Alluring Surrender

by Skye Turner

  As we get to the living room, he points to the couch and tells both of us to sit down. We do and he smiles. It’s eerie and it’s filled with malice. His eyes, the color of Cruz’s, are wild. As he walks around, he picks up photos placed around the room. Most are of Cruz or of Cruz and Corrin. He mutters as he walks. Finally he stops on one photo. He picks it up and studies it and then he turns it around so we can see. It’s a photo of the guys from the band. They appear to be much younger, and are holding a piece of paper in their hands and all are smiling at the camera. Even Cruz.

  Lucian says, “My son. I’m so, so very… proud of him.” Pointing at me, he says, “Take your phone out. We have to make a phone call.”

  Thinking fast, I make a show of searching my pockets. “I don’t have it. I’m sorry, I think I left it in the truck.”

  It’s in my sweatshirt pocket, but I’m not calling Cruz. Not until I know what I’m up against here. I need Lucian to tell me his plans. He grins at me and a chill skates down my spine. He sits down across from us and crosses his ankles as if he’s at the country club. “Well let’s see… I’ve been in prison for a long time.” He looks me over and leers. “A very long time.” I hold in a shudder. “While I was rotting there, with no visitors, no companionship, no nothing except my cold, sterile cell, I would hear all about this amazing new band. This huge and famous band that was sweeping the country. Imagine my surprise when I found out my son was in the band. Now, I knew I had a son.” He looks straight at Corrin. “Yes, I’d been informed that I’d impregnated you, Corrin, in our night of fun and passion.” She shrinks back on the couch and the urge to attack him for what he’s doing to her is pressing against me, trying desperately to get out. “Where was I?” He smiles coldly and his eyes twinkle. “Oh yes, I played my part well. I always was a miraculous actor. My face makes people want to believe me. So, I played them. I played them all. I…” He finger quotes, “found Jesus and started mentoring other prisoners. I even got to give seminars to adolescents at high schools.” My look of disgust must be adamant on my face. He laughs shrilly. “Yes, can you believe how gullible people are?!

  “I was up for parole and I was such a model prisoner who’d turned my life around, they couldn’t wait to let me out.

  “Only, I had no business left. I lost it when I was convicted. I had no money. I used it to try to pay off lawyers and judges. No life waiting for me once I got out. My family cut all ties. They can’t be associated with me. Their names can’t be tarnished. Do you think any of those assholes care that I have nothing left?! But, wait… my son has lots of money. He exists because of me. He owes me some of that money.

  “I was going to play the doting father card. Make him think I gave a shit about him. But no, he refused to meet with me. He refused to take my calls. I engaged you, Corrin. I thought he’s such a pathetic, wounded, momma’s boy that you could talk some sense into him. I put all my faith in you, but you let me down. You FAILED me!”

  He jumps up and gets into her face as he screams at her. “He exists because of me. I wanted you. You should have been smart and just taken me up on my advances. I was rich and powerful and I wanted YOU. You should have been grateful for that! If you wouldn’t have rejected me after leading me on, none of this ever would have happened. This is your fault!

  “I’m not going back to prison. I don’t belong there. I’m a Wormer! Why do you think I’m here right now?!” He’s screaming and his voice is getting higher and higher. “No one can control me. Even after everything you did to me, everything you took from me… I’m powerful! I can’t be touched. Look at you both… I’m in control here. I’m the man. I’m a god and you will not fail me again, Corrin. You should have just accepted your fate. You were meant to be mine!”

  Corrin is shaking and crying on the couch as he berates her with his lunacy.

  Oh my God. He’s completely deranged. He really thinks it’s her fault. He’s a sociopath. Oh my God.

  Corrin raises her head, straightens her back, and looks him square in the eyes. “I did not lead you on, Lucian. I never reciprocated your advances. I told you as plainly as I could that I was not interested in you. Yet, you were fixated on me. You convinced yourself that you could take what you wanted. You raped me! You raped me and beat me, Lucian. Yes, I got pregnant, but that sweet boy is nothing like you. He’s my son. Mine. He owes you nothing. No one owes you a damn thing. You made a choice and you still fail to accept responsibility. You have no remorse for your actions.

