He handed the phone to Ben and walked over to his siblings. They each hugged him, and then Jess reached up and gently touched his jaw. “Jams, I can’t believe you just lied to Mom.”
“She’s right, Jandy. You just told Mom he didn’t hurt you. One look at that jaw and that story’s out the window.”
Jamie laughed. “I told her I’m okay, and I am. You both know it’s good that Mr. Evans is already in custody. The last thing he needs is Mom climbing all over him for hitting me.”
Ben listened to the conversation the kids were having, and had to stifle a smile. Evans was lucky he was in custody because if there had been anything left when Lane finished, there wouldn’t have been after Ben finished. He cleared his throat and handed Jamie’s phone back to him, “Let me talk to the cops. I’m going to see if I can stall your statement until morning or at least until after dinner. I’m not sure I could keep you away from your mother for long even if I tried.”
Gabe and Joey joined the Parker Kids.
“Some rescuers we turned out to be.” Gabe said as he shook Jamie’s hand and pulled him into a man hug. “Glad you’re okay, man.”
Jamie grinned, “Yeah, well, it’s the thought that counts.” He nodded at Joey. “Thanks, all of you.”
Roy Tanner approached them and motioned toward the exit. “The rest of the family is on their way to meet you. I called for the limo. Come on, let’s let Ben handle the Troopers.” He ushered the group into the parking lot. “Ben’s explaining that after the game you just played and the excitement that followed, you’re too exhausted to make any sense and that it would be better for everyone if you make your statement after you get a good night’s sleep. If you’re out of their sight, it’ll be easier to sell.”
Lane was standing near the limo, with the rest of the family. A thin veneer of calm shown to the world. As always, she’d been calm during the crisis, but tears filled her eyes as soon as she saw Jamie and she rushed toward him. She drew him into a fierce maternal hug. He stood six inches taller and bent, resting his right cheek against her head.
She patted Jamie’s back and whispered, “I saw your face. He hit you.”
Jamie patted his mother’s back and pulled away to look into her eyes. “Yeah, he got in the first punch. But it was the only one he got.” He wriggled his jaw back and forth to prove his point, “Really, Mom, I’m okay.”
Lane looked, over his shoulder, at Jake, Jess, Joey, and Gabe. Gabe tilted his head and lifted one eyebrow. “Really, it was all over but the crying by the time we got there. Jamie already had him on the ground. All we did was give him the strap from his gym bag so he could tie the guy up.”
Joey’s phone buzzed, “Bellini.” There was a pause followed by “Consider it done.” He looked at the family. “Ben’s on his way out. Everyone in the Limo. He motioned between Jamie and the limo. “You first.”
Lane looked at Joey and shook her head. Why had Ben called him instead of her or Roy? “What’s going on now?”
Joey moved his hands in a shooing motion. The Bellinis moved toward the limo. Lane did not.
“I asked you a question.” She said quietly but firmly as she stood her ground. The three Parker kids collectively held their breath. They knew that tone, and if Joey gave the wrong answer or, God forbid, didn’t answer, they knew all hell would break loose.
Jamie began moving toward the limo. “Mom, it’s okay.” He took Lane’s hand. “Dad told the state troopers that I’m too exhausted to possibly give a statement tonight. He’s just trying to make sure they don’t change their minds.”
“By hiding you from the police?” Lane whispered as they walked.
As Jess watched Jamie lead their mother to the limo, she leaned toward Joey and whispered, “Believe me, you just dodged a bullet.”
Roy Tanner held the door as the family climbed into the SUV stretch limo. His eyes were pinned to the exit where Ben Bellini would be coming out any minute. Why did Ben call Joey? It’s the kind of thing he usually calls me with.
Ben exited the building and tilted his head indicating that Roy should meet him half way. Roy closed the limo door and walked toward Ben.
“Everyone’s in the Limo except Sal, of course. The driver’s going to pick him up from here.” While Roy wondered about the call to Joey, he’d long ago stopped second guessing Ben.
“How much trouble am I in with Lane? I called Joey so I could have the conversation in Italian. I need to get Jamie alone and hear firsthand what happened before he has to give his statement. Evans was squawking about filing assault charges.” Ben let out a low growl. “He grabbed my son, popped him in the jaw and thinks he’s going to get someone to file assault charges against Jamie. The idiot has no idea who he’s dealing with.”
“I think Jamie smoothed things over with Lane for you. He told her you told the Troopers that he was too exhausted to give a statement, that you were just protecting him. You go with the family. Have dinner. I’ll poke around and see what I can find out at the station. If there’s anything you need to know, I’ll call.”
Ben nodded and turned toward the limo. It was just after 10:00 p.m. when Jamie had called him, but now it was nearing 11:30 and they still hadn’t had dinner. He knew Lane had to be tired. It was probably only adrenaline and worry about Jamie that was keeping her awake. Ben opened the Limo door, climbed in and took the vacant seat next to Lane. He took her hand and kissed her cheek. “Ti amo.” He whispered near her ear.
“I love you.” She replied as she put her head on his shoulder. She wanted to know what was going on; what Ben had said to Joey and the details of what had happened between Jamie and Lucas Evans Sr. Right now, more than anything else, she wanted to close her eyes and just relax in the bosom of her family and the safety of her husband’s arms.
Chapter 31
Lane awoke to darkness and hushed voices coming from somewhere nearby. The last thing she remembered was telling Ben she loved him. She smiled. Once again, she’d fallen asleep in a vehicle, and once again, he’d carried her to bed. As her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, she looked around. That’s right. The hotel in St. Louis. She closed her eyes again trying to decipher what the voice was saying. Italian, of course. She looked at the clock; she’d been asleep for over an hour. It was nearing one o’clock and she’d missed dinner. She lifted the covers to find she was in her underwear. Nothing new there either. She made her way into the bathroom, used the facilities, and found a bathrobe, which she was cinching with the belt when she heard the door open.
“I saw the light.” Ben said as he bent to kiss her, “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, but it seems I missed dinner.”
Ben ran the palm of his hand across her baby bump. “You didn’t miss anything, give me a couple of minutes and I’ll reheat it.”
Ben always stays at Marriott Hotels. They don’t have kitchens, how is he planning to reheat dinner? “Aren’t we in the hotel in St. Louis?”
He smiled, “Yes, Red, but we’re in the Presidential suite at the Ritz. We had dinner here.” He’d booked the suite hoping for a romantic, mini honeymoon, weekend but that was before they’d decided to go to Chicago Saturday night to talk to Phillip. “You get dressed and come out when you’re ready. The kids are still here.” He kissed her again and left, presumably to reheat dinner.
She was fully awake now, and as she looked around, she shook her head. The man was always full of surprises. The bathroom was complete with a marble tub, and separate shower and a sauna. She reached in and turned on the water in the shower. She slipped out of her robe and undies and stepped under the warm water. She took a quick shower and toweled dry. Someone had unpacked her things, either when they were at the game, or quietly as she’d slept. She dressed in a pair of leggings and a long cotton sweater and made her way out of the bedroom.