FLOWERS and CAGES Read online

  "Zoe would tell us if she wasn't happy. Right?"

  "Yes," Ryder said firmly. When he met Dalton's gaze, there might have been a touch of doubt.

  The pilot's voice filled the cabin, letting them know they were minutes from landing.

  "Zoe is fine." Ashe buckled his seatbelt. "She dates. More than we do. Like us, she hasn't had time for anything long-term."

  "I suppose you're right."

  "Ask Quinn," Ashe suggested. "They've been spending more time together."

  "That's true." Ryder perked up.

  "Zoe does have somebody to confide in." Feeling better, Dalton picked up his phone, checking his messages—again. "Finally. Colleen left a text."

  "What does it say?" Ashe leaned closer.

  "Meet us at the lake."

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  AFTER HOURS OF silence, Dalton had expected more than four words from Colleen. As they drove from Phoenix to Midas, he wondered what the hell was going on. She still wasn't answering his calls. Neither were Quinn and Zoe. During the twenty-minute trip, Dalton fluctuated between anger and relief. At least she was capable of texting him. For now, he would console himself with the knowledge that Ryder was just as pissed as he was.

  "Damn it, Quinn," Ryder growled into his phone. "Never again. Understand?"

  "I'm certain she's quaking in her boots." Ashe occupied the backseat this time. Dalton drove the rented SUV while Ryder rode shotgun. "It isn't informative, but at least Zoe's text is colorful."

  Dalton breathed a little easier as Midas came into view. Jesus. He never thought that would happen. "What did she say?"

  "We can take care of ourselves. Stop calling every five seconds, asshole."

  "That's my little sister," Ryder chuckled, pride mingling equally with exasperation.

  Ashe looked out the window, his grin fading. "Is it possible that this town is more depressing than it was seven years ago?"

  "Sad." Ryder perused the landscape. "It's hard to believe Colleen came out of this."

  "She had the benefit of not being born here. Though I think Colleen would have turned out the same no matter the setting."

  "Ah." Dramatically, Ashe clutched at his heart. "Tell me, Dalton. How do you know if it's love or a bad case of indigestion?"

  Since he was still trying to figure that one out himself, Dalton let the jab pass without comment. One minute, he was certain he knew how he felt. Then Colleen made him so angry, he questioned how he could love her and want to strangle her at the same time.

  Taking the turnoff to the lake, Dalton had to slow the SUV over the bumpy, unpaved road. The last two hundred yards seemed to take an eternity. Finally, he caught sight of Zoe's car. The cobalt Ferrari was parked in front of the cabin. Pulling to a stop, Dalton scanned the area as his feet hit the ground.

  "Over here."

  Colleen. Her red hair gleamed in the afternoon sun as she walked toward him. The second Dalton saw her, he had the answer. Loving someone and wanting to strangle them? As crazy as it sounded, not only was it possible, it was inevitable.

  Meeting her halfway, Dalton opened his arms. Happily, Colleen walked in.

  "Are you angry?"

  "Yes."

  "Want to yell at me?"

  "Later."

  Dalton took Colleen's mouth with his. He was rough to start, his pent-up emotions too deep to temper. Instead of pulling back, Colleen met his kiss head on. Her hands clasped the sides of Dalton's face as though afraid he would disappear if she didn't hold tight.

  Next to them, Quinn and Ryder were clasped in a similar embrace. Less desperate, but no less intense.

  "Don't even think about it," Zoe warned when Ashe met her gaze. Laughing, she accepted his hug. She gave in, relaxing in his arms. She felt the warmth of love—different than the kissing couples—but no less real.

  "Everything okay, kid?" Ashe kept an arm around her shoulders.

  "You won't believe the shit that is going down, Ashe."

  "Shit?" Dalton glanced at Zoe.

  "A massive pile. And it's growing as we speak." Colleen took Dalton's hand. "I won't apologize for trying to keep you out of it. You were worried?"

  "That's one way of putting it." Dalton's response was as dry as the Midas air. Colleen had the good grace to wince. "Tell me what happened."

  They gathered around the picnic table, listening closely. Colleen started with the phone call from her mother.

