Dark Confessions

by Angie Sandro

  Dena smiles back. “I guess this situation qualifies. Your father-in-law and my dad probably would’ve been great friends, or the bitterest of enemies.”

  We file into the largest cabin. It’s a single room with a king-size bed and a modern kitchenette. A bathroom was added on in the seventies. In addition to the other goods, I keep a stocked cabinet of medical supplies. Estrada practically convulses when he sees the bandages and antiseptic. At least he’s just an amoral a-hole. He seems genuinely concerned for his patient.

  George has regained consciousness. He lies on his side in the bed, cracking jokes to make Ivy smile. The poor girl’s about done in herself. She’s stretched out on the bed beside him, but sits up with a groan when we come into the room.

  Landry goes to the bedside. “Hey, Deputy Dawg, ’bout time you woke up.”

  “Getting shot takes a lot out of a guy.” His red-rimmed gaze turns to Dena and Anders. “I heard you two were MIA. Glad you made it back safely.”

  Dena laughs, but her eyes seem a bit watery. “I’m a fabulous swimmer.” She leans down to give him a gentle hug and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, “Anders, on the other hand, can’t even doggie paddle.”

  “Hey—” Anders tries to protest, but everyone’s laughing too hard for him to be heard.

  Landry slaps the detective on the back. “Don’t even try to deny it. Dena dragged him out of the lake like a water-soaked log. You should’ve seen her, kicking her little feet for all she’s worth.”

  I laugh, nodding. “I’ve never been so impressed in my entire life. The best part was when Dena hauled off and punched a gator on the nose without losing speed. It was a sight to behold.”

  Dena’s cheeks redden like she’d eaten a bowl of George’s aunt’s habanero chili. “What else could I do?”

  Landry pats her on the head. “You did fine, little cuz.” He lets out a huge yawn, which triggers my own. “Well, I don’t mean to break up the happy reunion, but I’m busted. Just point me toward my cabin so I can catch some more sleep.” His voice turns wistful. “Maybe Mala will visit.”

  And just like that our mood deflates.

  I straighten my damp shirt, but it’s beyond repair. We need to clean up and then get some rest to prepare for the coming battle. “Estrada, you’ll stay here to monitor George’s condition. Anders, you and I will rotate guard duty. Sound good?”

  The group’s murmured agreement is broken by Ferdinand. He blocks the door. “First, I need everyone’s help with a protection spell.” He glances at Ivy. “Are you up for this?”

  Ivy nods and pulls off her backpack. “I brought everything we need to cast the spell. I just hope it’s enough.” She hands her father a jar of red dust.

  My stomach clenches. “We’re really doing this? Casting a spell?” I’ve never believed in magic. I go to church. I pray to be a good person. To do my job and keep my community safe. I’m not sure if my prayers have ever been answered, but I need to believe or be lost to my sorrow. But I don’t know what else to do to keep us safe. Maybe magic is the answer. “I’ve never thought to ask for a miracle, but we need one right now, don’t we?”

  The silence from my fellow refugees is all the answer I need.

  CHAPTER 10

  Ferdinand

  No Incentive Needed

  Everyone except Estrada and George files outside to wait while Ivy and I draw in the mud a cross-sectioned circle representing the island. Ivy will tap into the ley lines surrounding this place and use the energy to erect an invisible shield to protect us. The veil between our world and the other side is thin here. It affects everyone in the circle differently. Anders almost glows with the energy siphoning into him, while Dena throws her head back, soaking it in with a delighted smile. Elizabeth fidgets at my side, like she’d rather be in a standoff with a psycho killer than here.

  And Ivy? Well, my daughter’s hanging on to consciousness by her black lacquered fingernails. Her eyelids droop as she finishes laying the ingredients for the spell at the four corners in the circle. Each ingredient represents the four elements: a bag of graveyard dirt for earth, a burning candle for fire, a bowl of water, and a bundle of burning sage representing air and cleansing the tainted island’s energy. Each ingredient is positioned to intersect with the lines of energy flowing through Bayou du Sang.

