Laughter rang abundantly in the late-night air. They laughed and talked and laughed some more. When they finally found their way back to London’s apartment they were exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep. It was not lost on either of them that the following day was going to be long as they prepared for trial, ensuring they had left no detail unchecked.
Collin had already begun to doze when London stepped out of the bathroom after a quick shower. He lay across her bed, the towel from his own shower wrapped tightly around his waist. The sight of him made her smile, comfort coming in massive doses. She tapped him gently, hating to disturb his rest, but he only smiled as he crawled under the blankets, laid his head on a pillow and fell back to sleep.
Her phone rang, surprising her. She wasn’t expecting anyone to be calling her at such a late hour. The display on the caller ID read Unknown. She pushed the button to reject the call and just seconds later it rang a second time. She waited and let it go to voice mail. When the indicator light flashed, she entered her code to access her messages and listened. Twenty-four seconds of breathing and then silence echoed over the phone line.
Shutting the device completely off, she turned to Collin, who had begun to snore softly. For reasons she would never be able to explain, his being there suddenly didn’t have her feeling so at ease. Rising from the bed, she moved to check the locks and the alarm one more time.
* * *
Collin instinctively knew something was amiss. Something London wasn’t eager to talk about. He cut an eye at her as they pulled out of the parking lot into traffic headed to work. She’d risen earlier than normal and was dressed and waiting when he rolled out of bed. She’d sat alone in her kitchen, a cup of coffee pressed between her palms. She’d looked lost and frustrated, her brow furrowed in thought.
“Good morning,” he’d said, his singsong tone ringing loudly through the early-morning air.
London had barely given him a look, the faintest of smiles greeting him back. “We need to get moving,” she’d answered. “I have a list of things I need to do to get ready for trial tomorrow.”
“Would you like some breakfast?” he’d questioned as he moved to her side and kissed her cheek. “I make a mean omelet!”
London had shaken her head. “I’m not hungry. We just need to get going, please.”
Despite his efforts to engage her, she’d been somber and distant, focused on something that was still weighing heavily on her spirit. After dressing quickly, they were out the door and headed toward the office.
He turned off the radio and silence filled the car. “What’s wrong, London?”
She turned to look at him, the gesture abrupt as his question pulled her from her thoughts. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. What did you say?”
Collin chuckled softly, “I asked what’s wrong with you. And don’t tell me there’s nothing the matter. Because I know something’s not right. So, talk to me. Please!”
London blew a heavy sigh, the weight of it seeming to fill the interior of the car. Concern tinted his expression as his eyes shifted between the road and her.
“It’s probably nothing...” she started.
“Let me decide that for myself.”
She took a breath, then told him about the calls that had come in the night before.
“And no one was on the other end or left a message?”
She nodded. “And I know that doesn’t sound like anything to be concerned about, that it was probably just a wrong number, but when I checked my phone this morning there were thirty-two missed calls and blank messages from that unknown number.”
Collin nodded. “And you think it might be Victor Wells?”
There was a deafening pause. London hadn’t wanted to say his name or give credence to the idea that Victor was once again stalking her. That he was back, determined to make her life miserable. That maybe he’d decided to make good on his claim to do her irreparable harm. She didn’t want to believe it was Victor but she intuitively suspected Victor was knee-deep in the midst of it all. Something in her gut suddenly had her on guard and suspicious. She took another deep breath.
“I don’t know. I just know it’s odd,” she finally said.
Collin fell into his own thoughts, not quite sure what to surmise from the situation. Clearly, it had London on edge, and that in and of itself had twisted a knot in his stomach. London being happy was foremost in his mind and if she had concerns, then so did he. He reached a hand out and wrapped his fingers around her forearm. He squeezed it gently, his touch heated and encouraging. “Let it go for now. I’ll make some calls when we get to the office and see if we can find something out. Until we’re certain, I don’t want you to panic. Okay?”
London gave him the faintest smile. She wanted to trust him, to believe that he could make it all okay. She wanted to, but her history with Victor wouldn’t let her. She pressed her hand against his. “I love you, Collin,” she said softly.
Collin nodded. “I love you, too, London.”
* * *
Once they were in the office, it was all hands on deck preparing for trial. Collin scrutinized all the state’s evidence obtained during discovery. He reviewed the charging documents, police reports, lab tests and the witness statements. He made sure he hadn’t missed anything, double-checking the detailed list of inconsistencies and wrongdoings he’d previously compiled. He and London studied the new evidence supplied by their independent investigators, reevaluating and verifying every known fact of the case. Despite having done the same things previously, neither was satisfied until the wealth of information was committed to memory.
By midafternoon they knew they were as prepared as they would ever be. Collin leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped behind his neck to alleviate the tension in his neck and shoulders. London had gone to the restroom, her menstrual cycle dropping a week early from the stress. While she was gone from the conference room, he slipped into his own office to make that call he’d promised.