  "We couldn't let Colleen come to Midas alone," Quinn explained. Before Ryder could blast her, she added, "You would have told Dalton. The whole point was to keep him out of it."

  "You think that's a good excuse?" Ryder's eyes narrowed.

  "That look isn't as intimidating as you think," Zoe told her brother. "And it isn't an excuse. Quinn was simply stating a fact. Our intentions were noble. We would do it again. End of discussion."

  "I don't think so. However, that can wait until we get back to Los Angeles." Ryder shot Zoe a look that made her chin go up, and her shoulders straighten. "Go on, Colleen."

  It didn't take long for Colleen to explain. The burned-out car. The runaround at the police station. It was pretty straightforward.

  "I'm sorry about the Thunderbird." Dalton rubbed Colleen's arm. "You're right. It has Collier's petulant fingerprints all over it."

  "I burned off my angry before we got to Midas. I'm grateful whoever did the job didn't start the fire in the garage. Somebody could have been killed."

  "That's it?" Ashe looked from face to face. "You collect the insurance and Collier Langley walks away unscathed? Again?"

  "I still have to deal with my sister," Dalton reminded Ashe.

  "About that." Colleen hesitated.

  "Do you know something about Maggie?"

  "Tell him, Colleen," Zoe urged. "Dalton has few illusions left when it comes to his sister."

  "Zoe is right." Dalton was prepared for the worst, but he couldn't help the feeling of dread. He had the feeling his last shred of hope for Maggie was about to be blown out of the water.

  "Maggie is sleeping with Collier Langley." When Dalton didn't react, Colleen frowned. "Did you hear me? Your sister and Collier."

  "I already figured that out. Maggie's tearful phone call telling me Collier hit her? I don't think she lied. We know Collier likes to hit his sexual partners. It was the only thing that made sense."-

  "There's more." Quinn took Ryder's hand.

  "There always is." Dalton sighed, looking Colleen straight in the eyes. "Enough of the bits and pieces. What is going on?"

  "We heard all of this from the woman who does Maggie's hair. It seems your sister isn't terribly discreet. Still, it is secondhand information. It made sense to get some reliable corroboration."

  "Who—?"

  Dalton broke off as a car came into view. The tan Ford Focus stopped a few feet away. As the door opened, a thin man with sandy-colored hair got out. He had changed, but Dalton recognized him immediately.

  "Norris."

  Maggie's husband, his shoulders stooped with what might have been the weight of the world, nodded.

  "Hello, Dalton. It's been a long time."

  NORRIS TOLD HIS story haltingly, sweat glistening on his upper lip. Listening to the tale of deception, tears, and woe, Dalton had little sympathy for his brother-in-law.

  "I should have put a stop to it long ago," Norris sniffled, pulling a wrinkled handkerchief from the back pocket of his brown polyester slacks. "But she has a way about her, you know? I was dazzled from the moment we met. I loved her, Dalton. I wanted to make her happy."

  Maggie used her husband as she used everyone. And he let her. Norris hadn't sold the story about Dalton to the tabloids. It was Maggie's idea. Norris didn't know where the money went. He let her take care of the finances. Moving to Midas had been Maggie's idea—though Norris admitted, he was out of work.

  "I was never much of a businessman."

  "What about Maggie and Collier?" Dalton f
elt a layer of dirt settling over him. There would be no washing it off until he had all the gory details—and was far away from Midas.

  Norris kept his eyes on the table, his hands nervously fidgeting on his lap. "They were friendly before. Seven years ago."

  Dalton discovered Maggie had a few surprises left for him. The affair with Collier began during Dalton's trial, lasting until the guilty verdict was handed down. That was when Maggie latched onto Norris, convincing him to move to New York. Buffalo wasn't ideal, but Norris had friends who could help them get started.

  "Maggie was never faithful."

  "I don't care, Norris." Jesus. The man was a quivering wimp. Dalton took a deep breath. "Keep the story to present day."

  Sensing Dalton was losing patience quickly, Colleen touched Norris on the shoulder. "Did you bring the flash drive?"

