Love, Lies, and Deception

by L. P. Dover

  “That’s not the point,” he snapped. “The paramedics saw Alec in the water and chose to save him over her. They left her there to die so they could save him. He was the one who should’ve died, but no … they had to save their precious star.”

  “So you want revenge … is that it? To take me away from him since he supposedly loves me? Why would you do that when he fucked me over? I’m nothing to him,” I stated forlornly.

  Justin smiled, showing his gleaming white teeth. “Ah, see that’s where you’re wrong. He’s so enamored by you it makes me sick. Emily said he came to her all worried and upset over how he couldn’t find you.”

  “I don’t understand why he’d do that. He cheated on me.”

  Justin laughed. “No, he didn’t, and if you would’ve trusted him and asked questions you might’ve realized it was all a farce. I set up the whole thing.”

  “What do you mean you set it up?”

  “Oh, Marissa, you are as dumb as you look. I had that blonde headed bitch come in and make it look like Alec fucked her. You know, it’s amazing what people will do for a little bit of money. Imagine the look that’s going to be on Alec’s face when I tell him you ran away from him and fucked someone else the next day. You are a vindictive thing aren’t you?”

  Closing my eyes, I felt sick and dizzy. I leaned my head back against the couch and let the tears build. Everything that happened was because of Justin and his sick ideas of revenge. The whole time it was all a lie; he had betrayed me and especially Emily.

  “What about the bar? Did you get that girl to drop the Rohypnol in my drink?”

  He nodded. “Yes, I did. She was a good lay, but not very good with keeping secrets.”

  “So you were the one who killed her.” It was a statement, not a question.

  Justin shrugged. “I didn’t want any loose ends. She had to go.”

  “What about Emily and everything that we’ve all done together? Was it all just pretend for you?” I asked incredulously.

  If he was able to keep up the lie for that long and feel no remorse then he had some severe psychological issues. I just didn’t want to imagine how hard Emily was going to take the news when she found out. She really loved him.

  Justin furrowed his brows and shrugged. “You and Emily were just pawns in all of this. When I found out where Alec was and that you and Emily lived above him, I knew I could get to him through you two if I just played my cards right. Thankfully, it worked. It’s taken me a little longer than expected, but I got him where I want him now. He’s freaking the fuck out because of you.”

  I didn’t really want to know, but I had to find out. Taking a deep breath, I built up the courage and asked, “What are you planning on doing with me? Did you really mean what you put in that last note?”

  Justin shrugged again and smiled. “The fucking you part sounded quite nice, but now that you’re Kristian’s sloppy seconds I think I’ll pass. You can blame the rest on Alec though. If he didn’t love you I’d let you go, but you are the one key to hurting him.”

  Fear spiked in my gut, and I really didn’t want to show weakness, but I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks. I was scared, and judging by Justin’s grin he knew it, too. “So you’re going to kill me? Is that what you’re saying?”

  He nodded. “Yep, and Alec’s going to watch. I think that’ll make the perfect ending to this night … don’t you?”

  No, it didn’t, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to sit idly by and let it happen. I had to do something, even if I failed.

  Catching him off guard, I kicked my leg up and clocked him in the face with my foot. He roared—blood flying out of his nose—and brought both hands up to his face. Not wasting any time, I jumped off and over the couch, heading for the door. I was almost there when the force of his body charged into mine, sending me to the floor with a loud thump.

  “Bitch, you are so gonna pay for that. You try to leave again, and I’ll put a hole straight through Kristian’s skull,” he hissed in my ear. I tried to buck him off, but he was too heavy and too strong.

  “You can go to hell,” I snarled vehemently. “I’m not just going to sit by and let you kill me. You can’t blame others for your mistakes, Justin.”

  “Oh, yes I can,” he taunted icily. “It’s a shame because I was hoping to have a little fun with you this afternoon, but it’s looking like that might be a mistake. I hope you have a good nap, sweetheart. It’ll be the last one you’ll ever have.”

