Inheriting Fear Page 14

  What the hell?

  Mya didn’t want anything to do with the Mason family or their multi-coloured pet. She ignored Blondie, hoping she’d go away.

  There was another knock and a whimper. Mya remembered crashing into the girl the other day, and curiosity got the better of her. Without turning the porch light on, she slid the two bolts aside and cracked the door open.

  “Stop banging. What do you want?”

  Blondie tried to push her way in, but Mya’s shoulder was against the door.

  “P-please let me in. He’s g-gonna k-kill me.”

  Even in the dim light the girl looked worse for wear. There was more damage than the cut cheek from the other night, and her eyelids had rolled wider than Holland blinds. This girl needed help.

  Mya stepped back and Blondie fell inside. Swiftly she turned, pushed the door shut, and slid the bolts into place. Wow, the girl must be in real trouble if she was prepared to be locked in with Mya.

  “What’s wrong—”

  “Shhh!” Blondie’s eyes darted back and forth in the narrow hall and rested on the bowl of knives; they couldn’t go any wider, but her pale face turned ashen.

  Mya assessed the bruise starting to blossom on the girl’s cheek. There was an assortment of welts and blood trickled into her eyebrow, presumably from a cut on her head.

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” she said, staying still and waiting to see what the girl did next.

  Blondie stared at Mya, hands clenched, body tense. Without warning she darted into the lounge room, turned off the reading lamp, and crouched by the window. With a shaking hand she lifted the side of the lace curtain enough to peer outside.

  Mya followed suit on other side of the window, not sure what or who they were looking for, but expecting a pimply, drugged-out boyfriend. She didn’t have to wait long. A dark figure loomed in the middle of the road. Massive hands shone a flashlight first on one side of the road and then the other. He checked front gardens and under bushes as he went. She remembered those huge hands as she prodded the still sore lump on the back of her head. Willy Mason was dangerous.

  The flashlight beam hit the front fence. Blondie whimpered and threw herself to the floor, knees pulled to her chest and hands over her ears. Without thinking Mya ducked away from the curtain. Great, now she was acting like a teenager pulling a prank and hiding in the bushes. She wasn’t big on hiding and she had business with Willy.

  Jumping to her feet, Mya watched the yellow beam of light bounce across her yard and linger on her front door. Her foot slid toward it.

  “Don’t!” Blondie’s bright blue eyes were glassy. “Please,” she whispered.

  Mya nodded. She stood to one side as Willy rechecked the front yard. Finally he moved on. Once the bobbing glow was out of sight, she sat on the floor and waited until the frightened girl was game enough to look at her.

  The streetlight caught a sheen on the girl’s eyes and, at first, she looked sheepish. Next she glanced toward the front door, as though she might bolt.

  “He’s gone for now.” Mya tried to put the girl at ease. It wouldn’t be safe for her outside with Willy looking. “What’s your name?”

  “Natalie.” The girl’s eyes narrowed beneath thick, smudged makeup.

  “Mya. So, why’s Willy after you?”

  Natalie’s bottom lip trembled. She wiped her eyes and long spiral earrings twirled beside her throat. A web of beaded bracelets jangled on her wrists as she got to her feet and headed for the hall.

  “There’s no guarantee he won’t be back,” Mya told her. “Why don’t you hang here for a while?”

  Natalie froze. Tailored navy slacks sat nicely on her slim figure, and a white and red babydoll top was complemented by red sandals. The girl might hang out with dubious folk, but she certainly had style.

  Mya imagined the teenager’s eyes were trained on the bowl of knives again. The girl wasn’t likely to trust the woman who beat up her friends, but Mya didn’t want Willy Mason getting his hands on her. She pulled herself off the floor and pretended not to notice Natalie flinch.

  “I won’t hurt you,” she repeated. “You want a cuppa?”

  Natalie went back to the window and lowered herself to the floorboards. Mya took that for a yes and headed for the kitchen.

  “He’ll kill me if he finds me,” Natalie whispered.

  Turning slowly so as not to spook her, Mya whispered, “I won’t let him get near you. Why did you knock on my door, anyway?”

