In the Shadow of the Tiger (The Fighter Series Book 2) Page 12

  “I was just getting ready to wake you. Jack said you needed to rest.” She said motioning Riley out.

  Riley, still dressed in a black long-sleeved shirt and fatigues, felt awkwardly uncomfortable.

  “Jack didn’t tell you about me?”

  “About you? No.” Riley paused. “Is there something I should know about you?”

  “I’m Tulley’s granddaughter, Jesse.” She said setting the cloth off to the side and turning towards Riley. She extended her hand and Riley shook it.

  “Riley.”

  “I know, and you are just as beautiful as Jack said." She said. "Jack is a quiet man."

  “To say the least.” Riley chuckled. “I haven’t met your grandfather yet.”

  “You will shortly. He’s getting old and doesn’t like to do the cleaning or cooking, so I do it. He takes care of the boat, the engine and all the guy things that make her run and look so good. Though life has changed, Jack hasn’t.”

  She had to be in her early twenties, but her mannerisms matured. There was no ring on her finger and with eyes like those; she surely had a line of men chasing her at every turn, which brought Riley back to Jack. He never mentioned Tulley's granddaughter, and now she knew why.

  “Jack told me to set four place settings. Is your brother going to be here for dinner also?” Riley saw her eyebrows lift and her expression soften. Her concerns for competition vanished.

  She knew more about Riley than Riley did of her. The question put many things in perspective. Riley felt her shoulders relax a bit.

  “What time is it?” Riley asked.

  “A quarter after five.”

  “Dinner.”

  “Seven.” She said. “Hope you’re hungry.”

  Riley glanced around the boat’s galley, but saw no food cooking nor could she smell anything coming from the oven only from the candle burning nearby.

  “Grandma is cooking the food at home. Tully will bring it over with him.” She reached into the refrigerator and took out a plate of cheese and salami. “Would you like a glass of wine? Pinot Noir right?”

  "Awesome," Riley said, pulling down two wineglasses. She looked at Jesse and smiled as she uncorked the bottle. It made a little pop. Jesse poured them both a drink, and they raised their glasses to toast the evening. The glasses touched, and there was a soft pinging sound.

  “Mmmm," Riley said letting the wine roll over her tongue. It was good, smooth and at one time costly. Riley nibbled on the cheese and salami sipping the wine not to catch a buzz but rather calm her nerves. She thought of the car she had found on the Oregon Coastline highway 101, which included a dead man and his cheap bottle of wine. “Four place settings?”

  “Four,” Jesse repeated.

  “I better get in the shower.”

  Riley started to move toward the bathroom taking her wine with her and then stopped. Riley’s wardrobe mostly made up of combat boots, fatigues, and black shirts.

  "I hung a dress in your closet. I hope it's your size. Jack gave me direct instructions so if you don't like it tell him."

  “Why am I suddenly worried?” Riley said.

  “I know why.” She said. “But I’m positive you’ll be stunning tonight.”

  “You took care of my brother didn’t you?” Riley asked.

  “Mmmm.” Was all Jesse said?

  Riley slipped out of the shower and into her dress. The aroma of food coming from the galley smelled delicious. However, her stomach lingered on hold when she saw her reflection in the full-size mirror. The dress, made of a rich royal blue material with a sheer chiffon skirt, started high on the thigh.

  “Well, this ought to turn some heads.” She said aloud. “Maybe a bit chilly as well.”

  The front dipped down into a deep V but beautifully fitted. Riley believed Jesse was an expert in sizing people. One size too small and the cut would've never fit. Looking like a sleeveless dress, the cut out exposed her shoulders, back and some of her side. Far from conservative, Riley wouldn’t have risked such a dress, but as time passed, she found clothes to be fun, flirty and this one was flat-out sexy. She decided to wear her hair up assuring every inch of her back showed. Riley placed her blonde hair into a chignon up do, added a little makeup finding the reflection staring at her to be lovely. It was a stark contrast to dark jeans and black t-shirts. The only question remaining was could she walk in the shoes Jesse matched to the dress. Admitting her outfit for the evening made her feel elegant setting aside the fear of tripping on the high heels.

  It was six O’clock when Jack came aboard. He gave Jesse a little kiss on the cheek and a little pat on the back. Riley watched as any woman would but grinned instead of scowled. He paused; a carrot pressed to his lips, and then looked at Riley.

  "Wow!" He said. He stepped forward slowly pulling Riley into his arms. He held her carefully into his body leaning in as his lips pressed toward hers and kissed her hungrily. Jack was seductively mysterious like that. His kiss was lingering, intense and she got the feeling he was hungry for her. She loved Jack Colton for the man he was especially in times like these. When he had her all warmed up, he pulled back. Another trait she craved. Rev her up and then let her cool down.

  “I forgot to tell you about dinner.” He said softly.

  “You forgot to tell me about dinner, but Axel didn't." Riley smiled up at him.

  “You smell good enough to eat.” He said. “Too bad you already showered.”