  He pulled something out of his pocket and I heard the cap fall to the floor. Jabbing the needle into my neck it hurt like hell, but it only lasted a second. My eyes started to grow heavy, and I recognized the feeling from the night before.

  I was falling into the void and there was no way to stop it. The fear of not knowing what was going to happen to me snaked through my veins, and I wanted to fight it. I was frozen and couldn’t move as the drug that Justin injected in my body paralyzed every muscle.

  What was he going to do to me? I knew that once I woke up I’d find out, and for the first time in my life I actually prayed that I wouldn’t wake.

  Falling asleep and never waking up was a much easier death than the one I knew Justin had in store for me.

  The rippling of water sounded below me, but I didn’t have the strength to open my eyes yet; I was scared. I could barely lift my head and my muscles ached, tingly from numbness. I tried to lift my hand, but I couldn’t … my wrists were tied down to a chair.

  My legs were tied as well, wrapped in what felt like cable ties. They dug into my skin, and with the little movement I’d already made my flesh start to tear open.

  “I see someone is waking up,” Justin sneered from what sounded like several feet away.

  “Where’s Kristian?” I asked hoarsely.

  With all the strength I had, I lifted my head and slowly opened my eyes. Justin had me strapped to a chair and placed at the edge of the pool, right next to the deep end. When I gazed at the water and then up to him, he smiled sardonically.

  “Oh, he’s perfectly fine. In fact, he should be coming around right about now. I’m sure you’ve figured out why I have you there by the pool, right?” he asked, standing from the patio chair he was seated in. He marched over to me and took a seat. “I mean, what better way for me to get my revenge than for Alec to see the girl he loves drowning right before his eyes.”

  Gasping, I met his gaze head on and spat, “I can’t believe you’re doing this to me. You’ve been my friend for years, Justin. Does that not mean anything to you?”

  Laughing, Justin replied, “Please … you were just a means to an end. I almost wanted to kill myself having to deal with you and Emily all the time, but it’s all paid off now. I have Alec right where I want him.”

  Wearily, I asked, “When will he be here?”

  Looking down at his watch, Justin furrowed his brows and bit his lip. “Let’s see … he was in Boone when I called him and since that’s been several hours ago I’d say he was almost here.”

  My pulse spiked and my heart raced. I was about to see Alec for the first time since I left, and I felt ashamed, guilty. He was going to find out about my treachery, and here he was coming to rescue someone that failed to trust him and slept with another man. People made mistakes all the time, but I made a huge one … one that could cost me my life and Alec’s.

  “Marissa! Marissa, where are you?” Kristian’s voice echoed throughout the house, and he sounded frantic. Doors were slammed and I could hear his heavy footsteps as he made his way through the house.

  “Ah, it appears your other lover has finally awakened,” Justin remarked. “Just in time, too.”

  Through the glass patio doors, I could see Kristian running his hands through his hair in frustration. He peered around the room, and once he saw me through the glass doors he froze. Slowly, he staggered out of the house and his gaze met Justin’s.

  “You better untie her now or so help me God I will kill you,” Kristian growled fier
cely.

  Laughing, Justin reached behind him and pulled out a gun, aiming it at Kristian, and I gasped when I realized it wasn’t just any gun. It was my Smith and Wesson M&P; the one my father gave to me. Anger boiled inside of me at the thought of his treacherous hands touching it.

  Justin retorted, “I’d like to see you try dear brother. By the way, I don’t appreciate you flaking out on me. It’s a good thing I didn’t need you anymore.”

  Gasping, I immediately drew my gaze to Kristian, who winced and avoided my questioning stare. I thought Justin’s betrayal was terrible and heart wrenching, but finding out Kristian played a part in it ripped my heart in two.

  “What the hell is he talking about, Kristian?” I asked warily. “Look at me and tell me you had nothing to do with this.”

  Justin snickered and shook his head. “Oh, this is priceless. You two finally get your fuck on and you find out that he betrayed you. Please do tell, Kristian, because I’m dying to hear what you have to say.”

  “Will you shut the hell up?” I screamed at Justin.

