Page 22 of Reckless Kiss

Chapter 8

Davis Islands was a unique community in Tampa. For one it was a manmade island.Islands.This was one of those confusing things about Florida I often found difficult to explain. The water moved so much that islands formed and disappeared over and over again. So of course some businessman thought it would be a good idea to take two of those on-again, off-again islands and make them permanent, dredging up what they needed from the bay until there was enough land. Thus, the area was known as Davis Islands (with an “s”) because it was more than one.

For two, it had its own airport.

For three, it was nestled right up and cozy with downtown Tampa. You could live the quiet island life steps from the heart of Tampa.

And for four, it was a bizarre mix of happy normal residential homes, bungalows and apartments, but with million-dollar mansions as well. One could easily be Joe Nobody, walking the trails and kayaking with the most famous athletes in the world.

Which is where we found ourselves that Saturday night. Edmund Brown had purchased the most expensive home the islands currently had to offer. It sat right on the water with unencumbered views of the bay.

We stood as a group in the massive cobblestone driveway, looking up at the white two-story building.

“At least the views should be nice,” I offered a very nervous-looking Marie Hamilton.

She cracked her neck. By her side was her husband Greg, an intimidating brute of a man I often found a direct contradiction to the calm, refined beauty of my boss. But then again, perhaps that was why they worked so well.

Greg took her arm and tucked it into the crook of his elbow, his hand holding it in place. “It will be fine. We’ll make our appearances, we’ll say as little as possible, we’ll drink his expensive liquor, and we’ll leave. Easy.”

She turned to me and whispered, “My best friend lives just a few blocks away. She’s offered her house as an escape point if we need it.”

“Eve?” I’d met Marie’s friends several times over the years, especially because Eve Spencer was an executive with the Mantas baseball franchise.

Marie nodded and looked over our group of eleven. “Everyone ready?”

Based on the smiles on everyone’s faces I got the impression I was one of the only ones she’d confided her discomfort, which of course made my ego inflate.

Yes, I knew I was damn good at my job. And yes, I’d earned my corner office, but it was a brutal business and it was nice to get a little confirmation here and there from the owner of the company that she placed her trust in me.

“Follow me, then.”

We fell into line, walking up the drive, down the long corridor, and up to the enormous front doors. Greeters held the doors, directed us to the back of the house, and offered us champagne. The house was already packed, which I expected given the sheer number of cars parked outside. Some I recognized, some I didn’t. It was a mix of rich, famous, and powerful, but everyone I knew was definitely from the world of sports.

The home was decorated in gleaming white. It was a cold blank slate. Soaring ceilings, massive windows that looked out over the water, marble everywhere. It was a statement more than a place to live and it made me a little bit sad that such a prime property was being wasted on someone like Edmund Brown.

We scattered through the crowd, mingling and putting on a good show for our company.

“Leo, long time no see.” Kelly Halstead, agent with Prime Management Group smiled at me warmly.

We were about the same age and she was a pretty little thing with dark hair, big eyes, and perpetually red lips.

I kissed her cheek. “It has been quite some time. How is New York treating you?”

She shrugged. “Busy, loud, and I love it.”

I’d spent some time in our New York offices thinking that was exactly where I wanted to be. The big city. The heart of everything. But it turned out I kind of hated it there. It overloaded my circuits. Marie asked me to come down to Tampa and see if it was a better fit here and I never left.

Turns out warmth and palm trees are much more my speed.

“Since you went almost exclusively basketball I rarely see you anymore.”

She shrugged. “What can I say? It works for me.”

She’d picked up one basketball player after another until she was known as the agent with the magic touch when it came to contract renegotiations. I, on the other hand, found managing basketball players exhausting. Between the lengthy season and the drama...well, I preferred my football and baseball prima donnas.

“So what do you think tonight is all about?” Perhaps Kelly would have a different perspective.

She took a tentative breath as she surveyed the room with a cool expression. Apparently she wasn’t feeling the warm fuzzies either. “Showing off? Setting the record straight? I really don’t know but I’m not sure I’m comfortable with it either.”

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