Ride A Falling Star (The Callahans) Page 4

  “Get dressed.” She lifted the silver lid off the first platter to keep her gaze from straying to the very enticing line of hair leading from between his nipples, past his belly button and disappearing under his towel.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Laughter filled his voice as he vanished into the bathroom again.

  Damn cowboy. He knew exactly how he affected her. She needed sleep, because no way in her right mind would she ever go for a man like him. If and when she ever wanted to get serious with someone, stability topped the list. A man who would be a good provider a good father. And a loyal husband. Not some rodeo cowboy chasing stars.

  Liar, her little voice whispered. He’s exactly what you need.

  Levi reappeared wearing a pair of gray sweats, a blue t-shirt with a rodeo logo across the back and clean socks. His dark hair was damp and he tousled it. “I feel better. That shower was just what I needed.”

  She took her plate. “Sounds nice.”

  “It’s all yours if you want it.” He took his own meal and perched on the end of his bed. “This looks good.”

  “I don’t have anything to change into.” She took a bite of her salad.

  He set his plate aside and went to his suitcase. Withdrawing a pair of sweats almost identical to the ones he had on and a pink t-shirt, he handed them to her. “These should get you through the night.”

  “Thank you.” She took them and held up the tee. “Pink?”

  Resettling himself on the bed, he cut into his steak. “For breast cancer awareness. All the guys wear it at certain events.”

  “Oh. I see.” She placed the clothing beside her on the bed. “That’s nice of you.”

  “My mother survived cancer,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to see any other woman go through that.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He lifted a piece of steak to his mouth. “She’s okay now. But it was scary there for a while.”

  They ate in silence until Ava glanced at the clock. Eleven. Her show would be starting any second. Her stomach cramped. Penny would be furious with her. So much so she may never get her job back. If she did, she’d likely have to be an understudy. With a heavy sigh, she pushed her half-eaten salad aside and went to the window.

  She pulled the curtain back and looked outside. As her eyes adjusted to the dark parking lot she saw all varieties of vehicles.

  Including a black Town Car.

  Letting go of the curtain as if it burned her, she jumped back.

  “What?” Levi asked.

  She shivered and rubbed her arms. “I think Dario’s here.”

  “No way.” He stood and moved to the window. When he pulled the curtain back, she stood on tiptoes and looked over his shoulder. He smelled like cedar, reminding her of the trees around her little mountain hometown.

  “See it? There. Between the SUV and the white Camry.”

  “Yeah. I see it.” He dropped the curtain and stepped back. “It’s his car.”

  “How did he track us here?” She looked around for an escape. Of course there was none. Only the second-story window and the front door.

  “It’s not hard to find rodeo cowboys in this town. Look for the hotel closest to the complex with a bunch of pickups parked outside. Mine is especially easy to spot with my license plate.”

  “What’s on it?”

  “‘Levi.’”

  How had she not noticed that? Good lord. He might as well have attached a GPS system for the mobster to follow. “What do we do now?”

  “You’re staying put. I’m going out there and kicking that guy’s ass. I’m tired of running like a prairie dog from an eagle.” He sat and pulled on his boots.

  For a moment, she wanted to giggle at his get-up—sweats tucked into tall cowboy boots. When he reached for his hat, she grabbed his wrist. “No. Please.” He put his hands on her shoulders to move her aside, and she wrapped her fingers in his t-shirt. “I don’t want you to go.”

  His eyes, when they met hers, were filled with anger. As he continued to stare into hers, the anger dissipated and something else took its place. Before she could process it, he dipped his head. Startled, she froze as his lips moved over hers.

  Firm, determined, sexy.

  The words described the man himself.

  Her mouth opened and took his seeking tongue inside. She flattened her palms against his chest and his nipples hardened under her hands. Her own nipples peaked, ached. His tongue invaded her mouth, gave her a thorough tasting. He cupped her butt, pulling her tight against the evidence of his craving. She dampened.

  Ava moaned as white-hot heat flashed through her. Her rule went off like a neon light in her head and she pushed away from him. “Stop.”

