Love, Lies, & Crime: Anthology

by Kimberly Blalock

  Okay, now you’re just being paranoid. He’s not there anymore. Pulling out the half-sheet of torn, lined paper, she unfolded it.

  Want to know my secret?

  Liz lifted a brow. What the hell does that…?

  The door knob jiggled, stealing her attention. What sounded like metal scraping against metal echoed through the house and in her ears. The lock turned counter-clockwise, unlocking the door. Elizabeth choked on her gasp, shaking her head in denial. Turning on her heel, she sprinted down the hall toward the back bedrooms.

  She risked looking back, and saw the knob turn and the door open an inch. Her brief distraction had her tripping on a loose thread of her carpeted runner, crashing to the ground. She righted herself, recovering with lightning speed. Gaining momentum on all fours, she shot forward like a runner after the gunshot. Bursting through her bedroom door, Elizabeth shut and locked it behind her. Backing away from the door, she realized two things.

  One: She still held the mace in her sweaty palm.

  Two: Her phone was still on the floor in the front room.

  Fuck!

  Scanning the room with frantic desperation, she formulated a plan. I’ll sit and listen. If he tries to unlock the door, I’ll slip out of this window and run. If he tries to sneak in through the window, I’ll blast him with the mace and run out the front. It wasn’t much of a plan, but it was all she could do. Elizabeth drew her knees in close to her chest and braced herself for what would come.

  What felt like hours had passed, waiting, listening, expecting. Mentally and physically exhausted, Liz fought against her need for sleep, as all the adrenaline was drained from her system. Tired eyes battled with her will to stay alert, as darkness threatened to pull her under. It didn’t take long.

  The vicious man looked down at his little sleeping prey, curled up in a tight ball on the floor. The house had grown quiet, and when he’d slipped into the back room, he’d half expected to be greeted with a fight. Instead, she’d passed out, no doubt worn through from nerves, shock, and freight. His perfect little Chosen one begged to be slain in this most vulnerable position. Moonlight shone in through the window, casting an illuminant glow all around her.

  Crouching low, he gazed at his beautiful prize, cautiously pushing back the sweat dampened hair that covered her face. Elizabeth was his ultimate fantasy come to life. Everything about her drew him in—her beauty, her innocence, her genuine goodness, and the sultry sex appeal hidden just below the surface, waiting to be unveiled.

  Elizabeth was the sort of target that men like him fantasized about. A smirk crept across his shadow covered face as he took in every line and curve of her irresistible body. His eyes zeroed in on her tiny upturned nose flaring ever so slightly with each exhaled breath. Her mouth parted in a tiny O.

  Inching closer, Elizabeth’s breath fanned his face. The predator’s pulse quickened as he inhaled her breath deep into his lungs. His heart raced as the familiar itch that demanded to be scratched took over. Her peaceful form drew him closer. The scent of her warm flesh, face cream, and the hint of fearful sweat nearly drove him over the edge. Clenching his fists, the predator rose and backed away with strong conviction.

  No. The game isn’t over… yet. Ending her now was far too easy, and she deserved nothing but the best. A fighting chance. Most importantly, he wanted time to enjoy his Chosen before collecting her soul.

  Tomorrow.

  He’d be back for her tomorrow. First, he wanted to let her know how close he’d been…

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The longer you stay

  in one place, the greater

  your chances of disillusionment.

  ~Art Spander

  Lizzie’s eyes shot open. Someone’s hand brushed her side, snaking its way around her waist. Preparing for the fight of her life, she counted down.

  Three, two, one!

  Twisting her torso, Elizabeth threw everything she had into a vicious elbow thrust, satisfied when it connected with a sickening crunch. It felt like a temple, but she wasn’t about to hang around to find out. The arms around her let go, and she jumped to her feed. Whirling around, Elizabeth extended her arm to mace the bastard. A white piece of paper clenched tight in her fist caught her attention. Only then did she realize there was no mace.

  Shit! Her pause gave the man a chance to get to his feet.

  “Babe, it’s me. Shit, Liz, you got me good. I was going to get you to bed. Why’re you lying on the floor? Are you all right?”