Private investigator Vanessa Long answered on the third ring, her deep alto voice chiming warmly over the line. Vanessa had been a part of the Stallion family since Collin’s father and uncles had been in elementary school. Best friends with his uncle Mark, Vanessa and the Stallion clan had grown up together. For a brief moment, his uncle Mark and the woman had been boyfriend and girlfriend, the rest of the family thinking the two would end up together. College changed the dynamics of their relationship when Vanessa admitted her predilection for women. Each of the Stallion men had only been slightly disturbed when their family friend finally came out about her sexuality. But over time they had all found their balance, Vanessa acting as if she were just one of the boys and the Stallion men treating her so. The year Collin’s parents had married, Vanessa had been pregnant with her son, Vaughan. She’d been a single mother running one of the most successful private investigation firms in the state. The Stallions often utilized her services for business, trusting her efforts whenever they were needed.
“Long and Associates. This is Vanessa.”
“Aunt Vanessa, hey. It’s Collin.”
“Collin? Hey, baby! How are you? Where are you? What’s wrong?”
Collin laughed, “Nothing’s wrong. I’m calling you from work actually,” he said as he gave her a quick update on what he’d been up to since returning home from college.
“That’s why you should call me more often. I don’t hear from you for months and I immediately get nervous.”
“Sorry about that. The reason I’m calling, though, is I could use your help.”
“Whatever you need, baby! Tell me what’s going on.”
It took a few short minutes to update the woman, briefly detailing London’s history with her ex and her concerns about the unknown calls. Vanessa listened, and Collin knew she was taking notes, jotting everything she deemed important on a yellow-lined legal pad.
“What’s her cell phone number?” Vanessa asked.
Collin recited the ten-digit number. As he did, London passed his door and gestured for his attention. He cupped his palm over the phone receiver.
“You about ready to leave?”
He nodded. “Give me one more minute.”
London nodded and turned back toward the conference room. He went back to his conversation. Vanessa was repeating the phone number, verifying she’d gotten it right.
“That’s correct.”
“Let me do some digging. And do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“Tell your friend not to go home for a few days. Just to be safe.”
“You think she might have a problem?”
“I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. Men who are abusive are nothing to play around with. If he’s been as violent toward her as she alleges, then that means he’s unpredictable.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure she stays safe.”
His aunt chuckled, noting the concern in his tone. “It’s like that, is it? My, my, my! I can’t wait to meet this friend of yours! You know she’ll have to pass my approval, right?”
Collin laughed, “I think you’ll like her. She’s pretty special.”
“I’m sure I will. I’ll give you a call as soon as I have some information. Until then, you two keep yourselves safe.”
“We will. Thank you.”
Collin disconnected the call. He cleared his desk and reached for his briefcase. He was headed back to the conference room when a commotion rang through the office. Felicia was hurrying from the other direction, followed by a delivery person carrying a large bouquet of flowers. There was a moment of amusement until he realized there were ten delivery people in total, each juggling two or three floral arrangements, each one larger than the other. He and the flower people walked into the room at the same time.
The look on London’s face was chilling. The color had drained from her face and she’d begun to shake. Tears misted her eyes and there was no missing that she was petrified. He moved swiftly to her side, shielding her from view, as Felicia gushed excitedly about the delivery.
“London, they say all these flowers are for you! Who sent you flowers?” she asked as she went searching for a note card. “This is amazing!”
Collin cupped her face in his hands as the first tears rained over her cheeks. “Let’s go,” he commanded, his voice low. “It’s going to be fine.”
“It’s Victor,” she whispered, clutching the front of his shirt. “He’s going to kill me!”
Collin shook his head. “Hold it together, baby. Victor isn’t going to do anything. Trust me!”
London met the intense stare he was giving her. She didn’t have a clue how long they stood together, staring at each other, but his gaze was soothing, and she instantly felt her anxiety beginning to lift. She nodded her head. “Okay,” she said as she took two deep inhales of air. “I’m okay.”
Collin nodded. He swiped the tears from her face, and when he was certain she’d regained control of her emotions, he stepped to the side. He turned and gave Felicia the brightest smile he could muster.
The woman eyed the two of them curiously.
London rolled her eyes skyward. “Attorney Stallion has quite the sense of humor,” she said. “He’s already celebrating our win and we haven’t made it to court yet.”
“You sent her flowers?” Felicia asked.
Collin laughed, “I’m good like that!”
“Aw, sookie sookie, now!” she said, a cheesy grin filling her face.
“Leave it alone, Felicia,” London chimed.
“I just want to know if this means you two are official. Because Paula and I know you’ve been seeing each other. Even when you were denying it, we knew.”
“It means,” London said as she swept by her friend and headed to the door, “that Mr. Stallion is quite the force to be reckoned with.”
“I know that’s right,” Felicia said, her arms folded over her chest as she looked him up and down.
“Attorney Stallion and I are gone for the rest of the day,” London said. “We’re going straight to the courthouse in the morning. Just call my cell phone if anyone needs us,” she said.
