BOOTLEG LOVE

9

She didn’t know how powerful that smile of hers was. It could melt a man’s will. She was looking at him, trying to entice him to go to bed with her; only he didn’t think she knew just how detrimental such an act could be. How could he sleep at her side and not want to take her? Their kiss earlier that night had taken him by surprise, but he had been unable to stop himself once it began.

            His brothers were right, s*x was getting in the way, and that bothered him greatly. He didn’t want to ruin the bond they had, but she looked so tempting standing there in his nightshirt with bare legs and bare feet. Her golden hair tussled from the rain and wind. Even at that moment, he wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her again. He should say no and sleep on the floor; a good man would sleep on the floor, only he was not a good man. He was no gentleman and never had been. He didn’t even pretend to be. He was a cad, and he wanted to go to bed with Evangeline. He would just have to keep his desires at bay. He could do that. He was in control. He wasn’t ruled by desire.

            Payton gestured to the bedroom. “After you.” She looked excited and headed for the bedroom. His gaze drifted to her bottom as she walked away. She looked so good in his shirt. Ok, he could do this. Payton followed Evangeline into the bedroom and watched as she pulled back the covers. She climbed into bed and tucked her legs beneath the blanket; then, she patted the empty spot beside her.

            If he was going to do this, he was going to be comfortable. Payton removed his shirt and tossed it on the floor, then reached for his belt and couldn’t help but notice how intently she was watching him. He tried to hide his amusement. Evangeline had never seen a man undress; he could see it in her face. She was trying not to show it, but she was intrigued by his body.

            He unbuckled his trousers and pulled down the zipper. Her gaze following his hands. Payton then pushed his trousers off his hips and let them fall to the floor. He stepped out of the legs, kicked it aside, and then settled onto the mattress by her side. Evangeline had already turned away, laying on her side and giving him her back.

            Payton lay on his back, his right arm behind his head. The room was quiet and dark. He stared up at the ceiling in silence for what felt like forever, listening to the steady rhythm of her breathing. She was not asleep; he was sure of it. His mind kept drifting back to the kiss they shared. It made lying beside her all the harder.

            Payton rolled onto his side, facing Evangeline. “Are we going to talk about what happened?” He whispered.

            “Nothing happened.” She whispered back.

            “It didn’t feel like nothing.”

            Evangeline rolled over and looked at him, their faces just inches from each other. “It was nothing, a mistake; we were caught up in the moment. Let’s just pretend like it didn’t happen.”

            How could he pretend it didn’t happen? It had happened, and now he couldn’t purge it from his mind. Even now, looking in her eyes, he could see a spark there; he wanted to kiss her but was afraid of the repercussions. He didn’t want to lose what they had for a fleeting moment of desire.

            Perhaps she was right. Better to forget it entirely. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes. A moment later, he felt Evangeline curl up against him; her head nestled against his neck. At first, he was tense, on edge because of the closeness, but soon he relaxed and drifted off to sleep.

***

            Payton peeked through the window and shook his head quietly. That damned Detective was persistent at 8:00 am, and he was still parked out front of Payton’s house, waiting to catch them coming out. Plan-B then. Payton dropped the drapes and headed back to the bedroom, where Evangeline was getting dressed. 

            He knocked first before going in. She was just pulling on her coat as he came into the room. “He is still out there.” He informed her.

            “What do we do? If I stay here any longer, someone is going to notice I’m gone.” She said urgently.

            “I have another plan.” He said, crossing the room to the window and opening it up. The bedroom was at the back of the house, and Hamilton would never notice they left. “We will stick to the trees; it will take us out to the main road where I can get you a taxi.”

            “Won’t he spot us?” She asked as he took her by the arm and assisted her to climb through the small window.

            “His eyes are on the door; he won’t notice a thing.” He assured her, and once she was through, he followed her out. In the dark, the trees surrounding his place were thick and shadowy, imposable to navigate, but in the light, he could see all the landmarks that told him which way was which. His hand on the small of her back, Payton guided Evangeline through the birch trees. It was thick foliage, and from where they stood, he couldn’t see the front of the house, which was fine with him; if he couldn’t see Hamilton, then Hamilton couldn’t see them.