  “I seen what you did to Paula and her boyfriend, and figured you’d protect me.”

  One of Mya’s eyebrows shot up. First the neighbours and now Natalie thought she could protect them. They were overly optimistic.

  “You can stay here tonight and we’ll figure something out in the morning.”

  A long breath huffed through the girl’s lips and she visibly sagged. “Why are you helping me? Paula and I were … mean to you in the park.”

  Mya considered carefully before answering. “I don’t like men who beat up women, and I don’t want to see anything bad happen to you. You oughta come along to one of my self-defense classes one day. They’re free.”

  “Yeah, I might.”

  Tap, tap, tap. They both jumped.

  There was the soft sound of feet shifting on the porch. Natalie huddled against the wall. Mya pressed a finger to her lips and crept to the edge of the curtain. Carefully, she prised it away from the window pane, just enough to see the outline of someone standing there—male, from the shape and black T-shirt. When he turned to scan the street, she saw a blond ponytail tied at the nape of his neck.

  “Luca.” She said it like an expletive.

  Natalie tilted her head in question and Mya shrugged. She sat on the edge of the couch in the dark. They could wait him out.

  There was a louder knock. “Mya, it’s Luca. Let me in.”

  There was only one thing he could want at that time of night, and it wasn’t going to happen. There were more strings attached to her morning romp with him than to a marionette.

  “Mya. I know you’re in there with one of the Masons. Can you please let me in?”

  A tiny pang in the centre of her chest brooded that he wasn’t there to see her. She frowned at Natalie and mouthed, “What does he want?”

  The girl shrugged. “How does he know I’m in here? Could be working with Willy.”

  The indignant look Luca would give that comment made Mya smile.

  “Remember, he’s the one who put Willy in hospital this week. Let’s go to the bathroom and get you cleaned up. He’ll piss off soon enough.”

  “Tell the girl I can help her.” Luca’s voice was soft. “I’m going to wait here until you open the door.” There was a sliding sound, followed by a long sigh.

  Mya crept closer to the door and listened to Luca’s steady breathing on the other side. Not so long ago it had been beside her ear, trickling down her neck. Its rhythm ignited a smouldering sensation in the pit of her stomach. The tips of her fingers slid down her bare arms with a feather-light touch, just like Luca’s balmy skin had slid across hers. A shiver of ecstasy trembled clean down her spine.

  “Maybe he can help,” Natalie suggested. “Let him in, will ya?”

  With a huff and head shake, Mya pulled the bolts back and wrenched the door open in a fluid movement. Luca must’ve been sitting against it, because he fell backward.

  Smiling up he said, “Nice to see you, too.”

  He did some kind of break-dance move where his legs kicked out and he was suddenly on his feet, inches in front of her. She grabbed a handful of his T-shirt and pushed him against the wall, causing the smile to slide right off his clean-shaven face.

  “What the hell do you want?” she growled.

  Luca’s hot breath cascaded across her face and raised the hairs on her arms. A light cinnamon scent came off his skin. His head tilted the tiniest bit toward her, and then he blinked.

  He slid from between the wall and her. “I saw the girl run do
wn the road and knock on your door.”

  The reason he’d been watching the street late at night from a dark house was definitely something they were going to discuss later. Right now she needed to put some space between them, so Mya headed to the kitchen, grabbing dirty dishes from the dining table on the way.

  As she filled the kettle, she could hear the front door lock and someone flop onto the couch. Neither Luca nor Natalie spoke.

  With three mugs of tea, a sugar canister, and a milk carton on a tray, she sauntered back into the room. Natalie was still crouched on the floor and Luca was watching her. Mya pushed a book and mail aside so there was space for the tray on the coffee table. Then she closed the block-out curtains and flicked the light on. Natalie blinked. The damage to her face looked worse in the bright light.

  Mya turned to glower at Luca. “So, why are you sticking your nose in where it’s not wanted again?”

  He poured milk into a mug of tea, looking as cool as a cucumber. “When I saw Willy Mason come down the street, I figured Natalie could use my help.”