  “Your turn.” She said.

  “Wicked.”

  “Not really.”

  He let her go but only after kissing her forehead tenderly. “The soft side of you.” She didn’t say but rather thought. If you didn’t know him, you'd never guess he had one.

  “I take it you like the dress,” Jesse said smiling.

  “How can you not like the dress or the lady in the dress?” Jack said.

  “I like the dress,” Riley said.

  Eric appeared in the doorway. Dressed in a dark gray suit and rather than wearing a tie, he wore a collared shirt layered with a V neck sweater. Gone were his fatigues and guns. For an instant, Riley felt like the Shift had never happened.

  “Wow, nice cleanup brother,” Riley said. He was leaning against the door all casual like and even though his face was starting to show some discoloration, he was as handsome as ever. “Is that makeup on your…..”

  “Hey, hey…” He interjected. “Conman was only trying to erase the Frankenstein look and make me acceptable for dinner.”

  “Nice,” Riley said.

  “You look great sis.” He said stepping in. Shift, as always, was close at his side.

  “Hello, girl," Riley said. She sat turning her head to the side and grunted. "You look good. A little on the light side but a few table….."

  “Nope,” Eric said in a playful tone. “She had her dinner.”

  “Come see me after dinner girl,” Riley whispered to her.

  “Smells good Jesse,” Eric said walking in behind her reaching for a cherry tomato out of the salad. She slapped his hand playfully. “Are you eating with us?” He asked. Riley suddenly saw the old Eric, and she wanted to jump with joy, but instead, she did something else.

  “Of course she is.”

  Jesse nodded her head. “I don’t have anything to wear.” She whispered to Riley.

  “Call your grandfather. I’m sure you can come up with something.” Riley replied.

  “What’s going on out here?” Jack said lightheartedly. “Sounds like the start of a dinner party to me.” He took two short glasses out and set them on the counter. He dropped several ice cubes in each one. The bottle of whiskey he pulled out from under-the-counter was a fine aged whiskey. The brown liquid glistened as he filled the decanter. He then filled both glasses and handed one to Eric.

  “I can’t,” Jesse whispered.

  “Yes, you can,” Jack whispered pouring them both another glass of wine. Riley grinned. Jack’s hearing was perfect. “Glad you’re among the living Kid!”

&n
bsp; Axel arrived fashionably late dressed in a beautiful silk suit and holding a bottle of cabernet and flowers. Jesse dressed in a little black dress minutes after Tulley came and the table had been reset to five place settings.

  The five of them sat on the bridge of the boat taking in the fresh breeze. A few restored city lights sparkled across the harbor like Christmas lights, and the moon was full. The darkness hid the scars of the Shift, and if forgetful, it was just another regular night in Long Beach. Across the water, a harmless and sparkling glow shimmered on the water below. Jesse's cousin, Chris, served their dinner. He was a tall, tanned boy with wavy blonde hair. He doted over their every need. The food was the best Riley ever had, and the effect was total silence. The conversation was light at first allowing them to pretend that death and violence did not complicate their lives.

  “How are Charlie and the others?” Riley asked bringing shoptalk to the table.

  "Awe Charlie. Surprisingly, she was in worse shape than the others were. They were all scared of course. A few of them drugged. Overall, they were glad to be on the ground again. A few had family. The others we will find homes for."

  “But Charlie is okay?” Riley asked seeing the little girl’s face in her mind.

  "She's going to be okay. Somehow she escaped and had been living on the ship for several weeks." Axel took a sip of his wine and looked at Riley. "Her grandmother is pretty sick. I'm not sure if she knew Charlie was even gone."

  “That’s sad,” Riley, said gazing down into the burgundy liquid in her glass. She had to calm her compassion otherwise she’d be taking home every stray appearing in her path. Charlie was a fighter, and Riley liked that about her.

  “Is there anything we can do to help?” Jack asked. Riley looked over at him and smiled.

  “I took them over to Catherine’s, Summer’s aunt. They will be safe from here on out.”

  “That’s good,” Riley said softly.

  "It could've been worse. Talking to the kids was enlightening. As far as we can tell there was no foul play other than kidnapping. They were more afraid of Candy. Rumor has it Candy would bring them on board and Dragon would take them off."

  “Blatant child slavery,” Eric said. “Those kids have no place to go, no family. Some of the willing ones were dealing out drugs into the city.”

  Axel looked over at Riley. “Jack tells me you have a daughter.”

  “Yes, Megan. Biologically she’s not my daughter?” Riley said.

  “She’s your daughter,” Axel said. “I can see it on your face.”

  Riley smiled thinking of Megan's dancing blue eyes and cherry red lips. "So what exactly is Dragon's place in all of this?" Riley asked.

  “He’s trying to find his place in life. He just found the wrong address.” Eric said.

  “Is he in it for the money?” Riley asked.

  “No. I don’t think so.” Eric answered. “It was Candy’s boys who were working me. Not Dragon.”