  "Right." Norris took it from his shirt pocket. "Sylvia set it up. She's the best."

  "Sylvia?" Dalton exchanged confused looks with Ryder and Ashe.

  Colleen plugged the drive into her phone. "Sylvia and Norris are going to get married as soon as his divorce is final. She works at my mother's beauty salon. Head beautician. It was her idea to put a camera in Maggie's bedroom."

  "Evidence for a no-fault divorce." Norris frowned. "I think that is how Sylvia put it."

  The picture was surprisingly clear. High-definition, Norris informed them proudly. It seemed Sylvia's second husband worked for the local cable company. She learned quite a lot in the six months they were married.

  "I don't know who the bigger idiot is." Dalton shook his head as the screen went blank. "Collier. My sister. Or me."

  "Don't you dare lump yourself with them." Colleen's green eyes contained a fierce glow. "They belong in the idiot's hall of fame. Your only crime was trying to find enough good in your sister to justify helping her when she asked."

  "Colleen is right." Ryder looked like Dalton felt. Shell-shocked. "Nobody in their right mind thinks the way Maggie does."

  "Except Collier." Ashe's eyes contained a slightly glazed-over expression.

  "You'll take care of everything?" Norris stood, inching toward his car. "Sylvia said you would."

  "Leave it to us, Norris."

  "Was he always so twitchy?" Zoe asked Dalton, watching Norris drive away.

  "I don't remember him that way."

  "Seven years of Maggie." Ashe shuddered. "How scary is that?"

  "What now?" Quinn sat with Ryder's arm around her. Like everyone, she was trying to process all the information. And the implications.

  Dalton didn't have to think about it for long. There was one way to end it. Here and now. A solution that would put a big, flashing exclamation point on this mess and the one he got himself into seven years ago.

  "It's okay, Red." Dalton kissed Colleen's worried brow. Picking up his phone, he hit speed dial.

  "Dalton. Are you still in Midas? Please tell me you aren't in jail."

  "Not this time, Alden." Dalton smiled. Leave it to their manager to unknowingly lighten the moment. "I need you to do me a favor."

  "Name it."

  THE GATES SLOWLY opened allowing Dalton to drive through. It was a different world. All green lawns and shiny windows. It gave Dalton the creeps. All he could think as the SUV's tires passed silently over the paved street was that fate had to be laughing her ass off. Not only was he willingly on his way to the home of Judge Manfred T. Langley, the visit was by invitation. Issued by the man himself.

  Not that Langley had a choice. Alden used his contacts to make it clear. Either he play host to Dalton or, within hours, find his son's latest screw up blasted all over the internet.

  Dalton made a right turn, pulling into a long, circular driveway. "I have to hand it to our manager. Alden moved fast. Without his usual endless questions."

  "Is it just me, or does this place give off a creepy vibe?" Ashe asked, peering out the window as Dalton stopped in front of the Langley mansion.

  "It's not you," Zoe and Quinn answered simultaneously.

  "I thought the same thing," Ryder remarked, helping Zoe from the SUV before taking Quinn's hand.

  "Me too."

  "Me three." Dalton laced his fingers with Colleen's. "Safety in numbers."

  "You have truth on your side," she reminded him.

  "I had that seven years ago and look where it got me."

  "This time, all the witnesses are on your team. Langley can't pay us off."

  Ryder was right. Tonight, Dalton had all the power. Keeping Colleen close, he raised the ornate brass knocker, banging it twice. One last surprise. Instead of a servant, Judge Langley was the one who opened the door.

  "I expected you to come alone."

  "My game, Judge. My rules."

  Nodding his head, the older man let them enter. Dalton didn't spend time taking in his surroundings. Luxurious furnishings that screamed rich. He had seen it all before. It was Langley who interested him. They had never met. Not officially. Dalton had wondered what it would be like to stand face to face with the man who had changed the course of his life.

  "I thought you would be taller."

  And bigger, Dalton thought. Manfred Langley turned out to be an average man. In height. In build. He wasn't handsome or homely. His silver hair wasn't thick or excessively thin. Average. Monsters, it seemed, came in all kinds of packages.

