Texas Hellcat

by Shelley Stringer

  Liam slid in the bed next to me and pulled me over on his chest. “Now, I will be able to sleep. Relax and rest, baby. You’re safe,” he whispered as he placed his lips in my hair.

  Twenty-Two

  Liam didn’t wake me when he left. Before I even had time to call Dr. Orr, Scott knocked on the door and informed me Dr. Orr was on her way up to see me, courtesy of Liam. After an hour talking about the attack, I was able to file it away. Dr. Orr agreed with Liam, however, and insisted I go see Liam’s family doctor that afternoon.

  Scott shadowed my every move. The next morning, against Scott’s wishes, I went back to work. He insisted he drive me instead of taking my own car. He’d been very protective and attentive in Liam’s absence, and I got the distinct impression it was more than doing his duty. I felt a bit guilty for suspecting him. After he let me out to park, I stopped and leaned against the stone pillar, waiting for the elevator. With everything happening in the last few weeks, I was scared, but grateful beyond words for Liam’s presence in my life. It seemed I had something to fight for besides Dana. Shutting my eyes, I whispered a prayer for the first time I could remember.

  “Thank you for protecting me, and thank you for sending Liam to me. Thank you for helping Dana get her life together. Help me to be worthy, Lord,” I breathed as I opened my eyes. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to go to church. I mentally made a note to look for the closest Lutheran church I could find in Austin.

  I was antsy all the way up the elevator. Liam would be back later today, so I’d dressed in Liam’s favorite outfit--a beautiful pale pink sleeveless sheath dress and nude heels. My new haircut I’d acquired at the spa gave my hair lots of body and bounce, and I couldn’t wait for Liam to see it fixed, not in the shabby mess I’d been the night before last when he’d held me all night. He’d whispered in the night he had a surprise for me. I mentally made a note to check my calendar and make sure I had a full hour at lunch. I hoped Liam would be back from Dallas in time for me to take him out for a change.

  “Hey Kelly...wow! That dress looks amazing on you,” one of the interns gushed when I stepped off the elevator.

  “Thank you,” I replied, his comment boosting my confidence.

  “I was worried about you. I couldn’t get you this morning. You should have taken more than one day off,” Tana fretted, meeting me at my desk.

  “I’m better this morning, Liam came home and stayed with me and left early yesterday.”

  Tana reached up and traced the faint bruise on my cheekbone that make-up hadn’t been able to hide. As I dropped my eyes, she tried to make light of the situation as only she could. “A little tender-loving care from the boss man? You’re the only person I know who could handle that much man. Where is he, by the way?”

  “Dallas. He’s supposed to be back in the office today,” I said in relief.

  “So when’s the wedding?” she pushed. I looked up at her in surprise.

  “Tana, hush your mouth! We’re not serious, yet,” I replied, glancing around.

  “Well, I don’t think it will be much longer. The man is in deep, serious love with you.” She moved toward me and fingered the bracelet around my wrist. “He’s already given you every other diamond, so a ring has to be next,” she said. “Seriously, Cat. I can’t believe you’re here today. Why don’t you take the day off?”

  I frowned at her. “Stop with the worry. I’ve been through much, much worse and survived. The other night was nothing compared to that,” I replied as her eyes widened. “So let it go, all right?”

  She nodded as she grabbed me and hugged me. “I’m here if you need me,” she whispered as she teared up. I nodded at her silently.

  “Later, Sanger,” she called out over her shoulder as she left for her part of the building.

  I shook my head and flipped my overstuffed calendar over to prepare for my overstuffed day.

  Around noon, I looked up over the mountain of ads I’d been reviewing with Lisa at her desk. Liam strolled out of the elevator, looking every bit the conquering CEO in his black suit and white shirt, slightly open at the collar and no tie. He smiled sweetly at me as he made eye contact, holding his hand up to the man next to him to halt him in mid-sentence.

  “Would you excuse me? I’ll get back to you on this, but right now I’ve got to say hello to my girl,” he remarked, leaving the man’s side and striding toward me. The look in his eyes left me breathless. I looked nervously around the office to see if anyone else had picked up on the heat in his gaze. It was as if we were the only two in the room.

  “Hey, baby,” he said under his breath as he leaned toward me.