  “Carter. Oh, thank God!”

  He stared at her in confusion, rubbing the tender spot on his head where she’d nailed him. Feeling the full effects of the adrenaline coursing through her and the fear that still left her trembling, Liz stood there, trying to figure out what had happened. Was it all just a bad dream? She sure as hell hoped so.

  “What’s that?” Carter pointed to her hand.

  Liz carefully opened her fist and unraveled the wrinkled mess in her hand. She opened the paper with extreme caution, as if the paper itself would attack her. It crackled as she unfolded it.

  You’re so beautiful while you sleep.

  As peaceful as a resting corpse.

  Elizabeth whipped her head around the room, searching. Her eyes landed on the object she knew was tightly wound in her hands before she passed out. The mace now laid on the floor next to the door.

  “Oh my God, Carter, he was in here.” She handed him the note. “He was in my house… this room.”

  After repeating her story for the fifth time in a row to the police who’d finally showed up, Elizabeth was now dead on her feet. There was nothing left to say, nothing left to think, and no more tears to shed. Her body continued to quake after reliving every detail of what was said and done over the past few days to the detectives in charge. Both Elizabeth and Carter gave descriptions of the stranger. Elizabeth also showed them the photo she’d taken of him on her phone, and they gave their statements.

  Carter escorted the men out the door, rushing back to her side. Now suffering from a pounding migraine, Elizabeth braced her head in her hands. Understanding what she needed, Carter searched the medicine cabinet above the stove. He produced two tablets and presented them to her with a glass of water.

  “C’mon, babe. Let’s go to bed.”

  Carter smoothed her hair away from her face as she tossed the chalky pills back. Having no voice left, Elizabeth gave a weak nod. Carter scooped her up into his arms. She nuzzled into his chest, grateful that he was here.

  “They have our descriptions and statements, Lizzie, and you have me. I won’t let anyone touch you.” He spoke into her hair as if reading her mind. But deep down, she knew that the stranger had already been close enough to touch her. Having nothing to say, she sighed against his chest.

  Carter placed her gently on the bed. He went to work removing her socks, uniform, undershirt, and unclasped her bra from the front. Elizabeth watched with reverence as he cared for her. She lay on the bed in nothing but her panties, but unlike any other day, Carter wasn’t acting on his sexual desires. He was taking care of her needs.

  Collecting her sweat-soiled clothes, he tossed them in the hamper and pulled one of her sleep camis out of the top drawer. Kneeling on the bed, he drew closer. His attentiveness stirred something deep inside her. Even as she lay before him naked, without a single lingering stare, Carter dressed her for bed. This made Elizabeth want him all the more.

  “I’ve arranged to go into work later than usual, that way I can walk you to work myself. You won’t be walking alone anymore, Lizzie. For now, let’s go to sleep.”

  Too exhausted to take the initiative, she obeyed his command and laid back.

  “Good girl.” Carter undressed and joined her in bed, wrapping his arm tight around her waist and pulling her close to his body. His breath tickled her as he nuzzled his face into the crook of her neck. Soon, Elizabeth descended into sleep in the safety of his arms.

  Her subconscious heard his deep voice whisper moments be
fore she slipped into a deep sleep. “You’re mine, Lizzie. Always.”

  The soothing calls of mourning doves cooed outside the window, rousing Elizabeth from her sleep. Her bloodshot eyes adjusted to the sunlight that filtered past her sheer curtains. Reaching high above her head, Elizabeth stretched, ironing out the kinks that settled in overnight. Rolling over, Carter’s side still held his impression left behind on the wrinkled sheets.

  Elizabeth traced her fingers over his body’s outline. She was falling so deep in love with Carter. It had only been four months and she already couldn’t imagine life without him. She needed him. Thoughts of their future together flitted through her mind. She couldn’t help but see themselves in the same possible future as the adorable old couple she waited on at the diner, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. Or secretly wished for the same outcome as the heavily pregnant couple that came in for some ice cream a few nights back.