Felicia nodded. She reached to give London a hug. “Knock ’em dead tomorrow. You’ve got this. Oh, and Perry asked me to tell you that he will meet you two in the morning. He had a board meeting this afternoon, so he didn’t come in today.”
London hugged her friend back. “Thank you.”
“Oh, and here. There was one card, although you probably don’t need it now, right?”
London winced ever so slightly as she took the note card and pushed it into the pocket of her slacks. “Thanks.”
Felicia pointed her finger at Collin. “Take care of my friend or we will hurt you!”
Paula suddenly rushed into the room. “Who’s hurting who? And where did all these flowers come from?”
“Girl!” Felicia exclaimed to their bestie as she waved goodbye to the couple. “Do I have some tea for you!”
Chapter 11
After a quick trip to her apartment to throw some clothes into a small suitcase, Collin and London headed to his house. While she was packing, Collin had called Vanessa to tell her about the floral delivery. Now he sat, twisting the note card in his hands, ire rising slowly from the pit of his stomach.
The card had been printed in bold black ink. Three threatening lines. “I have a bullet with Stallion’s name on it. Yours, too. I have my eye on you.” He’d read it over and over again, not at all amused. His aunt Vanessa hadn’t been thrilled by it either, admonishing him to be careful. Now he debated whether or not to tell his parents.
London came out of the bathroom, stopping short when she spied him. They locked gazes as he stood up and slid the card into his back pocket. She sighed, a heavy gust of air rushing past her lips.
“He always sent flowers before he beat me,” she said. “He got some sort of perverse thrill out of it. How many he sent and how bad the beating would be depended on what I’d done. One bouquet, and maybe it would only be a few slaps. Large bouquets meant the beating would be worse.”
“He’s not going to hurt you, London. I won’t let that happen.”
London moved into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist. He hugged her, and she held on as if her life depended on it, because in some ways it did. There was an abrupt knock on the front door and his brother, Jake, suddenly screamed his name, interrupting the moment.
London laughed as she took a step back. Collin shook his head. He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the living room. The guesthouse was a spacious twelve-hundred-square-foot cottage with hardwoods and an open floor plan. It had a sizable chef’s kitchen with forty-two-inch cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Double ovens, a gas cooktop, tile backsplash and a wealth of counter space made it highly desirable. There was also a double-sided fireplace between the living room and dining area. The oversize master suite featured a tray ceiling, and a large sitting area framed by pillars that he used as a home office. There were large walk-in closets and the master bath featured a massive soaking tub and a separate glass-and-tile shower with a sitting bench. A second bedroom and large bath completed the floor plan.
By the time Collin reached the door Jake was letting himself inside. “Collin!”
“Hey, bud, why are you screaming?”
“Hey!” Jake leaned to peer past his big brother, waving at London excitedly. “Mom says to come to the house. Aunt Vanessa is here and needs to talk to you.”
Collin’s eyes widened. “Aunt Vanessa?”
“And Uncle Mark, Uncle John, Uncle Mason and Uncle Luke and everybody. It’s like Sunday breakfast. Everyone is here!”
Collin cussed. He tossed a look over his shoulder.
Keeping what was going on under wraps was no longer an option. The impromptu family meeting meant his parents already knew. And so did the rest of the Stallion family.
Jake laughed, “You said fuck!”
“Don’t you swear!” Collin admonished. “I shouldn’t have said it. And don’t you tell Mom!”
Jake shook his head vehemently. “It’s cool. Me and London can keep a secret. Right, London?”
“We sure can, Jake!” she said. She sauntered past Collin and extended her hand toward the boy. “Will you walk me to the house, please?”
“Sure!” he said as he took her hand, swinging her arm between them. “I’d show you the shortcut, but we’d have to go through the bushes. You’re a girl, so we’ll go the long way.”
“We will not! I know how to cut through some bushes!” she exclaimed.
Jake grinned. “I like you! I wish my girlfriend was cool like you!”
“Race you!” London said as she tagged him on the shoulder and took off running.
Jake tore after her, laughing hysterically. “Last one there’s a rotten egg, Collin!”
Laughing with them, Collin jumped down the steps, debating how far he planned to let them get ahead before he closed the distance and passed the two of them.
* * *
As the trio entered the home, they found the family seated around the dining room table. Conversation stopped midsentence as everyone inside turned to stare. The moment was suddenly awkward. The look on Katrina Stallion’s face spoke volumes—the matriarch was clearly not happy. London suddenly found herself wishing for a deep hole to crawl into.
Matthew spoke first, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room. “Jake, you and Vaughan head up to your room, please.”
Collin turned, noticing the other boy for the first time. Only a few months older than Jake, Vaughan Long stood a good six inches taller and some forty pounds heavier.
“Vaughan, hey!” Collin said, greeting the kid warmly. The two slapped palms and bumped shoulders. “You’re almost taller than I am!”
A Stallion Dream Page 14