  “Twenty-five years in prison for your crimes and instead of learning from them… Instead of accepting Jesus and changing your life… You decided to make a mockery of everything and commit more crimes.

  A god? You’re not a god… you’re not even a man.

  “My son is not the pathetic one, Lucian. You are!”

  Lucian’s hand whips out, “Bitch!” and he smacks Corrin in the head with the butt of the gun. She slumps to the side, unconscious with blood trickling down her temple.

  Immediately, I jump up and check her pulse.

  He jerks my arm… hard and pops it out of its socket. I scream out in unimaginable pain. Before I can catch my breath, he’s in my face. “Shut up. You shut up, you dumb bitch. You see what she made me do! We’re finding a phone and we’re calling, Cruz. That disgraceful abomination is going to give me what he owes me.”

  My eyes are crossing from the pain in my shoulder, but I know I can’t call Cruz. If I do, he’ll come here. He’ll come here and it will not end well for him. Lucian will kill him. I see that. I see it clearly. I can’t allow that to happen.

  Shaking my head, I smile at him. “Call him yourself, you pathetic fucker.”

  He screams in rage and jerks me forward by my dislocated arm. My phone falls out of my pocket and slides across the floor, stopping as it hits the coffee table leg. I watch it… then, pass out…

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Cruz

  Tifanie has been gone for hours. Even with her going across the river to get one of her family’s cars, she should have been able to get back here with my momma by now.

  I’m pacing and checking my phone every ten seconds to see if I’ve missed a phone call or text from either of them.

  Jude and Lexi are at the house now too and Erik and Alec will be here as soon as they can close up Java and Sweeties.

  It’s dusk and as the sky darkens, my worry increases. I have a feeling in my gut. Something is wrong.

  Jude claps me on the shoulder. “Sit down, man. You’re going to wear a hole in the floor. Pacing is not making time go any faster.”

  Turning, I follow him to the couch and sit down. I jump right back up and resume my pacing. “I can’t sit down. Something is wrong. Why aren’t they back yet?”

  Bradi has her phone and is frantically scrolling through something on the screen. She yells out, “Turn on the news. Something is happening.”

  Jessie whips his head toward me and turns on the TV. We settle on a local station and everyone’s jaw drops as the words “Breaking News” flashes in red across the screen.

  A cute blonde reporter is standing in front of my momma’s house and talking into the camera. “Wormer is believed to be in the home. He was released from prison six weeks ago for the brutal rape and assault of Corrin Edwards twenty-five years ago. That assault resulted in the conception of Bayou Stix drummer, Cruz Edwards. Yesterday, Wormer was arrested at this residence for attempted kidnapping, breaking and entering, assault, and parole violation. Cruz Edwards was injured in the altercation. Both Corrin and Cruz Edwards were granted immediate restraining orders against Wormer first thing this morning. It is under investigation as to why Wormer is out on the streets tonight.

  A truck belonging to Senator Bellaforte was found on the street behind Corrin Edwards’ residence. It’s reported that the daughter of Senator Bellaforte is romantically involved with Cruz Edwards. Stay tuned to our station for the latest news. We’re on scene and will closely follow and report on the story.”


  I can’t breathe. Lucian is at my momma’s house?! With her and Tifanie? That’s why they aren’t back.

  Dade jumps up and stares at me with horror on his face. It’s mirrored on the expressions around the room. Clove has tears running down her face and is kissing the baby’s head repeatedly.

  Dade takes out his keys. “Come on. I’m taking you to Corrin’s. Jude, you come too. The rest of you stay here and keep us updated on any information.” He kisses Melonie and points at Liam. “Try to keep everyone calm here and if you hear anything at all… Call me!” He looks at Jessie as the phone starts ringing. “Jessie, you man the phone. Do not give out any info. In fact, take it off the hook.”

  Everyone hops into action and I mindlessly follow them out of the house and into Dade’s Hummer. He looks over and mutters as he backs out of the driveway, “They’re going to be ok. You need to call the cops though and see why you weren’t informed of this shit. You need to call them now!”