  “Hey,” I replied breathlessly.

  “Come back in my office with me for a while,” he urged as he took my hand, pulling me behind him down the short hallway to the corner office. I glanced over my shoulder and found everyone craning their necks to see past the foyer doorway. I smiled. Since I’d bared my soul to Liam and we’d gone to see Dr. Hallie, I no longer cared much for what the office thought.

  Liam held the door open for me, and after I passed through he closed it behind him and flipped the lock.

  “God, I’ve missed you, Liam” I whispered when he pulled me into his arms. He said nothing, just covered my mouth with his, his lips bruising mine as he possessed my mouth. Pulling away, he gazed down at me and trailed his fingers softly down my bruised cheek.

  “How are you, really? You sounded good on the phone last night. But I should have come home sooner.”

  I shook my head. “I’m good, Liam…really. I needed you that first night. But after meeting with Dr. Orr yesterday morning, I think I needed the time alone to sort through things.”

  He placed his forehead against mine. “I was useless in my meetings yesterday. If my grandfather wasn't so insistent, I would have given Dad my proxy and let him vote my shares.” He pulled back to gaze into my eyes. “I needed to be here. I needed to be here with you.”

  “Shhh…you’re here now.” I placed my finger against his lips, and he kissed the pad softly. As I smiled at him, he pulled me back hard into his chest. “Baby, you’ve been through so much, and it kills me I didn’t protect you better.”

  I gazed back up at him as I held my face against his beating heart. “Liam, you do protect me. You’ve stepped up security at work, you sent Scott with me practically everywhere. And please don’t blame him for the attack. He had no way of knowing I wouldn’t be safe in the spa,” I finished.

  He closed his eyes at the comment as he released his breath. “I don’t blame him, Kel. But now we know. I’m not letting you out of my sight,” he murmured, placing soft kisses on my forehead, down to my temple, across my cheek and then grazing my lips softly. I twined my hands in his hair at the nape of his neck, deepening the kiss. A sudden stiffness in his manner alerted me he was apprehensive.

  I pulled away and searched his eyes.

  “You’ve been through so much. God, I’ve missed you, but I don’t want to push you. We need to take things slowly.”

  I grabbed his shirt and pulled him back into my lips roughly. “I’m not a china doll, Liam. I won’t break if you hold me too tightly. I won’t shatter if we…I promise you, I can handle this. I’ve been through so much worse,” I reminded him as he nodded. I’d never wanted him so badly. The electricity between us was even more amped than before, because of his fears and apprehension for me, and my desire for him was only heightened by his love and concern. I widened my eyes as I pulled him back down to my lips. He grasped the zipper at my neck and tugged it down quickly, running his hands inside the fabric and pulling it away from my body. Before I realized what was going on, I was standing before him with my dress around my waist.

  “Couch, now,” he growled huskily, lifting me up, cupping my behind with both hands. I wrapped my legs around his waist. As we sank down on the sofa his hands fisted in my hair as his lips assaulted me in a bruising, desperate kiss. Our tongues slid crazily around each other, his in total possession of
my mouth. Liam pressed into me, his erection hard against my abdomen, the thin fabric of the dress revealing every sensation. He slid his hand up under the dress until he came in contact with bare skin.

  “Oh, Hellcat, that’s so freakin’ sexy. You’re not wearing pantyhose?” he asked, pulling the first stocking down by the large band around my thigh. “This is great access,” he mumbled against my neck. I shivered, his fingertips seemed to light fires on my skin.

  “Mr. Covington? There is a call for Kelly, the caller said it’s urgent,” Lisa’s voice sang over the intercom on Liam’s desk phone. Liam released me with a moan as I stood shakily, shrugging back into my dress.

  Liam stood and moved to pick up his desk phone, motioning me over “Thanks, Lisa, send it in here.” He reached out to zip my dress.

  “Sorry,” I mouthed as he grinned lopsidedly at me. I propped my hip on the corner of his desk as he handed me the receiver and punched the flashing line.

  “This is Kelly Sanger,” I answered.

  “Miss Sanger, this is Lieutenant Riggins of the Houston Police Department. I’m sorry to bother you at work, but I have some bad news. Are you alone Mrs. Sanger?” he asked. Chill bumps rose on my arms as I looked up at Liam. As if he could read my thoughts, his gaze met mine. He must have sensed the foreboding nature of the call from the look on my face. Rising quickly, he rounded his desk and placed his hand protectively on my waist.