  The spirits of the dead, restless slaves who toiled and died upon this piece of earth for centuries, hover at the edges of sight. Landry stands with his arms wrapped around himself and stares at the ground. The occasional shiver shakes his shoulders, as if ghostly hands stroke his flesh. I’ve never been happier to be unable to peer into the spirit world. Given Landry’s reaction, it must be a ghastly sight.

  “Hold hands,” Ivy says. She waits until fumbling fingers find each other in the twilight. “Okay, I’ve only done this spell once. Aunt Magnolia said I butchered it, but I figure something is better than nothing.”

  Elizabeth squeezes my right hand. Shit. She caught the bit about Aunt Magnolia. Explanations are long overdue, but they won’t be coming from me. Not until we find Mala and she breaks the spell holding me silent. ’Course, Ivy isn’t constrained by the same blood bond. She can spill whatever secrets she wants without being cursed.

  I glance at Elizabeth’s averted face. She stares at the constellations overhead. Their light transfers into the dark depths of her eyes, like they hold the universe within. On my left, Ivy sucks in a breath. “I’ll pull the energy from the earth, Dad, but you’ll have to direct it into the circle. Do it fast. Fighting off the witch drained most of my strength.”

  “I got your back, baby girl.”

  “Gawd, stop calling me that. I’ll be twenty-two next month.” She pouts, but I know this pet name doesn’t annoy her as much as when I call her bulldog because of the chubby cheeks she had as a baby.

  Those same cheeks puff as she releases a deep breath, and I turn my head to hide my smile. She chants the incantation. The words roll off her tongue, ebbing and flowing like the wind, which whips up around us. She draws in energy from the trees, the grass, the sky, until it crackles and pops. Her hair rises from the power. So do the hairs on my arms. All of us in the circle feel the tickle in our bones as we siphon the power of nature.

  The intensity of the gusting wind almost knocks us over as nature protests. Unnatural shrieks rend the air as spirits flee. Silvery blue orbs of light dart in all directions, trying to escape, but are sucked into the vortex wielded by my daughter.

  Ivy screams, gripping my hand. “Dad! Now.”

  I snatch the gathered energy from her and send it racing through the ground. The earth vibrates beneath my feet, powered by the ley line. I sigh. “It’s done. We should be hidden for a day, at least.”

  Elizabeth steps in to my side and slides her arms around my waist. God, she feels good. She smells of smoke, lightly tinted with her unique honeysuckle and vanilla musk. My body reacts with each breath, and I want nothing more than to taste every inch of her.

  But now isn’t the time. She still needs to get everyone settled for the night. Patience has never been my strong suit. I tend to take what I want. That’s how I got myself tied to Magnolia in the first place. She promised to give me a life free from the squalor I grew up in in Port-au-Prince. She kept her end of the bargain but used me to do her dirty work. Now here I am. Full of regret. And shame.

  My arms drop from around Elizabeth. I groan at the loss of her warmth and energy, physically hurting like I’ve cut out my own liver.

  “You look exhausted,” she says, eyes dancing with unspoken promises. “Go into the second cabin and wait for me.” She leaves me with a pat on the ass.

  The only thing I see when I enter the cabin is the queen-size bed. It’s big enough for two, though maybe a bit short. But I don’t care. I sink down on the edge. My tight muscles unknot, and for the first time today, I relax my guard.

  When Elizabeth returns, I’m half sitting on the bed, with my shoes and socks off. I’d planned on showering first,
but I couldn’t dredge up the energy to unbutton my pants. How long I’ve stared at a knot on the log wall, I couldn’t say. I’m beat.

  Elizabeth closes the door and leans against it. Her hooded eyes study my face. Whatever she’s thinking remains hidden behind her traditional expressionless mask. She could be cussing me out or undressing me in her thoughts. Frankly, I prefer the latter since I’d have her buck naked and pinned to the bed by now if I weren’t so exhausted.

  “Anders and Dena said they’d take first watch over Estrada.”

  “Huh?” Her words slowly fill the Swiss cheese–size holes in my brain. “Oh, right. Estrada. That’s…” Nice. I shrug, unable to pretend to give two fucks about Estrada. If the doc runs, he’ll be stumbling around the island in the dark. He doesn’t know about the spare boat. And I’m not obligated to fish him out of a gator’s gullet if I don’t know he’s being eaten.