  Mya stood with hands on hips. “Why do you think you can help her more than me? Because you’re a bloke?”

  “No.” He lowered his eyes and blew a thin stream of air across the surface of his tea. “Because I’m a cop.”

  Shit!

  Chapter 22

  Mya’s legs felt rubbery as she sank into a chair. Luca was a cop. No wonder he sized people up like he was suspicious. He was. She could usually pick law enforcement. He certainly had the arrogance, but coppers didn’t beat up neighbours.

  The intensity she previously noticed had turned to concern as he focused on Natalie.

  The girl nursed her tea like a security blanket. “You’re the cop who came to the door today, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. Natalie, if Willy has done something to you, I can help.”

  Mya stewed as she stared at him. He had lied to her. Well, not an outright lie, but a falsehood by omission. He’d had plenty of opportunities to tell her. Of course, there was the covert look and whispered conversation with Officer Herd out front of her house the other night, but it didn’t make sense. Why didn’t Luca just pull out his badge and put a stop to the fight with Willy? It looked like the bastard deliberately deceived her and had an ulterior motive.

  Typical bloke.

  “I can’t go back there, ever.” Natalie was teary again.

  “How old are you, Natalie?” he asked.

  “Nineteen.”

  “You’re old enough to live wherever you choose, but I can’t help if you don’t tell me what happened. Where are your family?”

  Natalie shook her head. “Dead when I was eight. I lived with Nana Hilda for a while, but when she got Alzheimer’s, I got put in foster care.”

  Luca put his elbows on knees, his undivided attention on Natalie. He kept his voice low and soothing. “I’m sorry to hear that. So, how did you meet the Masons?”

  “I met Paula at school and her family was nice to me.” She shrugged, her voice barely a whisper as she continued. “I did a jewelry-making course and sold the stuff at markets, but I couldn’t get enough cash. When I turned eighteen, Paula said I could live with her. I thought the Masons were my friends.”

  Luca sipped his tea. “What happened after I came to see Willy today?”

  “I was in the front room, and I heard what you said. I knew that job was too good to be true! Willy said it was a sweet deal and he needed someone like me.” Natalie’s voice choked and she sunk closer to the floor.

  “What was the sweet deal?” Luca’s hands reached forward.

  “He said rich, old ladies worried that someone would mug ’em and steal their jewelry, so they paid him to get exact replicas. That way they could still wear the stuff, but the real McCoy would be locked away. It made sense.”

  Luca scribbled on his notepad. “Did he bring the jewelry to you?”

  “Nah, he brought photos and measurements. I swear I didn’t know what he was gonna do with it. Then I heard what the lady cop said about stuff being stolen , and I knew right away what he was doing with my jewelry. I said I didn’t wanna do it no more and he just … flipped.” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  Luca looked pleadingly at Mya. “Can she stay here tonight?”

  “I’ve already offered.”

  With Natalie still snivelling, Mya led her down the hall to the bathroom and ran warm water onto a flannel. “Here, you can clean yourself up, and I’ll get you something to wear. The next door on your left when you’ve finished.”

  It wasn’t possible to find pajamas where there weren’t any, so Mya dug a pair of cotton shorts and a tank top out of her drawers and tossed them on the spare bed. By the time she’d put a glass of water on the bedside table and set the digital clock, Natalie stood in the doorway.

  Mya gave the girl what she hoped was a reassuring smile. “I’ll leave you to it. Help yourself to breakfast in the morning.”

  “Thanks,” Natalie whispered. “I don’t know why you’re doing this, but he would’ve got me if you didn’t let me in.”

  “Willy Mason is going to get what’s coming to him.”

  She pulled the door closed and found Luca in the lounge, running his finger along the spines of her book collection. “She’s in bed now, so you can leave.”

  “I’ve got déjà vu. Weren’t you trying to kick me out the last time I was in your house?” He grinned.

  “You’re slow to take a hint, aren’t you?” She tried to outstare him.

  “You send mixed messages,” he retaliated.

  He had her there.

  “Did I do something to offend you?”