            They came out on the main road. Having gone unnoticed, he walked her up the street and flagged down a passing taxi cab. Payton opened the back door, and Evangeline got in. “Will I see you again?” She asked through the window as he closed the back door.

            “I don’t know if that is a good idea with your suitor sniffing around.” She looked saddened. He looked around for a moment and then leaned over his arm, resting on the car’s roof. Again, he looked into her eyes. Tomorrow was July first, and the fair was in town to celebrate the festivities. It was a big party night, and the clubs would be hot, but his day was free. “How about I pick you up in the morning, and we take in the fair.”

            Her face just lit up. “I love the fair.” He knew that was why he suggested the outing. She quickly gave him the address, and then Payton tapped his hand on the roof, and the car pulled away and started down the street, leaving him alone on the boardwalk.

            Payton headed back to the house sneaking back in unnoticed through the bedroom window. He then made himself a simple breakfast of creamed cereal and fruit. He then had a cup of freshly brewed coffee and got changed for the day. Once he was dressed, he made a second cup of coffee and went outside. He walked right up to the police car and handed the cup through the window.

            “Morning, Detective. Sleep well?” He mocked as Hamilton refused the offering. If he didn’t want it, Payton would drink it.

            “Off to flout the law?” Hamilton snarled.

            “Nope, just going to the farm to visit my Mother. You off to save the world this morning?”

            “Where is your lady friend?” Hamilton demanded, looking back at the door, noticing Payton had come out alone.

            “She left. You must have been sleeping.” He mocked, taking a sip of his coffee.

            “I don’t think there was anyone in there with you. I think you were alone.” Hamilton challenged.

            “We are all entitled to our opinions.” He said, heading for his car. “You have a good day, Detective. I’m sure I will see you around.” He got into the car and placed the now empty mug on the seat next to him, then backed out of the driveway, leaving the frustrated Detective behind him.

***

            Tempest Kingston placed a platter of pancakes in the center of the table. Her boys and husband dug right in, each starving. It was late in the morning, and all had slept in since they came in later than usual the night before. One of Payton’s clubs had been raided the night before, and her family had scattered to the winds, each taking great care to be sure they were not spotted or followed before returning home as the sun was coming up.

            Colton and Trenton were staying with them for the next few days before they headed back to their own respective homes. The only one unaccounted for was Payton. Usually, by now, he would have checked in, but he was still missing in action. “I’m worried.” She said, taking her seat at the kitchen table between her husband and her eldest son. When her boys first started out bootlegging, they had all tried to keep her in the dark, but Tempest was no fool, and she caught on to their underworld enterprise rather quickly.

            “I’m sure he is fine,” Remington said, taking a bite of his pancake.

            “What if he was arrested?” She said, cradling her coffee cup in her hands.

            “If he was, I’m sure we would have heard something by now,” Colton said, patting her on the back, trying to comfort her. “Payton is a big boy; he can take care of himself.”

            “There is no way he got pinched,” Trenton said, swallowing the food in his mouth. “I got a good gut feeling. No one moves faster than Payton.”

            “I would still feel better if I could see him.” She sighed. She knew what her boys did was potentially dangerous. Dealing with crooks and dodging the cops but it had given them all a better life. A life that hard, honest work could never give them. Not in these difficult times. Things had been tight for the nation since the war, but her family was actually surviving, profiting, and she could not ask for anything better. Sure, it was illegal, but was it wrong? She didn’t think so. She knew her boys, and they were all good men, so she simply looked the other way.  

            Only when Payton was concerned, Tempest found it all the harder to ignore the risks he took. She worried about all her boys, but with Payton, it was different; he was her baby boy and always would be. Perhaps she mothered him more than the others, but Payton was different from his brothers. He was sensitive and attentive. He always helped her out even as a child, and now as a man, he still helped. Helped her clean the house. Helped her carry her groceries. Drove her around. Took her shopping. He was a dear boy, and though she would never say it out loud, he was her favourite.

            The sound of an approaching car drew everyone’s attention out the window where Payton was just pulling in behind Colton’s car. “See, there he is. He is fine.” Remington said, returning to his meal.