  “No, I’m with my boyfriend. What is it, Lieutenant?”

  “Miss Sanger, I’m sorry to inform you your sister was found dead in her apartment this morning by her boyfriend, Rick Miller. He came home from his night shift at the refinery to find her baby crying, and Miss Sanger unconscious in the tub. He dialed 911, but she expired before the ambulance got her to the hospital. I’m so sorry, but we need for you to come to Houston and take care of some things. Miss Sanger?” he asked again. I stood frozen, staring at Liam as I struggled to find my voice. My heart collapsed in my chest, my knees buckling as I slid to the floor, dropping the receiver.

  “Miss Sanger?” I could hear the officer calling through the receiver. Liam grabbed the phone and sat down in the floor beside me as he answered, “This is Liam Covington, Kelly’s boyfriend. Please repeat what you said, she appears to be in shock…Oh, God…Yes, I see. I’ll get your number off the caller ID… I’ll call you as soon as we’re in Houston. And the baby?”

  My eyes snapped open. I whirled, frantically trying to get the phone back from Liam. “Masen! Where was the baby in all of this?”

  Liam nodded at me, turning to finish his end of the conversation. “I’ll have my attorney meet us there, he can help with any arrangements over custody,” he answered. “Thank you Lieutenant. We’ll see you in about three hours,” Liam replied before hanging up. I sat in the floor, shaking violently as Liam knelt beside me.

  “Kelly, I’m so sorry! I’m so, so sorry,” he repeated as he pulled me into his arms. I buried my head in his chest, not wanting to believe any of it. Dana! My baby sister was the only family I had left.

  “In a tub!” I yelled, finally finding my voice. “In a shit-hole apartment, in a tub of water...just like my mother!”

  “God, Kel…Shhh. I’m so sorry, I’ve got you,” Liam whispered, trying to soothe me.

  “She’s gone, Liam! I couldn’t save her, and I couldn’t save my mother! Why!” I screamed, straining my vocal chords beyond reason. I was vaguely aware of a pounding at Liam’s office door.

  “Liam, is everything all right?” Stuart’s voice rang out in the hallway. Liam pulled me from the floor and guided me over to the couch and eased me down. “No, Stuart, wait. Kelly’s had quite a shock.” He left me to go and open the door.

  “Christ, Covington, we could hear her down the hallway! What’s happened?” Stuart’s face was sheet white, flanked by several of the other VP’s.

  “She just got a call from the Houston PD. They found her only sister dead this morning,” Liam explained. Stuart’s eyes darted to me.

  “Is there anything we can do?” he asked softly, the other VP’s dispersing quickly to spread the news of what had happened.

  “Just have Lisa take over for Kelly, and have someone clear our calendars for the next couple of days. We’re leaving now for Houston,” Liam answered, sinking down next to me and pulling me into his arms. I shook silently, unaware of even drawing a breath since I’d heard the word “dead.”

  “Of course, Liam. Anything she needs,” he added. “I’m so sorry, Kelly.” Stuart said before closing Liam’s office door.

  Liam continued to stroke my back softly as he spoke into his cell. “Hey, Dad. I need your help. Kelly’s just received word her sister Dana was found dead this morning in her apartment. …no, we’re not sure what happened. We’re leaving for Houston now…yes, that would be great. Have Wilson meet us in Houston…and ask Scott to book two suites at one of our hotels downtown. No, we’ll find out more when we get there. And Dad…ask the hotel to recommend a baby nurse or nanny to help while we’re there. Yes, I think so too…I’m sure she is. We’ll sort it all out later. Thanks.”

  After several moments, Liam whispered in my ear.

  “Kel…we’ve got to get going. Can you stand?”

  I raised my head and looked into Liam’s tortured eyes. I nodded mechanically as Liam helped me to my feet. I was in a daze, nothing seemed real.

  Before I knew it, we were whizzing down the interstate, Liam holding me in the back seat of the Escalade while Scott drove us to Houston. Liam was talking quietly into his cell phone.

