Of Demons & Stones: A Tri-Stone Trilogy

by Anne L. Parks

  "How is it that, just when I think I'm the happiest I could ever be, you look at me or touch me or kiss me, and I find a new level of happiness?" Alex asks, his voice low and smooth.

  "Because I'm with you, and all I ever want to do is make you happy," I say sincerely. "I'm yours, Alex. Only yours."

  "Don't ever leave me, Kylie. Don't ever go. The thought of you not being with me nearly kills me."

  "I only want to keep you safe, babe. That's the only reason I was willing to go. I never want to be away from you either, Alex. It just scares me to think you could get hurt because of me." I lean my forehead against Alex's and caress the side of his face.

  "I'll keep us safe. I have to. I want you with me forever, baby," Alex says, his voice soft.

  "You have me forever." I lean in and kiss him.

  Family dinner night has been temporarily moved to Patty's house since Emily, her youngest daughter, has the flu. We pull up in the SUV, Jake and Thomas escorting us.

  Everyone is gathered in the enormous open and airy kitchen. A long breakfast bar encircles half the kitchen and seats about eight people. A fireplace sits against one wall with an overstuffed chair and love seat in front. It's homey, warm, inviting, and completely Patty.

  Everyone eagerly greets us with hugs, except for Francine.

  She puts her hand out to me. "Hello, Kylie. Nice to see you again." She smiles.

  I notice a glint in her eyes that catches me by surprise, and I'm left to wonder what she has planned.

  Joshua comes into the kitchen with a group of teenage boys in tow, and he stops abruptly when he sees me. "Miss Tate."

  "Hey, Josh." I laugh. "I think you can call me Kylie now," I say and smile at him.

  He looks quickly over at his buddies, who are all grinning at him.

  Alex moves closer to me. "Hello, Joshua."

  "Hello, Uncle Alex."

  "Josh, you and the boys go find something to do. I'll call you when dinner's ready," Patty calls from across the kitchen.

  The boys make a hasty retreat out of the room, their snickers and laughs echoing from the hallway.

  Moving across the room, I stand next to Leigha.

  Will looks around her at me. "So where's the new Porsche?" he asks.

  Ellie squeals in delight. "Did you get a new car?" she asks.

  "I did." I smile and glance over at Alex.

  Obviously, he's been talking to his brother. It makes me happy to think he's reuniting with his family. I just wish I understood what had pushed him away from them for so long. It had to be more than their inquiries into his love life. The key rests in his nightmares and whoever died. I've promised him patience on that front, but I'm starting to feel like I'm the only one sharing fears, secrets, and nightmares in this relationship. Trust is a two-way street, and right now, ours is one-way only.

  "You bought her a car?" Francine's voice booms loudly as she glares at Alex.

  For the first time, I notice Harold's not here, and I suddenly feel his absence deeply. He's usually the one who keeps Francine in check, and I have a feeling he'll be sorely missed throughout the evening—most especially by me.

  Alex keeps his voice low and calm but a mischievous smile crosses his face. "No, Kylie bought herself a new car. She's actually a highly successful attorney. In fact, she's one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the state. That makes her financially secure all on her own and more than capable of purchasing a car without my help."

  Alex turns to me with a satisfied smile on his face, and next to me, Leigha snickers. I don't look at her, but I'm sure, after the conversations we've had regarding Francine, that she's reveling in Alex's harsh statement to his mother.

  "Well," continues Francine, apparently unable to leave well enough alone, "it must make it easier without house payments since she lives with you now."

  "Actually," I pipe in, a little sick of being talked about as if I am not present for the conversation, "I have a mortgage on my house. I still have to make payments each month, as I have since I first purchased it, also on my own. Insurance is only covering the repairs due to the fire damage. " I smile at her, hoping this will end the conversation once and for all, so we can move on.

  "Yes, well, at least Alex covers the rest of the expenses for you."

