Wine, Tarts & Sex

Fifteen

“I so appreciate your understanding,” Janie murmured, lifting her eyes to Roman, hoping she was properly conveying a look of tender regard and gratitude.

Roman smiled at her drama. “Just for the record, my motives aren’t completely altruistic.”

“I didn’t expect they were.” Her lashes fluttered demurely before rising to frame a coquettish gaze. “If there’s anything at all you want from me, just let me know.”

He laughed. “Cut the theatrics, Janie. We’re both way past those games.”

She pouted prettily. “But I truly mean it, Roman. Sincerely. ”

He wasn’t about to say something rude when he wasn’t entirely sure why he was doing what he was doing. Nor how long he’d continue operating outside Leo’s jurisdiction. “I still might take you back to New York,” he warned.

She knew better, even if he didn’t. She had no intention of going back to New York. But rather than argue uselessly, she smiled. “I understand. I have no expectations one way or the other.”

“Just so everything is clear.”

“Perfectly. Although, I know there’s another woman involved with Leo, so I want you to know where I stand. I’ll go to the mat before I let some strange woman raise my child. Just so everything is clear,” she mimicked.

He smiled faintly. “Got it.”

“And I’m not stupid like Lisa.”

“No one’s as stupid as Lisa.”

“Anyway, thanks for the reprieve, however long,” she noted. “And while you’re here, I was thinking maybe we’d have time to-” Roman cut her off with a raised hand.

Pulling out his phone from his pocket, he flipped it open. “I’m listening.”

“You’re gonna get a call from Leo. He’s barking orders as usual. Let me know where you are when you get the chance.” His assistant, Vinnie, never minced words.

“Will do.” Roman shut the phone but kept it in his hand. “Leo’s about to call. I’ll take the cell off vibrate and put it on speakerphone for your edification,” he added with a grin.

Janie wrinkled her nose. “Hearing him will ruin my day.”

“Better to hear him than see him,” Roman brusquely declared. When the anticipated ring occurred, Roman answered. “Morning, Leo. How’s it going?”

“Where the fuck are you?” Leo bellowed, his thunderous voice rending the hushed, honeysuckle-scented air.

“Pretty much nowhere at the moment. I’m lost in a corn-field. ”

“What the fuck?” Another barrage of invective ravaged the morning calm. “Why in hell did the bitch run to ground in the country?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’m working on it.”

“Well, work harder, dammit! I want results! I want my son back! ASAP! Do you fucking understand?”

“Tone it down, Leo,” Roman said, soft as silk. “You don’t pay me enough to take crap from you.”

“Sorry. No offense, okay?” A rare sycophantic note briefly colored Leo’s voice before his tone shifted back to its normal blare. “But I want my son back sooner rather than later! The bitch can’t hide forever! Goddamn it! Find her!”

“As soon as I know something, I’ll give you a call.” Unruffled, Roman gave away nothing.

“If you need more money, just say so. My kid is worth any price-you know that. Call me-day or night. And fucking hurry!”

The line went dead.

“He never says good-bye,” Janie muttered. “The prick.”

“If it’s any consolation, he’s not a happy man.” Leaning back against the swing, Roman slipped the phone into his jacket pocket and stretched out his long legs in a lazy sprawl. “The guy’s gonna have a major stroke someday.”

“I didn’t have a clue what he was really like.” Janie grimaced. “I didn’t hear him scream until after Matt was born. Believe me, it was a major shock.”

“He must have been on his best behavior for quite awhile.”

“Almost a year,” she replied. “Until he went ballistic that first time, I’d believed him when he said his previous wives had been bitches from hell. All I’d ever experienced from him was kindness and an interest in pleasing me. But when he went Jekyll and Hyde on me, I knew I’d made a terrible mistake.”

“The three wives before you probably came to the same conclusion.”

She shook her head. “If only I’d known, as they say. I thought at first I might have said or done something to initiate his rage. When the tirades only escalated, I knew it had nothing to do with me. Mazie stepped in at that point and helped run interference.”

“Your housekeeper.”

“She was my absolute savior.”

“I interviewed her, along with the rest of the staff. She told me to go to hell.”

Janie smiled. “I can always depend on Mazie to protect me. And perhaps you as well?” She gazed up at him from under her lashes. “Possibly?”

His brows rose. “Anything’s possible.”

“Seriously, you can’t really consider bringing Matt back to a man like Leo.”

“That’s not my bailiwick. I’m no psychologist.”

“Neither am I, but I know what’s good for my son.”

“I can’t make any promises. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Janie touched his arm lightly. “I’m grateful for any consideration you might give to me.” But before she could elaborate further, a Federal Express truck came roaring up the driveway, and her expression and demeanor instantly changed. “Oh, wonderful! It’s here! I probably should have mentioned that I took my Hockney portrait when I left,” she said in a rush. Leaping from the swing, she raced for the stairs.

“So I can expect another irate call from Leo.” Roman was fast on his feet for a big man. He caught up with Janie before she reached the stairs.

“I don’t think so. Leo doesn’t pay attention to paintings.” She smiled up at him. “And what good would my portrait be to the new Mrs. Rolf?”

Grand theft might be more of a problem than the new Mrs. Rolf, Roman thought. But then again, he hadn’t really expected a trouble-free assignment. “You’re gonna need some help with that thing,” Roman said. He’d seen the size of the full-length portrait at the apartment.

“Thanks, I do,” Janie cheerfully noted, waving at the FedEx driver as he came to a stop at the edge of the lawn. “I already told Liv about the painting, and she said something about her barn,” Janie added, descending the stairs. “I’m guessing there’s plenty of room for it there.”

“The driver can swing over to the barn.”

“How clever,” she brightly said, offering him a dazzling smile. “You are, you know. And good-looking, too.”

He frowned. “Don’t. Okay?”

“I don’t care. It’s true.”

“Yeah, yeah.” He raised his voice so the driver could hear. “Take it to the barn. Over there.” Roman pointed. “Come on, Janie.” He held out his hand. “And no more bullshit, okay? I’ve heard it all. I’m here just getting the lay of the land. So let’s just talk about the weather or something.”

“Whatever you say,” Janie replied sweetly.

“And how about a normal tone of voice,” he said with a grin.

“Isn’t it a lovely day in the country?” Janie smiled. “How’s that?”

Roman surveyed the green, rolling countryside and exhaled softly. “It is a damned lovely day. And you know what else? It’s fucking peaceful.”

For a man who had seen all there was to see of the sordid underbelly of the world, perhaps he, more than most, could appreciate serenity.