  A heated blush stained her cheeks when she realized that they hadn’t used any protection the last few times they were together. What if I become pregnant? Butterflies fluttered around inside her stomach at the thought. How would he react? Would he be happy? Excited? Or would he bolt? Pushing that thought away, the intoxicating mix of bacon, eggs, and coffee reached her sense of smell. Hunger halted the path her mind was taking, and her stomach rumbled angrily for its need for food. She never ate dinner last night and was now starving.

  “Breakfast is ready, babe,” Carter shouted down the hall.

  Eager to be by his side, and to gobble down the delicious food that awaited her, Elizabeth rose from her bed. She’d take a shower after she ate. She was too hungry to wait any longer. Elizabeth was greeted with the spectacular view of Carter commanding the stove, wielding the spatula skillfully, while wearing nothing but his boxers. His lean torso and broad shoulders were on full display, and his usually smoothed down and neat hair style flopped this way and that, sticking up in some spots.

  This was her favorite look on him. Smiling, Elizabeth snuck up behind her disheveled Clark Kent and wrapped her arms around him.

  “Ah, there’s my girl. You hungry, babe?”

  Sighing into his back, she mumbled, “Mmhm, starved.” Her hands wandered up and down his stomach, and he shivered as she kissed the back of his neck.

  Carter turned in her hold and cradled her face in his bacon smelling hands, brushing his full lips over hers. His hungry eyes gazed at her nearly nude body. The look he cast over her made her knees weak and her mind turn to mush.

  Slipping his hand under the thin fabric of her shirt, Carter brushed his fingertips up her belly and cupped her breast. Elizabeth moaned softly and arched into his touch, as he pinched and rolled her nipple between his fingers.

  “You like this, babe?”

  Elizabeth’s head fell back. “Mmhm.”

  Her quiet moans and deep panting only encouraged him further. Pulling the straps down over her shoulders to expose her breasts, Carter flicked his tongue over the pink bud.

  Elizabeth gripped his hips, bringing him in closer to her. Carter lifted her onto the kitchen table, nudging her legs open with his knee. Elizabeth wrapped her legs around his waist, digging her nails into his shoulders in anticipation of what she knew was coming. “I’m not hungry for food anymore.”

  Carter rocked his hips, rubbing himself against her teasingly. A cocky grin curled his lips. “You want this before you go?”

  Eyes closed, she murmured, “Mmhm.”

  Carter shed his boxers and yanked her panties down her thighs, and she gasped at his sudden roughness. He pushed past her seal and stopped just inside her. “Tell me, Lizzie.”

  Groaning in ecstasy, Elizabeth tightened her legs around his waist, drawing him in deeper. “I want you, Carter. I’m all yours.” She moaned into his mouth, gyrating against him.

  “Good girl,” he cooed, thrusting deep inside her.

  Elizabeth stared at Carter as they finally sat down to eat their cold breakfast. Unable to stop herself from blurting out what’s been on her mind all morning, she started, “Um… we never used… I mean, we didn’t stop…” Carter glanced up at her once she’d started speaking, charmed by her apparent insecurity.

  A large, devilish grin formed around his perfect five o’clock shadow.

  “I know.”

  Heated eyes dragged down her face, landing on her stomach. The prideful animalistic look that passed over him had her stomach performing summersaults. Carter rose from his chair and crouched down between her legs. Gripping her hips, he brought both her and the chair closer. Inhaling deeply, his eyelids fell. “I can almost smell my seed growing inside you,” he murmured just above a whisper. His audacious statement took her aback.

  “So, if I become pregnant…?” Elizabeth twisted her fingers in her lap nervously.

  “Then you will truly belong to me, forever.” Dipping his head, Carter placed a tender kiss on her belly and rose to a stand.

  Breathing in a sigh of relief, Elizabeth smiled up at the man who meant everything to her.

  “I will walk you to work today, but I won’t be home until well after eight-thirty.”

  Elizabeth’s smile faded as her good natured attitude took a nose dive with the reminder of the very real threat that loomed over her. Flashes of the dark figure peering in her window and coming into her house left her terrified to be alone. Chewing on her bottom lip, she watched as Carter marched down the hallway, returning a moment later with a small black case.

  “I’m going to leave this here with you.”

  Lifting a curious brow, Elizabeth watched as he unfastened the latches and peered inside. She gasped in surprise at what was lying inside.