  “The policeman said Rick gave them Dana’s purse and cell phone. Kelly’s number was listed as her emergency contact. She had papers in her purse, Dad…naming Kelly as Masen’s legal guardian if anything happened to Dana….No, we haven’t talked about it yet. Yeah, Dad…tell mom that would be great. Okay, bye,” Liam whispered, turning his cell off.

  “Kel, Scott brought an ice chest. Do you want something to drink?”

  I watched silently out the window. I’d been quiet ever since we left the office, and I was afraid if I broke that silence, I’d never stop crying. I just shook my head slightly.

  “Scott, would you hand me a water,” Liam asked. Scott opened the lid of the cooler in the front floorboard and handed two bottles of water back to Liam.

  “Here, baby, you need to drink something,” Liam urged, breaking the seal on the bottle.

  I turned to him, suddenly finding my voice. “Liam, I need clothes. I have to go back, I need some things,” I murmured, confused as to what to do next.

  “Taken care of. Tana went to the hotel and packed a bag for us and brought it back to the office. I have your cell, laptop and your purse. Everything’s okay,” he whispered, pulling me next to him.

  “Tana did?” I asked, absent-mindedly.

  “Yes, and she wants us to call after we get to Houston. Everyone is really worried about you. I told them we would call after we made arrangements,” he said.

  “Liam, what religion are you?” I asked suddenly.

  “What?”

  “Do you go to church?”

  “Yes. Not since I’ve been in Austin, but my family belongs to the Presbyterian Church in San Antonio. Why…” he trailed off, watching me curiously. “Why do you ask?”

  “That’s good,” I murmured, then met his eyes. “Just curious. It suddenly occurred to me we’ve never discussed religion. Aunt Deb would be mortified to know I was involved with someone who I didn’t know was a Christian,” I murmured. “Dana and I were raised Lutherans. I haven’t been since college.”

  “Do you want to go?” Liam asked softly. “Because if you want to, I’ll go with you.”

  I nodded, turning to him. “I’ll have to find a Lutheran Pastor, for graveside rites,” I whispered.

  “Okay, baby. We’ll handle everything just like you want it,” he replied softly, pulling me closer. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed into his lap. Liam wrapped his arms around me and placed his lips on top of my head.<
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  Twenty-Three

  Liam was on his cell the entire time he and Scott checked us into the hotel. I moved through the lobby and sat down on a massive over-stuffed sofa. I stared at the people coming and going. Rich people with dogs, business men… I was angry at all of them. How could they go about their daily lives when my sister’s had just ended? It suddenly seemed so hopeless. She was one little broken, damaged girl from the wrong side of town, one more statistic in the drug wars raging in our country. Tears threatened to spill over again as I railed silently against my own frustration. I could feel my cheeks growing red. I held it all in. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs for the whole world to hear, like I was screaming inside my own head. DANA! Why did you have to do it? Why did you have to get high just one more time? Why did you have to do it, just like our mother?”

  “Kel, our room is ready. Kelly?” Liam asked again. My eyes darted up to him.

  I rose as he eyed me warily. I walked determinedly in front of him as Scott followed with our bags. Once on the elevator, Liam spoke softly to Scott, giving him directions. We stepped off the elevator on the top floor. He’d booked us in the penthouse, of course. I strode to the door and then waited for Liam to slide the card in the lock, not making eye contact with him.

  “Okay, Kel, in you go,” Liam urged. He took my purse from me and placed it on the table in the large living room. The suite looked much like the hotel room he’d been living in during his stay in Austin.

  “Why don’t you lie down and rest. Scott is going to wait for the lieutenant downstairs,” Liam said as he took our bags from Scott and helped him carry them into the bedroom.

  I sat down on the couch silently. After Scott slipped out of the suite, Liam returned to stand in front of me. When I didn’t raise my eyes to look at him, he cleared his throat and knelt in front of me, removing first one pump, then the other. I could feel my resentment simmering, just waiting to spill over.

  I was angry. I was angry at all the suits I saw downstairs, and I wondered which of them had beautiful mistresses on the side they supplied cocaine to. How many of them abused the daughters of those women, and turned their children into junkies. I suddenly hated everyone in a suit. Anger was good. Anger was familiar. Anger didn’t tear my chest wide-open. Rather, it felt like glue holding me together.