  “So we don’t even know what Dragon’s purpose is?” Riley said. “For all, we know he may be there for the same reason we were.” There, she’d let it slip out.

  “Do you know something we don’t Riley?” Jack asked turning his attention back on her.

  “Just because money has temporarily lost value the power behind it seems just as important. Think of how much is for the taking. Not to mention all the hidden money. We are going to have those people who want to rule the world.” Axel intervened.

  “Not me. I just want to fix it.” Riley said.

  Jesse looked over at Eric. “How did they catch you?”

  “I was chasing a tiger,” Eric said pouring everyone another glass of wine. Riley could see he wasn’t kidding and something to what he’d said was bothering him. Especially when Jack turned toward Eric, and for a moment the two of them said nothing.

  “A tiger?” Jesse asked.

  Riley was glad for the distraction from her to Eric, but her gut was telling her the two were holding something back.

  “I let my guard down and got knocked out by a dart loaded with enough tranquilizers to take down a horse,” Eric said rubbing his neck. “I don’t think Dragon even knew I was on board until after they had their fun with me. There’s something about him though. Dragon took the girl but left the rest of his crew behind. I don’t believe he’s a criminal, he’s running from something or someone?”

  “You saw him take Summer?” Jack asked.

  “A girl, probably Summer. That’s not to say there isn’t something dark and sinister going on. He's just not the man in charge." Eric said. Riley felt a chill creep across her skin. “Speaking of monsters that go boo in the night, did anyone else see the woman in the red dress?” Eric asked.

  It was Riley’s turn to look at Eric. Riley didn’t say a word. Having received the teasing about paranormal people and visions she’d claimed to have seen and experienced. Eric was more resilient and not easily convinced about objects or people he couldn’t see or touch.

  “Hmmm,” Jack said looking at Riley. Riley shrugged playing it off.

  “You didn’t see the woman? Tall blonde looked like a Vargas girl out of the fifties?” Eric asked.

  “Wish I had,” Jack said. “I have a Vargas girl already though.”

  Jesse was quiet. She listened but didn’t say a word, but then Riley could see why Eric hadn’t taken his eyes off her all-night even when he’d spoken of the woman in red. It did her heart good to see him interested and playful. Like the Eric, she’d known all her life.

  “Before the shift, the Queen Mary offered ghost tours. Although that part of its history became commercialized to build tourism, however, there were several deaths on the ship." Axel said sipping his wine.

  “Compliments to your grandmother," Riley said to Jesse. The subject ghosts made her apprehensive, and she didn't feel like getting into an argument tonight with anyone. "Dinner was fantastic."

  “Very good," Eric said helping her out. Everyone agreed, and Jesse blushed slightly.

  “I hope you saved room for dessert.” She said, smiling. “That’s my grandmother’s specialty.”

  “You’re a lucky granddaughter,” Riley said.

  “Their restaurant will be open in a few weeks,” Axel said. “Just in time for Christmas. We need places for people to gather, good food, fine wine, and music.”

  “It used to be that way on the pier,” Jack said. “Once upon a time.”

  “It will be again. It’s just going to take some time and lots of effort. Say, I thought Ryan was going to be here tonight also.” Axel said.

  “He’s doing body recovery on your ghost ship,” Jack said.

  “Sam must be working too then,” Riley said deviously.

  "Yes." Jack smiled. Ryan hadn't admitted it yet, but he had a liking for Sam.

  Riley felt another chill as the breeze picked up. Jack took off his jacket and set it over her shoulders. His body heat had warmed it, and she could smell him on the fabric. The wine had her a little buzzed. An unfamiliar comfort washed over her as she glanced at everyone's faces in the candlelight. She was experiencing things in an era of time which was volatile and unstable and still she felt a happiness stir inside her she'd never felt before. The comfort she felt now is how her life should've been so many years ago with Mark. Riley felt loved being with Jack, his family, and the team. For her to love back came with gradual confidence that even she could love in a broken world. However, the thought of Mark made the muscles in her neck draw inward, and she felt a sickening feeling she'd somehow forgotten.

  She gazed across the harbor where the Queen Mary sat while Jack, Axel, and Jesse chatted about the opening. As if on cue two of the three stacks lit up casting out a spray of light onto the water. They were only on for a few seconds and then fizzled out, but she held her gaze upward toward the end of the docks hoping they'd appear one more time. The ship’s stacks slipped from her mind when a silhouette near the entry gate walked past. Her first thought was her imagination playing tricks on her ag
ain, but this time the shape of the cat turned and faced the moored boats. Its white coat and nose pressed to the bars of the gate leading to where she sat. Riley blinked. She tried to make the image go away. She glanced over at Eric. He stepped to rails the boat. Riley followed him. He looked hard at the cat trying to find a way in. Riley felt his tension. His words sounded muffled under held breath and yet she heard him clearly.

  “Ringo,” the words slipped out of his mouth poisoning the air with pure evilness.