            Tempest got up and made her way to the kitchen door. She threw herself in Payton’s arms as he came inside. “Oh, my dear boy, you had me worried. You should have come sooner.”

            “I’m sorry, Mother, but that damn Detective was sitting outside my house all night.” He said, hugging her tight.

            “Did he see you come home?” Her husband asked.

            “No, I was already home. Told him I was there all night. He can’t possibly prove otherwise.” Her son assured his father.

            “Good,” Remington said, gestured to the empty seat at the table. “Pull up a chair and have some breakfast.”

            “I ate already,” Payton said, sitting down. “I see you all got away fine.”

            “It was quite the night.” Teased Colton. “Been a while since I have been in a raid.” He spoke like it was an everyday occurrence in Toronto. Like the cops in Ottawa were not as efficient. “I’m surprised how fast the joint cleared out.”

            “How do you always know they are coming?” Trenton asked, stuffing his mouth full of pancakes.

            “I have good informants,” Payton said with pride. “Although they certainly let me down last night.” He said, accepting a cup of coffee from his mother.

            “If not your informant, then how did you know about the raid?” Tempest asked, taking a seat at the table.                  

            Payton looked reluctant to say, but then he looked into his coffee and cleared his throat. “Evangeline.”

            “Canyon?” Remington barked.

            “Of course, Canyon,” she snipped, “how many Evangeline’s do you think the boy knows?” She then smiled at her son. “How did she know to find you there?”

            “I took her out the night before.”

            “I told you to stay away from that girl.” Remington snarled.

            “Why on earth should he stay away from her? I adore that little girl.” Tempest jumped in. “You see her all you want.”

            “She is dating the Detective that has been harassing us,” Remington informed her. She couldn’t believe it, but when she looked at Payton, she knew it was true. She felt bad for her son. “You know you can’t keep seeing her.”

            “She warned me about the raid. She didn’t have to do that. She kept our asses out of jail. I think you should cut her a little slack. I trust her with my life.” Payton said firmly. “I’m going to keep seeing her, whether you like it or not.”

            “And just what do you think Hamilton is going to do when he finds out you are spending time with the girl he is seeing. He is not going to like that. The guy already has a hard-on for this family.” Trenton said, putting his fork down. “This might be the one thing that pushes him over the edge and takes him from good cop to rogue cop. I personally don’t want to face that so you could rekindle some stupid childhood friendship.”

            Payton stood up and headed for the door. “I’m going to see her until she doesn’t want to see me. So, you better just get used to the idea.”

            “Payton,” Tempest called to him as she stood up. He stood by the door and waited for what she had to say. “No one is saying you can’t see Evangeline.”

            “I am,” Remington said, only to be swatted in the back of the head by his wife.

            “We are just saying you need to be cautious. This could blow up in your face if you are not careful.”

            “It is Evangeline, Mom.” That was all he said.

            She came around the table and touched her hand to his arm, lovingly. “I know the girl is important to you. Just be careful.” With that, Payton left the house.

            “You shouldn’t encourage this friendship. It can only lead to trouble.” Her husband said. He didn’t understand; he never saw the way they looked at one another. Never saw them play together. There was something between Payton and Evangeline that defied social class barriers.

***

            Evangeline was running late as she rushed into the country club. Her friends were already seated at a table drinking tea and indulging in pastries, each going on about how their weekend had gone. Evangeline slipped into the empty seat and excused her lateness.

            “Where have you been?” Asked Tina. “You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago.”

            “I’m so sorry I had to change before I came over.”

            “Getting dressed in the morning becoming too much of a hassle these days?” Pamela teased, taking a bite of her scone.

            “Well, it would have been easier if I hadn’t had to climb in the bedroom window this morning.” She said, taking an empty cup and filling it with tea from the pot in the center of the table. She instantly had everyone’s attention. They all leaned in close to hear more.

            “You snuck out last night?” Becky asked quietly.

            “And stayed out all night?” Tina giggled. “Where did you go?”

            “I was out with an old friend.” Evangeline smiled as she added sugar to her tea. “Cream?” She asked, holding out her hand. Becky picked up the pitcher of cream and passed it across the table.