  Jude takes my phone out of my limp hand and dials the number before handing it back to me. As it rings, another call comes in on my cell. “Tifanie.”

  My breath catches as I race to answer it. “Tifanie. Are you ok? Where’s my momma? Are y’all together? The news says Lucian has you both in the house!”

  A cold chuckle comes across the line and I drop the phone. Jude grabs it and puts it on speaker. “Well, well, maybe the media is not as ignorant as we make them out to be. Sorry, son, Tifanie can’t talk right now.

  “This is your father and you are going to do something for me.”

  My palms are sweaty and my heart is palpitating. “What the fuck did you do to them? Let me talk to one of them. Right now.”

  He laughs again. “I think not. Besides, even if I wanted to let you talk to them, you can’t. They’re both… napping.”

  My blood goes cold and my head is light. I seriously can’t breathe. “What did you do?”

  “It’s not about what I did. It’s about what I’m going to do if you don’t give me what I want. What you owe me. I need money. A lot of it. I have none thanks to your bitch of a mother and I need some. I need money to get out of here and you’re going to give it to me. Either you pay up, or your mother and lover will both cease to exist. I’ll kill them both. But first, I’ll sample them. It’s been a long time since I’ve sunk into the softness of a woman.”

  Oh my God… Focus, Cruz. You cannot freak the fuck out right now. Stay calm. My head drops back. I have money. I’ll give it to him, but how does he think he’s going to get out of that house?!

  “Fine. Tell me exactly what you need. Don’t touch either one of them. Don’t touch them or you won’t get a dime.”

  “I want ten million dollars. I know you have it. I want it and I want it by today. You’re also going to help me get a clear passage out of here. I won’t savor them both if you give me what I want.”

  “I can get you the money. I can’t do the rest. I’m a rock star, not a magician. I don’t have those kinds of connections, Lucian.”

  “You don’t… but Tifanie’s family does. You’ll make it happen. Had you just stayed in your own pool none of this would be possible. Thanks for dreaming big and succeeding where I failed, son.”

  Jesus.

  Before I can form a thought, he chuckles. “Oh, looks like one of them is waking up. I’ll be in touch. My money and my transportation… you’ll make it happen. On second thought… your girlfriend is so very lovely…”

  He hangs up. I punch the dashboard and Dade and Jude both cuss in frustration. Dade looks at me with fear in his eyes. “Cruz, that man is insane. There’s no way anyone is just going to let him walk out of there after all of this. He won’t touch them. He will never have the chance to get that close. Not with both of them.” He grips the steering wheel as we turn onto my momma’s street… on two wheels.

  Authorities and news crews are everywhere. How are we going to get to her house?!

  A cop stops us and says we can’t get through and we’ll have to turn around due to a dangerous hostage situation. Dade explains that I’m Cruz Edwards and that it’s my momma and girlfriend being held hostage. He gets on his radio and a detective soon walks over. He motions for the barricades to be moved and waves us through. As we park, he meets us at the truck. He asks if Lucian has made contact and with Jude and Dade’s help, I go over the entire conversation in the Hummer.

  The detective cusses as he listens and jots down notes. When we’re done, he looks up. “Ok son, I’m going to need you to help us. I want you to call him back. Tell him you’re getting the money and that you’re working on the way out for him. I need you to keep him engaged as long as possible so we can glean as much information as we possibly can. We know he’s in there with two hostages and we think he’s in the front room, but we need as many details as we can get. We also need to know their statuses. Are they hurt? Has he harmed them? If we can, we need you to talk to at least one of them. Are you up for that?”

  I nod. I’m up for anything if it gets them out of there alive.

  He directs us to a black van and ushers us into the back. He tells Jude and Dade to be completely quiet and then hooks my phone up to a device so the team in the van can also hear the conversation. Once he’s got headphones on and a pad at the ready, he asks, “Are you ready?”

  “I’m ready.” He motions for me to make the call. It rings once and then Lucian answers, “Hello, son. Fancy you calling me here.” He laughs.