  Even though I was strapped to a chair and helpless, I couldn’t keep from lashing out at him no matter the consequences. Knowing Kristian played a part in all of this was the worst betrayal imaginable.

  Taking a seat in the patio chair, Justin raised his hands in defeat and beamed at us. “I’ll be glad to. I don’t want to miss this,” Justin taunted with a wolfish grin on his face.

  Kristian’s weary gaze met mine from across the pool, and after taking a deep breath he began, “Justin is my brother, Mare. After Lindsey died, I followed him to North Carolina in search of Alec.”

  My eyes went wide and I glanced back and forth to Justin and Kristian. How could I not see it before? Other than the hair color they did have similar features. I wanted to lash out and yell at him, but I couldn’t … I was stunned into silence; I could only glare at him.

  Kristian balked under my stare, but continued, “We found Alec after searching the area for a few months. When we saw where he lived that’s when we saw you and Emily.”

  “So you used me,” I choked out. “To get to Alec you used me and Emily. You son of a bitch, how could you do that? I trusted you!” I fought against my restraints and almost tipped myself over into the pool. Kristian ran over and got down on his knees beside me. I didn’t want to look at him so I turned my head away.

  “It wasn’t like that, Marissa,” he exclaimed. Kristian lightly grasped my chin and turned me to look at him. “At first it was, but then when I met you and got to know you I regretted ever getting involved in this whole scheme.”

  As soon as Kristian reminded me of the day we met, realization set in. It was on that cold, dark night when I was attacked that he came to save me and who better to be the attacker than his mentally unstable brother. It was the perfect ploy for him to weasel his way into my life.

  Turning to Justin, I curled my lip in disgust and muttered, “It was you, wasn’t it … the one who attacked me on that night two years ago?”

  Justin nodded. “Yep.”

  “It was all a ploy?” I asked, turning back to Kristian. Reluctantly, he nodded. When he tried to caress my cheek, I jerked away. “Don’t touch me,” I hissed. “You were my friend, Kristian. I … loved you.”

  That time he gripped my face in his hands and made me look at him. “That’s why I backed out. I fell in love with you, Marissa, and I still am. I had no clue Justin found you when you left, but after he killed that girl and threatened you I wanted no part in it. I refused to let him hurt you. So when you called me it was my chance to get you away and protect you.”

  He leaned in closer and whispered in my ear, “I’m going to get you out of here. Just hang tight, baby girl.”

  My chin trembled and the tears started to fall. He may not have been responsible for the girl that drugged me or for killing her, but he still played a part in the deception. That was unforgiveable.

  “So, needless to say …” Justin angrily cut in, “… when Alec set his sights on you I knew I had my perfect revenge, much to the dismay of my brother. It was easy though, finding you in Denver. All it took was a simple tracking device attached to the inside of your purse.”

  “How did you get something like that?” I demanded.

  Justin shrugged. “Money talks, Marissa. You can get anything if you have the right amount of money.”

  To Kristian I asked, “So you had no clue about any of this?”

  He shook his head and glared at his brother. “There were many things I had no clue about.”

  Kristian gazed up at me and gripped my hands that were almost too numb to feel anything. I stared at him blankly, not knowing what to feel or think. “I never wanted to hurt you, Marissa. You have to believe me on that, but by the way you’re looking at me now I know you don’t. Whatever happens, I want you to know that I love you and that last night was one of the best nights of my life.”

  Justin’s phone beeped with an incoming text and it drew mine and Kristian’s attention to him. Justin grinned at the phone and got to his feet, tucking the gun in his belt.

  “This is all touching, really, but the fun’s about to begin,” he remarked with a gleam in his eyes.

  Kristian squeezed my hand and stood guard beside my chair. My heart slammed in my chest when I heard a car door shut at the front of the house.

  “He’s here,” Kristian whispered.

  Taking deep, calming breaths, I braced myself for what it would be like to see Alec again. It felt like an eternity of being apart from him when it was actually only just a couple of days. Reluctant, heavy footsteps sounded out from the side of the house, and as if it was in slow motion, Alec sauntered through the side gate and came into view.