  “Aw, darlin’.” He looked like she’d kicked his dog. “Don’t quit on me now. It was just getting interesting.”

  “We agreed. No sex.”

  “Sorry. I lost my head there for a minute.” He stepped back, and the outline of his impressive desire obvious in his clingy sweats almost changed her mind. Almost. Then reality crashed over her. Her last date was trying to kill her.

  “We better figure out what to do about Dario, or we’re going to be trapped here for a very long time,” she said.

  He grinned. “I can think of worse things than being stuck in here with you.”

  “Be serious.”

  “I’m serious as a heart attack.” He placed his hand on his chest.

  She found herself returning his grin. What about this man made her feel so good? And, more importantly, safe? “Well, I have to get out of here and somehow try to salvage my career.”

  Without another word, he picked up his Stetson and placed it on his head. He shrugged into his jacket. “Do not leave this room. I’ll be back.”

  ~*~

  Levi slipped out of the hotel room, ignoring Ava’s protests. He strode down the hall with determination. For a while, the cat-and-mouse game had been fun. Leaving Vegas with his friends had been a kick in the Wranglers, but he’d had enough of Dario Abruzzo’s crap. Levi planned to show the mobster just how fed up he’d become.

  He pretended not to see two women take in his outfit and smile at each other. Sure, he looked ridiculous, but who cared? He had more important things to worry about than what he wore. Letting himself out the side exit door, he wove his way through the rows of cars, his mind on reaching the Town Car.

  Once he sighted it, he stopped and weighed his options. Taking a baseball bat to the car crossed his mind, but he had no desire to go to jail when he wasn’t the criminal. Jot down the license plate and go to the Denver police? For what? A guy coincidently staying in the same hotel as him? If they did believe Ava’s story, would they send her back to Vegas and the corrupt cop they’d seen there?

  For the time being, he’d wait and see if Abruzzo came out of the hotel. He might see things a little differently if he came in contact with Levi’s hard fist to his nose. Levi crossed his arms and leaned against the trunk of the car. If it took all night, he’d stay until Abruzzo came outside.

  His butt had about frozen to the car when a woman in a long fur coat approached. Upon spotting him she stopped. “Why are you there?”

  Levi glanced at the long black car. “This is yours?”

  “Yes. But I think you know that.” She moved close and the overwhelming scent of her dark perfume surrounded him, gagged him. “I think you were waiting for me to come out.”

  “Sorry, ma’am, that’s not the case. I thought this belonged to a friend of mine. Name’s Dario Abruzzo. Know him?” Was it his imagination, or did guilt flash across her face?

  “Of course not. I already told you it’s mine.” She touched his sleeve. “We could discuss it over a drink?”

  “I’m sorry. I’m looking for someone.” Levi touched the brim of his hat and stepped away. “Excuse me, ma’am. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”

  “Of course.”

  With no other option he could see, Levi nodded again and stepped away. When he reached the corner h
e stopped and watched the woman get in the car and pull away. “Guess I’m the fool.”

  He glanced up at his window and saw a crack of light. Ava. Was she all right? He’d been gone a long time.

  He passed Drew carrying a bucket of ice in the downstairs hallway. “Have you seen any sign of Ava?”

  Drew shook his head. “Not since we all went into our rooms.”

  Suddenly very worried, Levi broke into a jog.

  Chapter Five

  Dario paced around the penthouse suite of the Hyatt Regency as he waited for Tiffany to bring him news. She’d been gone over an hour. By now she ought to have everything he’d sent her to learn. Where Ava was, exactly, the cowboy’s name, and what room they were in. He didn’t relish getting rid of Ava, but it didn’t break his heart either. With her being a showgirl, he’d expected something a lot hotter and a lot more experienced in bed. To his deep dismay, she’d been an innocent. He liked his girls a little more skilled in pleasing a man.

  The cowboy Ava was running with—he was another matter. Dario would relish tearing him apart, limb by limb. He’d stepped into something that was none of his business. He should have thrown her out when Ava leaped into his truck. Not only driving away with her, but surrounding her with his friends had earned him a death sentence.