  "Excuse me?" Judge Langley's gray eyebrows raised in surprise.

  "Nothing." Dalton shook his head. "Just a random thought."

  "We might as well get this over with. Follow me."

  "There's no point. I'll say my piece and leave."

  "This isn't about money?" Langley frowned, obviously thrown by the discovery.

  "Blackmail, Judge? Not my style." Dalton took the flash drive, setting it on a small marble-topped table near the door. "Collier conspired with my sister to set me up. You know the routine. He hits Maggie. I knock the shit out of him. Police. Handcuffs. Jail. Perhaps a convenient witness or two. You get the idea."

  "I'm certain you're mistaken." Langley had a fine poker face. It didn't matter. This time, Dalton had a straight flush, ace high.

  "It's all there. Recorded for posterity."

  To his credit, Judge Langley understood when he was beaten. Head held high, he met Dalton's gaze head on.

  "What do you want?"

  "Simple. Collier's political aspirations are over. If I get a hint that he's considering running for elected office, I won't hesitate to release his latest folly to the public."

  "What about your sister?"

  Without the slightest hesitation, Dalton simply said, "What about her?"

  No one spoke as they left the house. They loaded into the SUV. Before they were out of the driveway, Zoe closed her eyes, snuggling down with her head resting on Ashe's shoulder.

  "Forget driving back to Los Angeles. I'll hire somebody to do it for me."

  "Sounds good to me." Quinn yawned.

  "If I never see Midas again, it will be too soon," Ryder declared. Making certain Quinn was buckled in, he put on his seatbelt.

  Ashe let out a long, loud sigh. "Amen, brother. By now, those words should be indelibly branded into our brains."

  "How about you?" Dalton asked Colleen.

  "I'm through with Midas. I'm with Ryder. Never again."

  Words that were the cherry on top of an unbelievably satisfying evening. Colleen hadn't exactly made a declaration of her undying love. If she planned on living in Los Angeles, Dalton saw his chances as mighty fine.

  Just to be certain, Dalton decided to play devil's advocate. "You have an apartment full of stuff. And what about your mother?"

  "For a few beers, Rick can get his buddies to clean out my apartment. As for Mom?" A smile flitted across her lips. "She will love Los Angeles. I won't have a problem getting her to visit."

  That settled, Dalton headed out of town. Nobody looked back when they passed the sign that read Leaving Mid
as.

  "I live in Los Angeles."

  "I'm aware."

  "Colleen—"

  "I think we should date."

  Suddenly, you could hear a pin drop. It wasn't the audience riding in the back that made Dalton choose his words carefully. This was his future hanging in the balance. His happiness. The last thing he wanted was to say the wrong thing when the woman he wanted was so close to being his.

  "Date? As in dinner and a movie? Walks along the beach? A weekend in the country?"

  "Sounds perfect."

  "Are you thinking about getting an apartment?"

  "Zoe offered to let me stay with her. At first."

  "Did she?" Looking in the rearview mirror, Dalton swore he saw Zoe's lips twitch. Since Zoe's house was less than a ten-minute drive from his, he decided he could live with that. For now.

  "I need to find a job."

  "You should be restoring cars. I can lend you start-up money."

  "You could," Colleen nodded. "How long until I have to pay you back?"

  "Take all the time you need. Five, ten years?" Dalton liked the sound of that. A long, drawn-out contract.

  "You realize that if I take your money, we can't have sex until I pay back the loan."

  Ashe found Colleen's declaration hilarious, making no attempt to temper his laughter.

  "How about a bank loan? I could co-sign."

  "Same principle," Colleen told him firmly. "You can help me, but I become a no-sex zone. At least where you're concerned."

  "Who else do you plan on having sex with?" Dalton had no idea how he had dug this hole, but it seemed to be getting deeper.

  "My plans only involve you."

  "I like the sound of that."

  "As long as you drop all talk of money." Colleen smiled when Dalton silently crossed his heart. "There are several businesses in Los Angeles that specialize in classic car restoration. I know the owner of one. He was a big help when I hit a snag in the middle of fixing up the Thunderbird."

  "You've met?"