            “What, friend? We are all here.”

            Evangeline couldn’t contain herself a moment longer. She grinned ear to ear and leaned into her eagerly awaiting friends. “I was with Payton Kingston.”

            They each looked at one another, trying to place the name. “You mean that boy from Ottwell?” Pamela asked the first to remember all the times Evangeline had mentioned him.

            “Yes, he lives here in the city now. He is…” She paused thoughtfully. She couldn’t tell them he was a bootlegger; she wasn’t sure they would keep the information in confidence, “in shipping.” She decided to go with Payton’s cover. He claimed to be a businessman, so she would just keep to his story.

            “He owns a shipping company?” Becky asked. “Is he successful?”

            “Very,” Evangeline said, pouring the cream into her tea.

            “Is he cute?” Tina asked.

            “Who cares? Is he single?” Pamela giggled.

            “Yes, he is both.” Evangeline smiled with pride, like Payton’s accomplishments were somehow her doing.

            “How did you find him?” Pamela asked, picking up a teacake.

            “I just sort of ran into him. At first, I wasn’t sure it was him; he’d changed so much, but he was with his mother, and I would never mistake her; the woman practically raised me.”

            “And?” Tina asked impatiently.

            “And - we had coffee and talked, and things went well.”

            “So, you spent the night with him.” Becky teased.

            “It wasn’t like that. We just slept. It was too late to go home, so I spent the night… sleeping.” She stressed.

            “What a pity,” Pamela said, sitting back in her chair and picking up her coffee cup. “I would have expected more. After all, you have talked about him as long as I have known you. Sounds to me like there was something there between you.”

            “There was never anything between us growing up.”

            “But what about now?” Pamela asked. “Why couldn’t there be something now?”

            “Because we are just friends. Besides, I’m seeing someone else.” She said very matter of fact, picking up her cup and lifting it to her lips.

            “Oh, really, anyone we would know?”

            Evangeline grinned. “Actually, yes. Mr. Quincy Hamilton.” She announced proudly.

            “The Detective running for Mayor?” Becky asked, astounded. “Isn’t he a catch?”

            “Yes, a good man and one the public recognizes and respects. Now he is husband material. He would give you a good life.” Tina said, happy for her friend’s good fortune.

            “I agree.” Pamela smiled wickedly. “But he is no Payton Kingston.”

            She was so right; Quincy and Payton couldn’t be more different. Her problem was she liked them both and was having a hard time deciding which one to choose. On the one hand, there was Quincy. He was kind and passionate, with a great future ahead of him and would one day make a woman a fine husband. Why shouldn’t that woman be her?

            Then, on the other hand, there was Payton, who she had known all her life, who she had played with and confided in countless times throughout their youth. He had always been there for her, and she believed he always would be. Though his methods were wicked and self-serving, he was at heart a good person. No one in this world knew her better than Payton did.

            So, she was torn between two men. The man that could give her a good future and the man that consumed her past. Friendship or her suitor. If only they got along, then she could have her relationship with Quincy and still keep her friendship with Payton. There was no way those two could co-exist. They were headstrong and bent on destroying one another.

            “So, you think I should give Quincy up for Payton?”

            Pamela laughed. “God, no.” She managed with a chuckle. “I’m saying you should marry Detective Hamilton and have fun with Mr. Kingston.”

            Evangeline was shocked. “You think I should see them both?”

            “Why not?” Becky asked. “After all, you have committed to neither of them. Until Mr. Hamilton puts a ring on your finger, why not enjoy time with Payton. They don’t even have to know about each other.”

            It seemed wrong. “I could never do that to Payton.”

            “Interesting.” Tina grinned.

            “What?”

            “You said, Payton… not Quincy… not them… but Payton. I think you have a thing for him.” She teased. “When are you going to see him again?”

            “Tomorrow. We are going to the Canada Day festival.”

            “Sounds like fun. Maybe we will have to go to the festival and get a good look at this notorious Mr. Kingston.”

            “No, you won’t.” Evangeline wasn’t ready yet to let Payton into her present life.