Part 15 (1/2)

”New stuff,” the driver added in a distinct Bronx accent. ”Prime stuff.”

”So where to first?” Cole asked.

”A shop in the fifteenth arrondiss.e.m.e.nt.” Johnny gave the address.

Extra firepower? Had she heard right? ”Did he say extra firepower?” Nicky murmured, hitting Johnny on the arm just to make sure he was paying attention.

”You won't be in any danger,” Johnny replied, intent on unzipping a small duffel bag he'd pulled out from under Cole's seat.

”Then why do you need WEAPONS?” she gasped. Cars with guns in bags under the seats were way the h.e.l.l outside her normal operating zone.

”Relax.” Johnny glanced up and gave her a rea.s.suring smile. ”It's just insurance.” He sat up, a deadly looking handgun held ligh tl y in his grasp.

It didn't help her peace of mind when he slipped out the clip, checked it, and shoved it back into place. It really, really didn't help when he bent over again and pulled out another smaller handgun.

”This is nice. Is it custom?” The weapon shone in his palm with a jewel-like, poisonous gleam.

”Beretta's newest model,” the driver noted. ”I couldn't pa.s.s it up.”

”Who could. It's a beauty.”

In her world, beauty was defined in terms of nonlethal objects. She was truly out of her element. In fact, she was so far outside anything remotely recognizable that she felt as though she might melt into a peddle of fear where she sat. Like now-this second.

”Hey,” Johnny whispe red, as th ough he was psychic. ”It's okay. Don't freak. We're going to two chocolate shops, there'll be lots of people around, you couldn't be safer.”

”If it's so safe, why does your ex need rescuing?”

”She probably doesn't. She probably just thinks she does.” And that might even be true, although Lisa's boyfriends-zoned out or not-gave him pause. But he wasn't going into any detail about possible risks because he needed Nicky to ask questions once they reached the shops. She had plenty of protection between the three of them anyway. And it was broad daylight.

Dropping the smaller handgun into his jacket pocket, he shoved the other one back under Cole's seat. Then, he took Nicky's hand and held it the rest of the way to their first stop, making casual conversation as though the subject of guns and hit men had never come up. He even made her laugh once or twice before they reached their destination.

Unfortunately, at the sight of the dingy neighborhood, low-rent government office buildings across the street, and the battered white door before which they eventually stood-unmarked and without a handle or bell to ring-Nicky's apprehension returned.

”Are you sure you're at the right place?” she whispered. It didn't look like a chocolate shop to her. There was no sign, no windows, not a clue that anything existed behind the crusty facade.

”We'll find out,” Johnny said and banged his fist on the peeling paint.

The door opened a few inches, and the whiff of warm, fresh chocolate practically knocked them over.

At least the chocolate part was right, Nicky thought, feeling a modic.u.m less anxious.

After she asked for the owner by name, a few moments later, a slender, young man with a shock of black hair appeared from behind one of two gleaming stainless-steel machines that were spreading chocolate in a thin coating over every imaginable filling. Trays of delicate chocolates were everywhere.

The sight of so many bonbons reminded Nicky of the I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel were working on the candy conveyor belt and stuffing chocolates into their mouths and pockets as fast as they could. Definitely a thought, she reflected, her fingers unconsciously flexing, her saliva glands ramping up into overdrive.

She even forgot about possible danger for a moment with her senses a.s.sailed by such a largesse of chocolate.

As the man approached, Johnny broke into Nicky's blissful reverie by saying, ”Ask him if a woman or two women and two men were here recen tl y? One would have been blond. He might even know Lisa from the movies. They were coming here for some special chocolate order.”

Nicky tamped down the sudden fear that rea.s.serted itself at Johnny's words and quickly translated his queries.

”Non, non.” The shop owner shook his head and proceeded to explain in a torrent of French.

Johnny glanced from one to the other until the man finished. ”Lisa was here?” Her name had come up several times.

”They were all here, but he told them he couldn't fill their order,” Nicky interpreted. ”He has more customers than he needs. And he didn't like the mens' att.i.tude. He's an artist, he says, not a shopkeeper, and he grew up in the rough part of town, so he can't be intimidated. He told them to take their business elsewhere. Actually, he told them to shove it.”

Johnny's brows rose. ”Brave man,” he murmured. ”But just in case they show up again, ask him to give me a call.” Johnny handed the man his card.

Another rapid-fire conversation in which the Frenchman sneered a reply even Johnny could understand. Then with a beaming smile and the words U2-clear in any language-he proceeded to hug Johnny and kiss him on both cheeks.

Whisking a large red box from a nearby shelf filled with red boxes, the chocolatier handed it to Johnny with a sweeping bow. Glancing at Nicky, he spoke again in rapid French.

”The chocolates are for you. He's making these for some prince, but he wants you to have this box. Or take them all if you want, he says.” Nicky grinned. ”He thinks you're real special.”

Johnny took the offered box, smiling. ”Thank him and tell him we appreciate his information. Then cut it short. We have to go, babe. ASAP.”

Shortly after, they were being escorted out of the factory by one of only eleven chocolate specialists in recent years to have received the MOF (Meilleur Ouvrier de France-those most honored chefs and patissiers). They were also extended an effusive invitation to come back any time.

After more kissing of cheeks all around, they were finally back in the Mercedes.

”Dalloyau next,” Johnny instructed the driver. ”And Lisa better be there,” he grimly said. Because if she wasn't, he was out of options-and maybe patience, too. Who knew if this wild-goose chase was even for real?

Twenty-three.

In the course of their drive to Dalloyau, Nicky tried very hard not to give in to her weakness for chocolate. Especially at a time like this. They were on a serious rescue mission, not to mention she'd almost freaked out only minutes before. Her cravings should have been irrelevant. It was probably disrespectful to even consider them at a time like this. But then they got stuck in traffic, and everyone started swearing. As if she wasn't stressed enough, what with guns and hit squads.

Take a deep breath. Focus. Think of ocean waves was.h.i.+ng the sh.o.r.e.

Yeah, right.

”Would you mind?” Nicky blurted out, pointing to the red box lying on the floor between them.

She got one of those blank looks like she might have if she'd asked when the rocket to the moon was lifting off. And then joy of joys, her question seemed to register.

”Sure. Go for it,” Johnny said.

Then he was off in some other dimension again, his gaze on the snarl of cars surrounding them in the traffic circle. Every driver was honking his horn and making lewd gestures, as if the din and acting out would unravel the gridlock.

Not that Nicky minded everyone's serious mind-set on the traffic. It allowed her an opportunity to open the box and offer obeisance to distinguished chocolate unheeded by those less discerning of its wonder. Plucking out a small round bonbon, she popped it into her mouth, letting her taste buds absorb the matchless flavor of chocolate nurtured by loving hands from plantation to finished product. OhmyG.o.d, it had a coconut center. That made it almost as good as s.e.x. Really. She'd given this considerable thought over the years. So stress wasn't her only excuse for eating chocolate. She had a boatload of reasons. The motto CHOCOLATE isn't just for BREAKFAST was prominently displayed on her fridge.

By the time the Mercedes broke free and was moving again, she'd sampled three exquisite chocolates and was luxuriating in gustatory bliss. ”Want one?” She offered the box to Johnny in one of those automatic gestures.

He glanced over, frowned, opened his mouth, shut it, then apparen tl y deciding to be polite, smiled. ”Not right now, but thanks.”

Oops. Clearly, he was distracted. As if she didn't know. ”Sorry,” she murmured. ”You must be really worried.”