  “A gun! What’re you doing with a gun, Carter?”

  “I work in a dangerous part of the city. Don’t worry, babe, it is properly licensed and registered.”

  “Oh, okay.” Liz looked at the weapon nervously. Her father used to carry an array of hunting rifles for prize shooting, but she’d been forbidden to touch or go anywhere near them. He’d always kept them locked away in the safe.

  “It’s a .38 caliber pistol. Its small size makes it easy to handle. I want you to get a feel for her by dry shooting it a few times this morning. I’ll show you how to load and unload… for practice.”

  Elizabeth swallowed the knot lodged in her throat. “I don’t know…” Her eyes travelled over the shiny metal revolver with unease, as if it’d go off at any moment.

  “If that asshole has been in this house, I want you to be able to protect yourself when I’m not here, okay.” Elizabeth bit her lip and hesitantly gave half a nod.

  Carter cupped her chin in his firm grip and lifted her head to meet his gaze. “I don’t know what I’d do if someone took you from me.” Kissing the tip of her nose, a devilish grin formed on his handsome face. “Besides, our baby might be in there, and it needs protecting.”

  The reminder brought back a smile on her face. She couldn’t help herself; the thought excited her, and the possibility of having a family with Carter put things into perspective. Strengthening her resolve, Elizabeth squared her shoulders. “Okay. Show me what to do.”

  Carter picked her up and twirled her around the room. “That’s my brave girl.”

  They practiced a dozen or so dry runs before calling it quits when Elizabeth had to make her way to work. Carter put the piece away. The revolver was loaded with the safety on. He latched the carrier and put it right by her side of the bed. She’d felt more at ease now after practicing with it a little, but deep down, she prayed that she’d never have to use it… ever.

  Carter walked around the house, shutting and locking all the doors and windows. The couple walked hand in hand down Rodman Street. The air had a crisp chill still lingering from the night before, and dew drops clung to the tops of the freshly cut grass, shaded from the sun by the tall buildings lining the street. Once outside of Rosie’s Diner, Carter brought Elizabeth’s hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on her knuckles.

  “I wo
n’t be home until later, but I will have a surprise waiting for you… If you’re good.” He winked and wiggled his eyebrows.

  Elizabeth thought he’d forgotten that today marked four months that they’d started dating. “I will. Promise.” Crossing her heart with her fingers, she smiled. “I love you.”

  “Love you, babe. I’ll text you later.”

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned in and gave him a suggestive, wet, opened-mouth kiss that let him know exactly how much she’d miss him.

  “Argh, you’re going to pay for teasing me like that.”

  “Mm, I sure hope so.” She scrunched her nose playfully. Carter bit her lip and not so subtly grabbed her ass. Reluctantly, she released her hold and turned to go into work. Carter spanked her ass with a loud thwack. She whipped her head around, giggling.

  Elizabeth watched as he climbed into the back of a cab, looking back one more time, mouthing, ‘I’ll see you later.’

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  For those in love with an Illusion

  often refuse to accept reality.

  ~Sanal Edamaruku

  A collision of clattering plates crashed to the tile ground as one of the new busboys dropped a tub of dirty dishes. The earsplitting sound nearly gave Elizabeth a heart attack as she shrieked out, almost spilling coffee on her customer. Throughout the morning, any loud, clattering commotion had the paranoid girl jumping out of her skin, ready to run. Every time the bell chimed over the door, she peered over her shoulder, expecting the strange man to walk through.

  He never did.

  The morning rush came and went. Still, no creepy man. Her anxiety melted away as the lunch hour ticked past one in the afternoon without incident.

  “All right, girls, your lunch cover is here. Go on your hour break,” Nickolai barked over at Elizabeth and Bianca.

  The girls collected the food they’d brought, or stolen in Bianca’s case, and sat in the pathetic excuse for an employee lounge. They plopped down on the cold, cracked, and faded vinyl couch in front of the box TV set, courtesy of Nickolai himself. Elizabeth dug into her turkey club sandwich and Caesar salad, while Bianca scarfed down a double bacon cheeseburger and chili fries that had been sent back.