  My breath caught in my throat as his gaze landed on me. He stopped cold, and stared at me with such longing and worry that it made my heart break. Dark circles colored the underneath of his eyes and he appeared pale and worn out.

  The guilt inside of me heightened because I knew that he looked like that because of me. I ignored him and ran away when I should’ve trusted him and stayed. I would never forgive myself.

  Justin had the gun in his hand and Alec eyed it warily. “Are you alone?” Justin asked him.

  “Yes,” Alec gritted out through clenched teeth. His fists were tight and he stood rigid and ready for a fight at the other end of the pool. However, his strength was no match for the gun Justin held in his hands.

  Justin started moving closer to me, and both Alec and Kristian bristled. “Now that you’re here, let’s get down to business,” he said keeping his gaze on Alec. “For years I watched as you had everything handed to you on a silver platter. You had no respect for the law or for the women you fucked and screwed over. Lindsey shouldn’t have died that night. It should’ve been you.”

  Alec sighed and lowered his head. “I agree, and not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I did to her. I was stupid, and will pay for it every day of my life.”

  “Yes, you will,” Justin sneered. “I thought I succeeded in your demise when I sabotaged your motorcycle a while back, but for some reason you just won’t die. But then, I figured there were other ways to make you suffer. Ways that would make you feel the same way I do.”

  In the blink of an eye, Justin rushed toward my chair and tried to push me into the water. Kristian interfered, but Justin fired off the gun at him and I heard the shot make contact with his body; he howled in pain. Not knowing if he was okay, I screamed as Kristian went down behind me. Please let him be okay. Alec bolted around the pool, and the last thing I saw before I was pushed into the water were Alec’s wild eyes as he tried to reach me.

  Panicking, I gulped in a huge breath of air before I sunk slowly down underneath the water. My heart was pounding in my ears and I could hear the guys yelling from above. When I reached the bottom of the pool, I was lying sideways on the pool floor, and I tried desperately to tug loose of my restraints.

  Thoughts of my parents crossed through m
y mind, and if I didn’t get out of the water soon I’d be able to see them again. My lungs were screaming at me, burning and constricting, and soon my body would convulse and suck the water into my lungs, drowning me. It was all about to be over; I couldn’t hold on any longer.

  The second I was about to give in to the pain, a set of arms gripped me around the chair and pushed me straight up out of the water. As soon as the air hit me, I sucked in a ragged breath and coughed up the water that had slowly started to drown me. Alec pushed me to the shallow end.

  “I got you, Marissa, hang on. I’m gonna get you out of there,” Alec replied hastily.

  “Alec,” I cried, wishing I could touch him. “I’m so sorry, oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

  Still in the water, Alec pulled out a pocket knife and snipped the cable ties at my wrists and dunked under the water to get the ties at my ankles. Since I could barely move my hands or fingers, Alec lifted me under my legs and carried me out of the water.

  Behind us, Kristian was battling it out with his brother. Blood trailed down his leg, and I breathed a sigh of relief that he wasn’t given a fatal shot; it was only a leg wound, but he needed help. Alec laid me down on the ground and took my face in his hands.

  He searched over me quickly before crushing his lips to mine, tasting me greedily. “Fuck, I’m so glad you’re okay. Don’t you ever run off like that again,” he growled angrily.

  Bursting out crying, I wrapped my arms around his neck and clung to him. “I’m so stupid,” I sobbed angrily. “I should never have doubted you. Please say you forgive me.”

  Peering over his shoulder, Kristian was losing the fight and growing weaker with each punch. As much as I wanted to talk to Alec, Kristian needed help, badly. “We need to help Kristian,” I insisted desperately. “We can’t leave him. He may not be innocent, but he never wanted to hurt me.”

  Alec scowled. “He doesn’t deserve the help, but I’ll do it for you. I need you to get out of here and out of sight. I don’t know what Justin will do if he finds you. The police will be here soon.”