Part 15 (1/2)
”Of course, but I thought you and Livy were staying close to the home front for the next little while.”
”Mmm.” She walked back to the table. ”Livy, have some milk and fruit with your roll, sweetie.”
Alexa ran the hem under the needle one final time and snipped the bobbin thread as she freed her new skirt from the sewing machine's arm. She nibbled her lip and eyed the denim, scrutinized the length before she pulled it on, snapped the b.u.t.ton, and zipped.
She hurried over to the three-sided mirror in Carol's beautiful sewing s.p.a.ce, which had a view of the bay, and swallowed as she studied her appearance. Abby was the designer in the family but she hadn't done half bad. The clinging white tank top with a plunging neckline left nothing to the imagination. Her tight jean skirt stopped three inches below her a.s.s cheeks. She'd used a heavy hand with the eyeliner and mascara, giving her lake-blue eyes a large, sooty look to play up the dark blond wig and add to the party-girl effect.
”Hopefully this works,” she muttered. While Olivia had taken her afternoon nap, Alexa studied pictures on Google Images, trying to determine what women wore out for a night of bar hopping and clubbing. She'd never done either. While her college roommates had partied, she'd busted her b.u.t.t to keep her scholars.h.i.+ps and worked at the library to send what money she could home for Gran's constant stream of medical bills.
She slid on her sandal-heels and scrutinized her face. There was no way she could be mistaken for Abby looking like this. She opened the door, peeked in the hall, and made a dash for the room she and Livy shared, closing herself in. She smiled down at her exhausted daughter and smoothed the sheet over her sprawled, sleeping form.
Bedtime had never been easier after the excitement of the day. Livy was typically a night owl, but not this evening. The afternoon boat ride had been a thrill for both of them. Alexa forgot how much she missed the wind in her face as the powerboat glided along the choppy water. Watching Olivia help Grampy steer the sweet watercraft had been such a special moment.
And the soft sh.e.l.l crab... Livy had her first taste when they docked at a local dining spot a few miles from the house. Alexa chuckled as she remembered how Livy's nose had wrinkled with her dislike, but the grilled hot dog and chocolate ice cream had gone down just fine.
Although their lives had been turned upside down, Alexa couldn't be sorry Livy was getting the opportunity to get to know the rest of her family. The Matthews were such good people.
A light knock sounded at the door. Alexa kissed Livy on the forehead and tucked her daughter's beloved stuffed frog back under her arm, then she grabbed her purse and turned. She took a deep breath as she smoothed down her skintight clothing and walked to the door. ”Here goes nothing,” she muttered and twisted the k.n.o.b.
”I'm going to head...” Jack's eyes went huge as he looked her up and down. ”What the h.e.l.l are you wearing?”
If she wasn't in for the fight of her life, she would've laughed at his shocked expression. ”My clubbing outfit.”
”Your-your what?”
”Shh.” She glanced over her shoulder, afraid they were going to wake Livy. She opened the bedroom door fully so George and Carol would hear Olivia if she called. Then she grabbed Jack's hand, pulling him down the hall as she continued. ”My clubbing outfit. I'm coming with you.”
He stopped short. ”No, you're not. We've talked about this.”
”You told me I wasn't going because Abby and I look too much alike. We don't anymore. I'm coming to help find my sister.”
”I also said this was too d.a.m.n dangerous. It's not happening.”
Her brows winged high. It was time for the big guns. ”You take me or I go myself.”
He smirked at the challenge. ”You don't know where I'm going.”
d.a.m.n. She hadn't thought of that. The argument was supposed to have ended with her threat. Now what? She shrugged, then began to rifle through her purse, searching for her phone. ”Where's my phone?”
He pulled her cell from his back pocket. ”I took it with me today-had the lab boys see if they could get a trace on the call from yesterday.”
”Did they?”
”No. Abby must've called from another burn phone.”
She swallowed the familiar taste of disappointment as she reached for her cell, more determined than ever to tag along.
Jack held it out of reach. ”Why do you want this?”
”Because I pay the bill.” She made another grab, but Jack moved again. ”Give me my phone, Jack.”
”Why?”
She steamed out a breath and glared. This was not going the way she planned. ”Because I'm calling a cab.”
Eyes hot, he shoved the cell in his back pocket and leaned close to her face. ”No f.u.c.king way.” He s.p.a.ced out each word on a dangerous whisper.
”Don't talk to me like that.” She shoved him. ”Get out of my way.” She stormed down the stairs.
”Where are you going?”
”I'll use one of the landlines. I'm sure if I ask a cabbie to take me to a strip club in Baltimore, I'll end up where I want to be.” Her stomach fluttered with unease. She didn't want to go without Jack, but pride pushed her on.
”d.a.m.n it, Alex. Why do you have to be so stubborn?” He followed behind.
A smug smile spread across her lips as she continued down the steps. Maybe all wasn't lost. She hurried in the den, and her smile disappeared when Carol gasped. Alexa wrinkled her nose as she looked at Jack's stunned and staring parents snuggled on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, a movie playing on the TV.
”Honey, what on earth?”
”Alex, wait a minute.” Jack hurried in after her. ”Excuse us,” he said as he pulled her into the living room. ”I want you to stay here.”
She shook her head and brushed at the strands of dark blond that stuck to her glossy lips. ”I can't.”
”Yes, you can. Go change into...clothes. Watch a movie with my parents.”
”I want to help, Jack. I need to.”
”I get that, but this is nowhere near safe. I've been straight with you from day one, and I'm telling you this is dangerous.”
”No more dangerous for me than you.”
Brow raised, he looked her up and down. ”You're playing with fire going anywhere dressed like that.”
”I'll fit right in. I researched my outfit online.”
”You-” His eyes softened as he smiled. ”You researched?”
She saw her opening and took his hand. ”Please, Jack. Please. I have to help Abby. I'm going crazy sitting here waiting for someone else to rescue my sister. I need to be able to tell myself each and every day that I've done something to try to bring her home. Would you be able to sit patiently by if someone had Will? Wouldn't you do anything for your brother?”
He closed his eyes and sighed. ”Low blow.”
”Whatever it takes, Jack. Please take me with you tonight.”
He stared at her, jaw clenched, breath steaming from his nose. ”You have to stay with me.”
Detecting a glimmer of hope, she yanked him into a hug. ”Thank you.”
He eased her back and ran his hands down her arms. ”I'm serious, Alex, right with me.”
”I'll be stuck like glue.” She hugged him again, her relief huge as she stared at him, eyes level in her heels. ”See? Like Elmer's.”