first American woman president, and Landis had to admit she was quite psyched. Today was the day they intended to verify the result of two months of recounts that the guy who finished second had demanded.

Once she learned they would indeed have a female in the oval office, she switched off the TV and stopped at the display case with her collection. She smiled as she delicately ran her finger over the rare 1972 "Make a Face" PEZ dispenser Heather had gifted her, then * 375 *

returned to Landor. She was so absorbed in her work she jumped when she heard the main entry door shut.

A few seconds later, she felt hands run from her shoulders to her chest, hugging her tight. She spun in her chair and pulled Heather onto her lap. "I missed you." She kissed Heather meaningfully.

"Have you been drawing since I left this morning?"

"More or less. I have a deadline, beautiful." Landis kissed her neck. "How was your day?"

"You mean aside from the pandemonium because of the first woman president?" Heather smiled. "How cool is that?"

"Not as cool as having you come home to me. So how was it at work?"

"It was great." Heather beamed. "This design house is so progressive, and they're really interested in my ideas. I can't believe it." "I can. You're very talented."

Heather was wearing a V-neck sweater that displayed her enticing cleavage. Landis kissed the spot between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

Heather caressed her neck and bent to kiss her. "I still can't believe we're...here," she said when they came up for air. "This isn't what I had in mind when you mentioned relocation."

"If you're not happy with the arrangement..." Heather laughed. "I've never been more happy."

"Neither have I."

They both turned when someone knocked on the door.

"Is it safe?" Adam stood in the open doorway in his robe. "I can come back later if it's a bad time."

"The answer will still be the same." She sighed. "You are not allowed to peek at the drawings."

"Aw, man." Adam stuck out his lower lip in a pout, then exaggerated his frustration by dragging his feet down the hall back to his room. "You can't just tease a guy like that," he called out before he shut his door.

"Have you been teasing him?" Heather asked, ruffling her hair.

"I told him the tables were going to turn on Landor, and nothing more."

* 376 *

"Oh?" Heather lifted an eyebrow. "Do I get more?"

"Let's say...Emily will succ.u.mb to temptations and get in trouble."

"I see." Heather looked away. "And the demon saves her from the danger."