Bad Habit Page 7

  Angel drove to the side street and parked where he could observe the nun’s apartment, the convent and school. He kept the motor idling with the air conditioning running for survival. Thankfully, the rental car idled silently. He observed the area for several hours and made notes concerning some of the vehicles and passers-by. It appeared that the cars parked along the street were either tenants or visitors at the apartments. The area around the school and convent was quiet and dimly lit with deep shadows, making it easy to secret oneself.

  Angel exited the vehicle and quietly closed the door. He walked, in what he hoped was a casual manner, along the sidewalk across the street from the apartment and convent. He examined each car and found them to be unoccupied. Arriving at the corner, he crossed and returned on the opposite side. These cars were also unoccupied.

  Angel checked the grounds and ducked into the shadows as a priest and several nuns left the church. They chatted for a few minutes and then separated. The priest went to a small bungalow located at the back of the property and the nuns went into the convent.

  Angel remained where he was, breathing silently and listening for anything out of the ordinary as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness.

  Crickets chirped and traffic noises from a busy main artery several blocks away punctuated the stillness. The night was hot and damp. He smelled the fragrance of flowering shrubs nearby.

  He stepped from the shadows and walked quietly around the perimeter before making his way to the nun’s apartment in the next block. He circled, approaching from the rear.

  He stopped short. The smell of a cigarette reached his nostrils. A thousand pinpricks tingled at the back of his neck as all his senses went on alert.

  A smile quirked his lips. Someone stood in the shadows behind the tree where he had encountered the private investigator earlier. The tip of a cigarette glowed in the darkness and a thin wisp of smoke curled upwards.

  Angel made a wide and surreptitious circle, coming up behind the smoker.

  “Marcel, Marcel.” He said. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Marcel dropped the cigarette and spun around. “Jeez! You scared me.” He leaned his hand against the tree for support.

  Angel took a step closer.

  “Don’t hit me!”

  “Marcel, you need to respect the need for privacy here. Leave them alone.”

  “Look, man,” Marcel croaked out. “I don’t want any trouble.”

  “In that case, you should leave now.”

  “I can’t,” he said. “I need this job.”

  “You can tell me who hired you.” Angel took another step toward him, his hand resting lightly on his holstered weapon. Not that he’d ever draw it without just cause, but it posed an implied threat, nonetheless.

  Marcel swallowed. “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. If it’s not someone harmful, I’ll leave you alone.”

  Marcel seemed to consider this, eyeing Angel and his threatening stance. “Okay. It’s a man named Martin Kelso from New York. I got this referral from an acquaintance and he’s paying top dollar. I’m just supposed to look out for a woman whose sister lives in this apartment.”

  “And if she turns up? What then?”

  “I’m supposed to call this Mr. Kelso. That’s all.” Marcel looked at Angel, his palms spread upward.

  “Okay. You can keep your vigil, but don’t bother the nuns. They shouldn’t even know you’re here.”

  “I’ll be invisible,” Marcel assured him.

  Angel took out his wallet, peeling fifty dollars out and handing it to Marcel with his card. “If you notice anyone else interested in the nuns, call me. I’ll pay you for the information.”

  “Yeah, thanks man.” Marcel pocketed the bills. “I’ll do that.”

  Angel slipped into the shadows and returned to the car. He blasted the air conditioner on high and checked to see if he was being followed. When he determined he was alone, he drove back to his family home, smiling broadly in anticipation of being with Teri again.

  #

  Teri slipped her feet into tangerine colored sandals with stiletto heels. She buckled the straps around her ankles and stood.

  “Turn around.” Rosario made a twirling motion with her finger.

  Teri complied, the skirt of her borrowed dress swirling behind her. She looked in the mirror tacked to the back of the bedroom door. The white strapless dress had a large print of tiger lilies, the oranges and lime colors more suited to the sisters who surveyed her critically.

  They shook their collective heads and returned to the closet.