  The minute Tiffany let herself into the suite Dario grabbed her arm and dragged her to the sofa. He shoved her down and leaned close to her face. “Took you long enough. What did you find out?”

  She licked her lips. “I found Ava. She’s in room 212. All those cowboys took almost every room on the floor.”

  He gave her a little shake. “What’s the cowboy’s last name?”

  “I don’t know,” she said in her baby voice. “The desk clerk wouldn’t tell me.”

  “You asked the front desk?” Dario wanted to shake her, but it would probably rattle what little brains she had loose. “What were you thinking? That clerk, if he has any sense, will tell Ava and her cowboy friend someone was asking about him and tip them off. Why didn’t you find one of those cowboys and ask them instead?”

  “I talked to Levi,” she said. “He was leaning on your car when I came out of the hotel.”

  Dario stared at her in amazement. “What did you say?”

  She pouted. “I tried to get him to take me to his room, but he refused.”

  “Are you stupid?” He tapped her temple with his fingers. “Scratch that. You’re the dumbest broad ever. He has Ava up there, remember? Why would he want you?” She flinched, but he continued to rant. “You had him in the palm of your hand and you let him slip away. I ought to kill you and dump your body alongside theirs.”

  She slid out of the fur. The skimpy sequined dress she wore barely covered her breasts or barely there undies. “I’m sorry, baby. I’ll do better next time.”

  “You better,” he snarled, “because this is your last chance.”

  She slipped one strap off her shoulder and then the other. Leaning back so her breasts were under his nose, she said, “I will. I promise.”

  He reached for his zipper. “We’ll see.”

  ~*~

  Ava sat on the edge of the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest, biting her lip. “Did you see Dario?”

  Levi shook his head. “No. False alarm. Just some girl.”

  Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Ava said, “What girl?”

  He shrugged. “Some tall blonde. Talked in a whispery baby voice.”

  “Oh, no.” Ava fell back on the bed, hugging her pillow. “Did you tell her anything?”

  “No. Why?

  Her breathing came fast. “Because that sounds like Tiffany Burrows. She’s one of the dancers in my show. She was always in the middle, between a brunette and an African-American girl.”

  “Yeah, I guess I kind of remember her.” Levi picked up his half-eaten slice of Texas toast and munched on it. “Why would she be here? You think she came with Abruzzo?”

  “They’ve been dating,” Ava said. “That’s who Dario replaced me with. I’m sure he brought her as an extra pair of eyes to look for us.”

  “Abruzzo’s an idiot,” Levi said. “He’s proved it over and over. But that dimwitted bottle blonde instead of you tops the stupid list.”

  Something warm and fuzzy surrounded Ava’s heart. Did he mean it? Most men found the Marilyn Monroe wannabe sexy as hell. Tiffany had never been at loss for male companionship. When Dario spotted her, he, too, couldn’t date her fast enough. “It just means we’re in more danger because Tiffany’s seen me in street clothes and with no makeup. She’ll know me anywhere.”

  “I’m going to put them off the track a little bit.” He picked up his phone and dialed. “Hey, Trav. I know it’s late. Sorry. Hey, can you bring me one of the ranch trucks to drive for a week or so? Could you get Paco to follow you in and drive you home? Yeah. I’m fine. I just want to let my truck sit for a while. I’m in room 212 of the Sheraton. See you tomorrow afternoon. Thanks, buddy.”

  He hung up. “My brother’s going to bring us one of the ranch trucks.”

  “I hate involving your family in my mess.” Ava sat up, still hugging the pillow.

  “You didn’t. I did.” Levi kicked off his boots. “Laying a false scent is the best way I can think of to throw off wolves.”

  “You think driving a different truck will throw them off?” Ava stood, dropped the pillow and went to the window, but didn’t pull the curtain aside. “If they’re watching us it’s going to be hard to get away without them seeing, even in a different truck.”

  “Unless they’re going to take turns sitting up all night keeping watch, we can slip by,” Levi said. “And I doubt very much that’s going to happen with a mobster dragging along a pampered princess.”