  Elizabeth’s eyelashes fan down to conceal her eyes, but her lips quirk in a slow-burning smile that kicks my sluggish heartbeat up a notch. “They’ll wake us at midnight.” She smooths her wrinkled shirt across her stomach, then slides her hand down her thigh. My cock twitches in response. I don’t have to close my eyes to imagine her warm palm wrapping around its length. Or feel her hot breath as her lips circle my shaft.

  Elizabeth’s full lips move, and I force myself to pay attention. “I put Landry and Ivy in the third cabin. There’s two sets of bunk beds. They’re probably already sacked out for the night. That means we’ve got a few hours to ourselves.”

  The air in the room thickens. I drag in a ragged breath, and smoky, rich honeysuckle assaults my senses. She’s destroying my control without taking a step away from the door. My abs clench, and I lean forward, propping my elbows on my knees and crossing my hands in front of the growing bulge in my pants. I brush sweat from my brow with an upraised shoulder. “Good,” I say, voice gravelly. “They need the rest.”

  Need. Damn it all to hell. I want her, in her, but the dark circles under her chocolate eyes show her exhaustion. She’ll never admit defeat. Even after being shot at and blown up, she played the mama bear, protecting her cubs. Now that she’s gotten everyone else settled, she should sit down and rest, but she won’t. It’s not in her nature.

  Well, I can play the Big Bad Papa, and I’ll get her settled in just right.

  Time for her to be taken care of.

  I tip my chin toward the tiny bathroom. “Why don’t you shower first? I’ll take mine once I whip you up something to eat and tuck you into bed.” I finally look around the cabin. The single bedroom holds nothing but a dresser and a cabinet with a microwave on top. With a scowl, I face Elizabeth, who studies me with a raised eyebrow. “No stove?”

  Her sigh is epic. She shoves off the door. “Mr. Lafitte, don’t tell me you’re reneging on your promises.”

  My mind stutters. “Promises…?”

  “Are you implying I’m forgettable?” She sounds pissed, or maybe exasperated? Hell, I can’t tell. Her damp shirt strains against her bra. A hint of pink shows through a gap in front where she’s lost a button. My fingers flex, itching to rip open the fabric. A few metal clasps won’t stop me from exposing her beautiful breasts. Breasts that are steadily growing larger—no, closer. Oh hell, only a few more steps and they’ll be within licking distance. She stalks across the room.

  I swallow hard, tearing my gaze from her breasts. But instead of looking up, which would’ve been safer, my eyes drop. My chest tightens, and I stare, hypnotized by the sexy sway of her hips. A finger, burning hot as a match, lifts my chin. I meet Elizabeth’s gaze, and I swear the promise I see in her eyes sparkles like fireworks on the Fourth of July. She wrecks my control with one light touch. I don’t know if I can hold back. I’m close to throwing my gentlemanly promise into the fucking swamp.

  I draw in a deep breath, quivering.

  Elizabeth’s lips curl. Satisfaction oozes from her. She knows exactly how to play me. I lean in to her, not a bit ashamed of my need to taste her. All of her. Let her win this round. I’m enjoying every minute of our game.

  “Not so fast, Mr. Lafitte.” She’s breathing quickly but straddles my outstretched legs. Her open palm strikes my chest, and I fall back to bounce against the mattress. “If your memory is this bad, you obviously need some rest.”

  She tries to step across my legs to head for the bathroom, but I grab her wrist. A quick yank brings her tumbling across the length of my body. I wrap my arms around her narrow waist, holding her more firmly than iron shackles. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Elizabeth’s legs slowly slide up on either side of my hips. Her core rubs against my swollen crotch as she pushes down. Warm breath blows across my neck, and I hold my breath, waiting for the soft press of her lips. Each heartbeat acts as the ticking of a clock, stretching out the moment.

  By the time she nuzzles her nose against the sensitive skin behind my ear, I’m quivering with tension. My erection nudges against her, and she rocks on top of my response. My hips instinctively thrust against her, my cock straining against my jeans for release. I crave her warmth. I want to savor this magical connection between us. It transcends the physical, delving into unexplored territory. I’ve never felt like this before.