  “This!” Elena said. She pulled something black from the interior. It was a sheath with tiny straps and a slit up the side. “This is the one. Take off that fruit salad.”

  Teri laughed while Rosario unzipped the orange dress. As she pulled on the sheath she agreed with Elena’s selection.

  “Yes, this is the one.”

  “It will make my big brother melt with desire.”

  Teri stopped, not certain she could handle Angel melted.

  Elena zipped the black dress and nodded her head.

  “Yes! Rosario said. “You look very sexy. Let me get the shoes.”

  Teri gazed at herself, thinking she did indeed look sexy. After masquerading as a nun she felt like a schoolgirl playing dress up.

  Rosario produced the shoes, sandals again but not as high. The effect was quite nice contrasting Teri’s pale skin with the black sheath and sandals. Teri grinned in approval.

  “Now the hair,” Elena said. She stood with her hands on her hips, scowling at Teri’s short coif.

  “I don’t think my hair can be beautified.” Teri ran her fingers through the cropped cap.

  “Never say never.” Rosario held up a small curling iron and plugged it in. “How about some blush?”

  Elena was already digging into her cosmetics case. “Try these,” she instructed. “They’re too pink for me.” She handed Teri a brand new compact with blush and eye shadow.

  “It was a gift but I’ve never worn them. Not my colors. I like warm shades.”

  But they were perfect for Teri. She touched the curve of her cheeks with the blush and smiled. A hint of eye shadow and a lot of mascara caused Teri to openly grin.

  Rosario attacked Teri’s shining hair with the curling iron leaving a soft cap of curls atop her head.

  “Wow!” Elena said. “You look like a model!”

  “I’m back!” Teri said to her image in the mirror.

  Satisfied, Elena and Rosario dressed themselves and applied make up. Elena brushed her long straight hair and pulled it back from her face with ornate silver and tortoise shell combs.

  “They belonged to my Tía Luz. She gave them to me when she cut her hair. She wears it as short as yours, Teri.”

  “They’re beautiful.” Teri sat on the bed and watched the girls primp.

  Rosario curled her hair and pinned a silk hibiscus on one side. “How do I look?

  “Gorgeous!” Teri said.

  The three young women trooped down the steps, making a lot of noise with their heels. Angel stood at the foot of the stairs, leaning against the Newell post. He held out his hand to Elena and guided her down the last few steps. “Beautiful,” he said. He repeated his gesture to Rosario. “Lovely.” He held out his hand to Teri.

  Her stomach was aflutter with a herd of butterflies when she placed her hand in Angel’s and took the last few steps toward him. She paused on the last step, standing at his eye level in her borrowed heels.

  “What do you think?” she said. “Am I presentable?”

  “You take my breath away,” he said, under his breath.

  She met his gaze and felt a shiver creep down her spine.

  “Come on. Come on down.” Isabel waved her hand. “Show us the dress.”

  Angel stood close as she took the last step down. She felt his presence as close as an embrace.

  “Wow!” Mikey let out a low whistle.

  Teri
spun around, grinning.

  “You look lovely,” Isabel said. “But you need something.” She drew a lacy black shawl around Teri’s shoulders. “And here.” She dropped a pair of sparkling dangle earrings in Teri’s palm. “They belonged to my mother. She gave them to me.”

  Her pulses kicked as she opened her hand. The faceted sapphires glittered under the chandelier in the entryway. Teri gulped back the lump that had formed in her throat and forced a smile. “Thank you. I promise to take good care of them and return them to you in good shape.”

  Isabel started to speak but something in her son’s gaze changed her mind. She ducked her head and moved away.

  “Who’s riding with us?” Angel asked.

  The entire family trooped outside and piled into Angel’s rental and the family’s SUV.

  Angel transported Teri with his two oldest sisters giggling from the back seat. His parents, little sister and brother rode in the SUV. A neighbor had been called to stay with great-grandmother.

  Angel let his sisters off at a corner by the river and parked the car in a public lot a block away.

  “I’m sorry you have to walk with me. I didn’t want to be separated from you.”