  Did he think she was pampered, too? Too sheltered to think? “The thing is, Tiffany’s used to staying up all night.” Ava hated to remind him of this, but it was true most showgirls rarely went to bed before dawn.

  He frowned. “You think they’re going to sit out there and watch every exit? Around the clock?”

  “It’s possible,” she said. “But they can’t watch every door at all times.”

  He grinned. “Especially if a bunch of cowboys leave at the same time through a lot of places. I’ll be right back.”

  Ava spotted the pink tee. Maybe a hot bath would help relax her. She hurried into the bathroom. After stripping, she stepped into the oversized tub. She shampooed with the bottle the hotel provided and twisted her long hair into a knot on top of her head. The hot water felt wonderful, and for the first time in almost twenty-four hours she began to wind down. The kink in her neck loosened a little and the muscles in her stomach unclenched.

  “Ava? You in here?” Levi called from the other side of the door.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “Just making sure you’re okay. “Fine.”

  He moved away from the door.

  She slipped nose deep into the water and closed her eyes. Almost completely waterlogged and nearly asleep, she pushed out of the tub. Wrapping in one of the skimpy hotel towels, she dried her hair with the provided blow drier. Finally, she slipped Levi’s t-shirt over her head. It hung to mid-thigh and the sleeves hit below her elbow. Good enough for a nightgown. Tomorrow she’d get Tessa to take her shopping for some new outfits.

  Levi had stretched out on his bed, hands behind his head. His gaze, when it settled on her, lit up. “I like my clothes on you.”

  She glanced down. “Thanks. But I’d rather wear my own.”

  “That’s too bad, because I have something for you.” He reached for something next to him. He held a folded pair of Wranglers, a western shirt and a Stetson. “Try these on to see if they fit.”

  She took the garments. “Why?”

  “Because we’re going to leave here in the morning with you posing as a cowboy.” He looked at her bare legs. “If we can make you look like a man, that is. I’m not sure that’s possible, though.”

  “Whose are t
hese?” She shook the jeans loose and held them to her waist. They looked long enough. The blue and green striped shirt appeared brand new.

  “Mine.”

  She found something tangled up in the clothes and held it up. “What’s this? An Ace bandage? What for?”

  “To make your”—he nodded at her chest—“look like a guy’s.”

  Heat flashed up her neck and face. “You’re telling me I have to tape myself down? And pretend to be a man to get out of here?”

  “I think it’s our best plan.” For once he seemed serious.

  She drew a deep breath. “Okay.”

  He motioned to the black Stetson on the bed. “Try on my hat.”

  “Okay.” She picked it up and placed it on her head. It slipped down over her eyes. “A little big, but if I put my hair up, I think it’ll work.”

  “Looks good on you.” His voice was husky. Sexy.

  Tipping up the brim, she peered at him. Lust, pure and uncut, rested in his eyes. Wearing his hat and t-shirt, almost bare underneath, she had felt less exposed in one of her stage outfits. This time it was her heart on display, not her body. She took the hat off and dropped it on the nearby chair. “Aren’t you tired? I’m exhausted.”

  The truth was her pulse pounded like a greyhound’s after a race, and her nerves jumped under her skin. Levi was too close, too sexy and entirely too dangerous. Not physically hazardous like Dario, but treacherous to her heart. She instinctively knew he wasn’t the keeping kind.

  Keep him?

  She couldn’t get back to her real life fast enough. And that didn’t include Levi Callahan. The thought depressed her. She turned back the covers and crawled in between the sheets. “Good night.”

  “Sleep tight,” he replied, and turned off the light.

  Although worn out, Ava couldn’t sleep. She tossed and turned and twisted up in the blankets then kicked them off. Her thoughts turned to Dario. How had she misread him so badly? At first, he’d been kind, attentive. A perfect date. But there had always been an element about him that unsettled her.

  Breaking it off with him hadn’t been as ugly as she feared. He seemed to take it okay. But then he began showing up at her performances. She’d often see him before or after a show. All this time he’d been stalking a man, the one he killed, and not her?