Страница 74 из 95
Mark Bale proved to be the exception to the boyfriend rule. He’d dated Melanie nine months before Miles Talbot did. He lived in the city and he agreed to meet Nick at a bar on the Embarcadero.
“Did you ever get a visit from her brother?”
Bale turned his nose up. “Not really. He called me once but that was about it. He tried some line with me but I didn’t pay much attention.”
“So, he didn’t scare you off?”
“No.”
“Then why’d you break up with her?”
“Why’s this so important to you?”
“Indulge me,” Nick said. “Call it a commitment thing.”
Bale gri
If he meant made him fall in love, then yes. Nick gri
“If you want the God’s honest truth, the reason Mel and I didn’t last was the plain fact that she got weird. I was ready to settle down, but then the vibe changed. I didn’t like it, so I called it quits.”
Nick’s roommate yelled out, “Phone.”
Nick answered it.
“Good, I’m glad you’re in,” Jamie said.
“What do you want?”
“Melanie decided we should have a night out. I’ve got reservations for three at One Market for Thursday at eight.”
“Okay.”
“I’d appreciate if it you didn’t make it.”
“I would hate to disappoint Melanie.”
“It would be the kinder thing to do.”
Nick ignored Jamie’s request and met them at the restaurant. Melanie’s face lit up when she saw him approach the table, but Jamie just scowled. Nick kissed Melanie and shook hands with Jamie. To Nick’s surprise and relief, Jamie chose to keep the di
After they finished their entrées, Melanie excused herself and retreated to the restroom. The two men in her life watched her go.
“I told you not to come,” Jamie said. “This would be a good time to leave. I’ll provide excuses.”
“You don’t get it, do you? I’m here for the long haul.”
“Haven’t I shown you what’ll happen to you?”
“Jamie, I have enough on you to go to the cops right now.”
Jamie smirked.
“I know about the others. All the way from Mikey Pryce.”
That sent Jamie’s smirk ru
“I don’t want to turn you in because Melanie means so much to me, so I’ll give you a break. You leave now and I don’t just mean the restaurant. I’m talking about the city, the state, the country, I don’t care. Just go. Leave us in peace. I’ll make excuses for you.”
Jamie picked up his glass and polished off the rest of his wine. “I can’t do that.”
“Then this one is going to get messy.”
“I think you’re right.”
Melanie rejoined them. “You two seem to be getting on like a house on fire.”
“Truer words were never said,” Jamie remarked. His eyes sparkled with the irony of Melanie’s statement.
“We’ve got so much in common.” Nick reached over and kissed Melanie. “Like you.”
When the check came, a brief fight over who would pay for the bill ensued. Jamie won. Nick couldn’t help but feel he’d been provided his last meal. While Jamie waited for the waiter to return with his credit card and receipt, Nick took his chance.
“I’ll check in with the valets for our cars.” He snatched up Jamie’s ticket stub.
“That’s okay.”
“No, I insist. Join me, Mel?” He forced the issue by holding out her coat.
Jamie fumed as Nick walked Melanie out. The valet approached them on the street, but Nick waved him away.
“What’s going on?” Melanie asked.
“Three’s a crowd. We need some alone time.” Nick smiled. “I have a surprise.”
They crossed the street over to Nick’s car. He’d gotten lucky and snagged a parking spot directly across the restaurant. He gu
“I feel so bad,” Melanie said. “Where are we going?”
“Don’t ask questions. You’ll spoil the surprise.”
He headed out of the city and across the Bay Bridge. When he reached Berkeley, he pointed the car in the direction of the marina. The place was deserted. The restaurants had closed for the night. If it hadn’t been for the street lighting, the marina would have been in total darkness. He parked in the red zone fronting the pier.
“What are we doing here?” Melanie asked.
“You’ll see. Come on.”
He came around to her side of the car and opened the door for her. He took her hand and led her onto the pier, then guided her toward the streetlamp at the end of it.
“I know we haven’t been dating long,” Nick began, “but I feel I’ve known you all my life.”
She squeezed his hand. “You’re very sweet.”
With every step they took, he cataloged his affection for her. His outpourings left her speechless. She never interrupted. She just listened and that was good. Her silence gave him the courage for what he had to do. When they reached the end of the pier, he released her hand and turned to face her. He looked into her eyes and his throat closed up.
“C’mon. Don’t stop now,” she encouraged. “What is it?”
Out in the bay, a buoy chimed. The water slapped against the pier.
He needed encouragement to finish this, to go all the way, and he got it. A racing engine and squealing tires cut through the calm. Jamie had caught up with him. Nick thought he’d spotted Jamie’s Acura on the freeway. He’d hoped for a longer lead. It didn’t matter. Jamie was too late.
“Melanie, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“That’s why I wanted to give you this.”
Nick reached inside his pocket. A distant voice cried out but he and Melanie ignored it. The moment was all that counted. He produced his gift, a small box containing a ring. He fell to one knee.
“Will you marry me?”
“Stop,” Jamie cried out. His feet pounded on the wooden planking.
“Oh, Nick, you shouldn’t have.”
“Why?” Nick asked.
“I can’t.”
“You can. Forget Jamie. Forget everything he’s done. Just think about us.”
“I’m sorry, Nick.” Melanie turned away from him.
Jamie cried out again.
Damn him, Nick thought. That son of a bitch wouldn’t win. He jumped to his feet and grabbed Melanie’s arm to prevent her from leaving. She whirled on him. He didn’t see the switchblade she’d removed from her purse until she plunged it into his stomach. Confusion dulled his pain. She jerked the blade free and his legs went out from under him.
“Why?” Nick asked, his words weak in his throat.
Jamie caught up a moment later. He fell to his knees at Nick’s side to examine the wound. “Not again,” he murmured.
“Not again?”
Nick looked straight at Melanie. Her gaze was glassy, absent, and a stiffness had overcome her. She was a million miles away from this.
“Nick, why didn’t you listen to me?” Jamie said. “I tried to warn you. I did everything I could to protect you.”
“You made me think it was you.”
“It was easier that way. I didn’t want you thinking it was her. She’s not a bad person. She’s just damaged.”
“What are you talking about?” Nick tried to move, but the pain in his abdomen stopped him cold.
“Our father.” Jamie tried to apply pressure to the wound, but blood oozed between his fingers and Nick groaned. “He loved her. Loved her too much. Loved her so much he ruined her. You must have noticed she never talks about him and has no pictures of him in the condo.”
It started sinking in. “She killed Mikey Pryce.”
“And all the others. Father was the first.”
The pain in his heart matched the pain in his stomach. “I don’t understand. What did I do wrong?”