  Teri wondered if it was his official duty that made him reluctant to drop her on the street with his sisters, or something else. “It’s okay,” Teri said softly. “I didn’t want you to be separated from me.”

  He tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and escorted her to the corner where he had let the girls out. They walked down a flight of stone steps to the River Walk. Bright lights were strung overhead spanning the river. A restaurant barge filled with tables and diners motored by leaving the smell of burned diesel fuel in the air. The limestone walk meandered on both sides of the river with frequent arched bridges spanning the water and allowing the boats to pass underneath.

  Small shops specializing in souvenirs for tourists were still open. Tantalizing aromas wafted from restaurants with tables clustered close to the sidewalk.

  Angel slipped his arm around Teri, settling his hand comfortably at her waist.

  It felt good to have this man holding her. They walked under an overpass. The lighting was dimmer here and the stone was rough. The heel of her borrowed sandal wedged in the mortar. She stumbled against Angel and he caught her. She leaned against his chest and his arms remained tight around her.

  “Thanks,” she whispered. “I haven’t worn heels in a while. I guess I’m rusty.”

  He caressed her cheek with his fingertips. Teri raised her chin as Angel’s lips brushed gently against hers. Teri stood on tiptoe and slipped her arms around his neck. She kissed him again, his lips igniting hers with passion.

  The kiss was more intense than she anticipated. A soft moan reached her ears as he held her tight, letting his tongue explore her mouth.

  Hearing footsteps, they pulled apart. Angel’s brother and sister stood a short distance away, staring at them.

  “Just friends?” Elena said.

  “Yeah, right!” Mikey said.

  Elena shook her head, grinning. “Come on. Mama was worried.”

  Angel laughed, releasing Teri. “We’ve been stalked.” He held her hand and led her to the nightclub a short distance from the underpass.

  Teri heard lively music pulsing through the doors. They pushed inside and the sound enveloped them. Angel’s father stood waving to them. The immediate Garcia family and a few others sat clustered around a large table close to the dance floor.

  “You see,” Angel said with a sweep of his hand. “The Garcia’s can party at the drop of a hat.”

  Teri was introduced to Elena’s fiancé, Charlie, and to Isabel’s sister Luz, her husband and their son.

  “Oh,” Luz said. “You’re wearing Mama’s earrings.”

  Teri fingered the dangling sapphires, glancing from Luz to Isabel and letting her gaze rest on Angel.

  “Not to worry.” He kissed her temple. “They belonged to my grandmother and she gave them to my mother.”

  Teri felt a herd of butterflies doing gymnastics in her stomach.

  “Don’t look so frightened, Mia. They look great on you. Would you like a Margarita or a Pina Colada?” Angel asked against her ear, sending a tingle down her spine.

  “Is that all they serve here?” she asked.

  “No, but they’re cold and very refreshing.”

  “Good idea,” she said. “I’ll have a Pina Colada.”

  Angel spoke to the waitress.

  Elena and Charlie stepped onto the floor and danced with the confidence of long-time partners.

  “Would you care to dance?” Angel whispered.

  “I don’t know the steps.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I’ll have a good excuse to hold you in my arms.”

  Teri smiled, thinking she would have her arms around Angel. “I’d love to.”

  When they danced he demonstrated the simple steps and proved to be an excellent dancer. They danced through the next song and when the tempo slowed he pulled her close. The singer’s voice throbbed with emotion. They danced in a smaller space, breathing each other’s air. They felt each movement the other made, their bodies moving in time to the sensuous music. Others swirled around them but they didn’t notice. When the song came to an end the band announced a break.

  Teri found herself reluctant to remove her arms from around Detective Angel Garcia’s neck; unwilling to move away from him; unwilling to allow him to take his arms from the circle in which he held her. It was the first time she’d felt safe in months.

  She gazed up at him, smiling as he continued to move to music no one else could hear. Recorded music kicked in and they remained swaying together.

  “Our drinks are melting,” she said.