  “What gives you that idea?” She laced her voice with as much sarcasm as possible.

  “Well, you’re hostile, although I’m gathering you’re equally charming to everyone.”

  “No, you haven’t offended me. I expect all men to lie and sneak around, so it’s no big deal.”

  He stepped closer. Mya straightened her spine.

  “It’s a bit arrogant to lump me with all men. You don’t even know me.”

  “Arrogance is thinking you can follow me around. It was just one fuck.”

  “Oh, I’m not following you around like a lovesick puppy, Mya. I’m watching you, because I think you’re involved in this mess.”

  She recoiled. There wasn’t time for calming breaths. Her hand whipped up. Luca blocked it. She glared from his face to the hand wrapped around her wrist.

  “Get. Your hand. Off me.”

  “If you try to hit me again, I’ll cuff you,” he threatened.

  As they stood toe to toe, staring one another down, the atmosphere changed from scorching anger to static desire. Shallow breaths collided in the void between them, and a tingle started in Mya’s chest and fluttered down to her stomach. She looked into his hungry eyes. The anticipation built. Her fingers twitched at her side as she ached to touch his taut, naked body.

  Abruptly, he blinked several times and backed away. He flopped onto the couch and puts his heels on the coffee table.

  “Why don’t you tell me about your visit to Pete’s Pawn Shop on Tuesday?”

  “Is this an interrogation?”

  “No, just a friendly chat with a concerned neighbour. Look, Mya, I know you’re planning on handling Willy Mason on your own, but I can’t let you do that.”

  With a shake of her head, she stalked to her favourite armchair and dropped into it.

  “The guy’s a nut job, not to mention huge,” Luca said.

  She remained silent.

  “Look, I’m pretty sure he’s involved in a bigger scam, and this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I might be able to solve, well, a lot of crimes.”

  “I did the right thing and reported Mum’s jewelry stolen,” Mya said.

  “I know.”

  “But I knew the cops wouldn’t bother looking for it. They never protect people when it really counts.”

  “What?” Luca was o
n his feet again. “That’s what cops do. We protect civilians.”

  “You make a big show of locking the bad guys up, but you let them right back onto the street.”

  A peculiar look crossed his face. Guilt or maybe understanding, but he soon distanced himself from it.

  “I think we’re getting off track here.” He sat down again and waved a hand to encourage her to continue.

  “I canvassed every secondhand shop in the district. It was pure luck I found Mum’s stuff, or bad luck for Pete.”

  “Yeah, I saw the two black eyes you gave him. Do you go out of your way to beat people up?”

  “Only arseholes. Besides, he told me it was Willy who sold him the jewelry. I take it that’s more than you knew at the time.”

  A hint of pink crept across the top of Luca’s cheekbones. “You should’ve told the police and they would’ve retrieved the jewelry and booked Pete.”

  “A lot of unnecessary paperwork for a bottom feeder.”

  Luca sighed and rubbed his hands across his face. His hair was tied back, accentuating a pronounced forehead that curved down to thin eyebrows. The smooth sweep of his nose ended in slightly flared nostrils and, from this angle, she could hardly see the scar above his lip. But it was his eyes that drew her in. Cool grey in this light, with feathered lines at the outer corners.

  “You can’t honestly tell me you think Willy is organizing all this,” she said.

  “You’re right, but I need to use him to find out who is, which means I need you to back off.”

  She didn’t like being told what to do, especially by a lying cop. Without another word she headed for her bedroom.

  “Mya, you don’t know how crazy he might be. If you push him—The things I see in this job—”

  With her back still to him, she said, “I’m going to bed. You can let yourself out.”

  “Sure.” He sounded defeated. “I’ll be back in the morning for Natalie.”

  Chapter 23

  Luca spooned the last of five milk-soaked Weetbix into his mouth and washed the bowl and spoon while still chewing. He didn’t get much sleep last night. It was nearly two in the morning when he left Mya’s house, and he kept imagining noises in the street. He saw Willy Mason slink home around three, which prompted him to keep a vigil from his second-story bedroom window until daylight.