  “Lucian. I’ll have the money shortly. It’s a lot of money to round up in a short time. I’m also working on a way to get you out of there, but I need to talk to either Momma or Tifanie first. I need to know they’re both alive.”

  “I don’t think you’re in a position to tell me to do a thing, Cruz.”

  I look at the detective and he motions for me to keep the conversation going. “No, I’m not. But I’m working with you. I’m doing what you want. I just need to know that both of the women in there are ok. I’m cooperating, Lucian. Give me this. I need to know.”

  He mutters and we can hear him drag something then a weak, “Cruz? Cruz, is that you?” comes over the line.

  My heart is pounding out of my chest at her voice. “Hey, Tifanie. Yes, it’s me. Working on getting you out of there. Are you and Momma ok?”

  “We’re both alive. He’s…”

  A loud clatter is heard and then a crash. We can hear Lucian’s roar and Tifanie curses. Another crash is heard and then grunting. We don’t know what’s happening. All we hear is noise and the sound of someone being hit. Dear God, please let Tifanie and Momma be ok.

  A painful groan comes over the line, along with a large weight hitting something and then silence.

  What just happened?

  I holler into the phone. “Tifanie! What’s going on? What’s happening? Dear God… TIFANIE!!”

  A breathless curse and then heavy breathing is on the line. “I’m ok. Well, no, I’m probably not. But Lucian, yeah, not so much. His head is angled funny, but I can’t get across the room to check for a pulse. Send them in. Send the team in. Corrin is hurt. We need assistance in here.”

  Before she’s done talking, I’m racing across the street and through neighboring yards. Cops and SWAT are heavy on my heels, screaming at me to stay back and that a team has gone in through the back. I ignore them and race for the front door. When I get there, I don’t stop to think, I just kick it in. Before I can enter, strong arms pull me back. Willis, the cop from yesterday that Tifanie knows, is there breathing hard with sweat dripping down his face. “Stop, man. I know you want to get in there, but stop. Let them go first. They’re trained.”

  Shaking his arm off, I duck under it and shove him with a quick, “Sorry, man,” and run into the house. Fuck that. That’s my family. I’m going in.

  As I enter the living room, my eyes scan the room. A paramedic has an oxygen mask on my momma and she has blood trickling down her cheek from a large knot and cut on her forehead. They’re loading her onto a stretch
er. More paramedics are hovering over someone on the ground. I gasp when I see her. Her arm is hanging at a weird angle and her face is busted up. There’s blood everywhere and her face is black and blue. The paramedics are fighting with her to lie down, but she’s refusing and trying to sit up. Finally one of them helps her and she almost falls over. He catches her. “Tifanie, your arm is broken, your shoulder is dislocated, your freaking leg is at least fractured, blood is running freely out of your broken nose, and you have a concussion. You did all you could! You probably saved both of your lives, now sit your stubborn ass down!”

  Oh my God. What did he do to them? She’s hurt like that. Those are some serious injuries.

  The rage is racing through my veins and I just want to kill him. I want to torture him for what he’s put these two women who mean the most to me through. How could he do this to the women I love?!

  Roaring, I cross the room to the other side, near the fireplace where a large crowd is gathered around someone on the ground. It has to be Lucian. Get away from him! I’m going to kill him.

  As I approach, ready to strangle Lucian Wormer after I plan on beating him unconscious, I see them place the white sheet over his face as his blue eyes stare unseeingly at the popcorn on my momma’s ceiling.

  WHAT?! He’s dead?

  The detective looks up. “He’s dead.”

  My eyes bug out and my mouth refuses to function. He’s dead?! How can he be dead?

  Responding to my silent question, he inclines his head to Tifanie who’s being fastened onto a stretcher. “Miss Jeffries. She fought with him over the phone and apparently is a black belt. She hit him in the throat to halt his attack and then kicked him in the chest making him lose his balance and fly into the brick fireplace. He broke his neck on the mantle on impact.”

  What the fuck?! My momma and girlfriend are being loaded into ambulances after being held hostage and assaulted by my rapist sperm donor who is now dead on the floor of my momma’s living room after my girlfriend fought with him.