  Angel relaxed his hold on her but didn’t step away. “We can’t let that happen.”

  She slowly released him. They returned to the table and he seated her next to his mother.

  Teri sipped the icy drink. The fruity quaff chilled a trail down her throat. “This is delicious.” Teri looked around the table and found everyone smiling at her. She blushed, thinking that she was revealing too much.

  “So, Teresa,” Isabel said. “What do you do?”

  “I guess I’m unemployed now.” Teri laughed and shook her head. “I’ll have to find a job when I get back.”

  “Back? Where are you from?”

  “I was living in New York.” Teri sipped her drink.

  “You and Angel met in New York city?”

  “Mother, enough!” Angel shot his mother a look that silenced her. “I followed her here,” he said in a softer tone.

  Isabel pursed her lips, thoughtfully and then shrugged. “For whatever reason you’re here,” I’m glad.”

  Teri smiled at her. “I’m glad I’m here right now with all of you.” She sipped the icy drink to cover the sudden wave of shyness that washed over her. Teri Slaughter is not shy. The stab of pain to her temples brought a grimace.

  “Slow down, Mia,” Angel whispered.

  Easy for you to say. She had been zooming on a rocket ride since she met the handsome detective. She gazed into his eyes and felt the rest of the crowd slip away. It was as if they were alone for a split second; as if she caught a glimpse of his soul; as if the fires burning in the depths of his eyes were blazing just for her.

  #

  CHAPTER TEN

  A screech from the microphone broke her reverie. A man stepped down from the stage and approached them. He shook hands and hugged people as he made his way around the table.

  “Rickito!” Isabel hugged him and Arturo embraced the man warmly. He was introduced to Teri as Isabel’s brother, Ricardo, affectionately called Ricky. He was a small man, shorter than Teri and his hands were about the same size as hers.

  “I am happy to meet Angel’s novia.” Ricky let his fingers gently touch one of the sapphire earrings Isabel had lent her. He met her eyes, smiling broadly. “Are you enjoying the music?”

  Ter
i said she was and complimented him on the club. He told her it had been their father’s restaurant. When he’d taken over he put in a dance floor. The same cooks worked there as when his father was alive but now they had a bartender as well. The other musicians were reassembling on the stage. Ricky kissed Teri’s hand and his sisters Isabel and Luz on the cheek before joining them.

  Arturo stood and held his wife’s chair before leading her to the dance floor. They danced well together. Teri sat grinning as Angel stroked her hand.

  “What are you smiling about?” he asked.

  “Your parents. They look so young. It’s nice to see people who stay in love.”

  “It’s a family tradition,” he whispered. “Be careful if you marry a Garcia because we mate for life.”

  His breath on her neck incited a riot of shivers like frenetic spiders skittering across her flesh.

  Teri looked down at her drink, drawing a shaky breath as she reached for it. She sipped the icy liquid too fast, causing a stabbing pain in her temple. “What was it that your uncle Ricky called me?”

  “Novia. He called you my sweetheart. It can also mean my fiancée or betrothed.”

  “Ooh.” Teri took another sip sending a shaft of agony shooting to her head.

  Angel smiled. “Teri,” he whispered against her hair so that only she could hear. “I know things are moving too fast for you. I know you’re vulnerable. I’m crazy about you but, if you want me to back off, I will.”

  She felt as though a feather pillow had exploded in her chest. “I—I don’t think I do,” she said, resting the back of her hand against his chest.

  He clasped it tightly and kissed her fingers. “Good.”

  The family continued to talk and laugh together. Esme came to her brother Angel and asked him to dance with her. He led the young girl to the floor and Arturo asked Teri to dance.

  Surprised, she said, “I’m terrible. I warn you.”

  He smiled and held out his hand. When they took the floor Teri found he had a strong lead. Teri enjoyed the dance in spite of her lack of experience with Latin dances.

  “Are you in love with my son?” Arturo asked.

  Teri was taken aback by his question. “I can’t answer that,” she said.