  Elizabeth’s eyes dance. The tease. “You said you’re tired. I wouldn’t want you falling asleep while I’m in the middle of pleasuring you. It’s best if we’re rested for our first time.”

  Her words echo the ones I’d spoken on the boat. Obviously that little game backfired. “I’m awake.”

  Elizabeth wiggles, sending a shock of pain through my throbbing length. “So I feel. What about the rest of you?”

  Lord, I don’t know how much longer I can hold off. She’s about to send me over the edge without even copping a feel. I tell her the truth. “Woman, you’re like a shot of caffeine directly to my system.”

  “Good.” She shoves upright, breaking my hold around her waist. “Let’s go shower.”

  She’s got to be kidding. My elbows shove into the mattress as I lean up. “Now?”

  “Yes. We both stink.”

  I stare at her, waiting for the teasing light to flash in her eyes. Any minute, she’ll continue where she left off. Or not. Her back turns. “Let’s go.”

  “No.”

  She throws a look over her shoulder. “Do you need an extra incentive?”

  I muffle my snort. The haze of lust begins to dissipate, and I’m able to think the situation through. Maybe my original plan isn’t a total bust. A little space and time to catch my breath will give me a chance to regain control. If she’d stayed, I wouldn’t have been able to restrain myself much longer.

  Elizabeth’s shirt slides down her shoulders, then puddles on the floor. I only have a split second to realize she’s stripping before the pink camisole shimmies above her head. She tosses it over her shoulder. I snatch it from the air, bringing it to my nose and inhaling her scent. The satiny fabric slips from my fingers and falls to the ground. My gaze travels across the smooth expanse of her naked back. Her arms rise over her head in a sinuous stretch. Her smooth mahogany skin covers lean muscles. My woman obviously works out for her job. She exudes strength from her head to her tiny toes. Her tight ass would fit perfectly in my large hands. I want to explore every inch of her long legs before wrapping them around me as I enter her. This woman really was made for me. What I find even more astonishing is that she’s forgiven me. Desires me.

  And is waiting at the bathroom door for me to get off my ass and come to her.

  When I don’t move—can’t move—she sighs. “I’ll be out soon.”

  The door closes.

  What the hell? I throw my arm over my eyes. What’s holding me back? ’Cause I really don’t understand why the act of joining with her terrifies me. I want her. More than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone in my life. I want to fuck her until she comes, crying out my name. Then I want to make slow, passionate love to her, searing our souls together. Yet my heart races
at the thought of crossing the invisible line. The one there’s no going back from. I know what I want, what I’m committing myself to, but I don’t know what I’m afraid of.

  My gaze turns toward the door. I picture her naked. Standing in the shower as warm water slides across her, dripping from pebbled nipples, pooling across her navel, wetting the curls between her thighs. I want to lick the water from her body, one slow inch at a time, savoring the liquid on my tongue. Tasting her unique flavor.

  I’m an idiot. I cross the tiny room in four strides and throw open the door. A blast of warm mist from the shower hits my face, mixing with the humidity in the room. My hands tremble as I unbutton my jeans and let them drop, kicking them into a corner. Then I lift my shirt over my head. I pad across the linoleum, barely daring to breathe in anticipation, and slide open the shower curtain.

  I freeze, mouth open. Bess stands with her head propped up on arms folded on the slick tiles. Water washes across her skin, giving it an unearthly shine.

  “Mon Dieu, merci.” I breathe out the thanks, never meaning it so much in my life. My fantasies hold nothing to reality. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. She glows. My chest tightens, pulsing, and I’m finally face-to-face with the truth of my fear. I’m seeing her, my Bess, truly seeing every exposed inch of her through the haze of my emotions: lust, love, a tangled pain that both hurts and soothes my heart.

  I’ve crossed the emotional point of no return, and I won’t ever be the same.

  Bess’s head lifts. Her eyes sweep over me, from head to toe. A smile flickers across her full lips. “Don’t stand there letting out all the hot air.” Her husky voice rakes across my sensitive skin. I study her in return, starting with her beautiful breasts, toned stomach, and long legs. “Damn, woman, you’re fine.”