  Alex opens his mouth, but I grab his arm. It's just not worth arguing, and the back-and-forth is beginning to increase the tension in the air. I glance at Patty, whose eyes are wide, and she's biting her lip. It's not fair that, within minutes of our arrival, there's already contention. If Francine won't stop this, I will—for Patty's sake. It's better to just let it go and attempt to salvage the remainder of the evening.

  Jake enters the kitchen and whispers something to Alex. Alex nods, and Jake leaves. Francine eyes Alex, and I brace myself for round two.

  "Why do you have so much security here, Alex? We're at Patty's house, for goodness’ sake. You can't possibly think anyone here will harm you. Or is she receiving death threats after getting that murderer set free?" Francine glares at me.

  I squeeze Alex's hand tightly, hoping it conveys that I don't want him jumping to my defense.

  He remains quiet, but Patty speaks up instead, "Mother, stop this. You will not attack Kylie or Alex. This is my home, and you will respect my guests—all of them. Besides, Kylie did her job brilliantly, and I happen to believe that man is innocent." Alex speaks up again, his voice controlled. "Since it has come to the media's attention that I'm dating the newest legal wonder on the eastern seaboard, the paparazzi have been relentlessly following us. I just wanted to ensure they would be kept at bay while we were here."

  I smile at Alex, proud that he has once again defused the situation without causing me any more pain or embarrassment. The last thing I need is for Francine to find out that I have a crazy ex-boyfriend who wants to kill her son to get back at me.

  Francine looks as if the wind has been sucked from her sails, and I lean back against the counter and relax.

  Alex puts his arm around my shoulder and whispers in my ear, "You good?"

  I nod, a smile across my face.

  Francine remains quiet as chatter starts up again in the room. Ellie goes into a story about her job as a buyer for a local fashion boutique, and soon, we are all laughing as she tells us about her latest trip to New York City and having to deal with trying to hail cabs.

  The doorbell rings, causing a questioning glance from Patty to her husband, who leaves the room to answer the door. I look over at Francine as a grin crosses her face.

  What are you up to now, Franny?

  My question is answered by the tall blonde who enters the room. Alex immediately tenses next to me, sucking air in through his teeth, revealing instantly who has come to dinner.

  "Rebekah," Francine nearly squeals, crossing over to the woman and embracing her. "I'm so glad you could make it. I think you know everyone—except for Kylie."

  Francine turns to me as Rebekah comes forward and puts her hand out to me. I remain motionless, my face stoic, as I look into hers. She keeps her hand out for a moment before retrieving it uncomfortably.

  "Well," Francine says, "there's no need to be rude, Kylie. Rebekah is a friend of Alex's and this family."

  Alex bristles next to me. Apparently finally reaching a boiling point with his mother, he loses his cool. "She is not my friend. Do you have any idea what she has done to Kylie, to me?" Alex turns his attention to Rebekah, glaring at her. "Did you tell Francine what you did? How you answered my cell phone and made Kylie believe we were having sex? Knowing that I was in the other room, ignoring you completely, talking to Patty about how much I care for Kylie, and only Kylie?"

  "Bitch," Leigha remarks under her breath.

  Rebekah opens her mouth, but Francine stops her.

  "Yes, Alex, Rebekah did tell me. It was just a harmless joke. Perhaps, if Kylie doesn't trust that you're faithful, you two have deeper problems."

  It's all I can do not to walk over to her and slap that smarmy gri
n off her face while punching that blond bitch from hell in the gut. Nothing would give me greater pleasure in this moment than watching the two of them writhing in pain. But this is not the time, not the place, and these two sorry excuses for women are not worth my effort.

  I turn to Alex, and his eyes lock on mine. They are on fire, and he looks as if he's ready to string up his mother and Rebekah.

  "Okay," I state, my voice calm, "meter officially tripped."

  "Let's go." Alex takes my hand.

  I look at Patty and offer an apologetic smile.

  Tears finally fall down her face as she mouths, I didn't know she was coming.

  I nod to her. As we pass by Alex's mother, she glares at me, and I shake my head.

  Alex pushes past Rebekah, offering an ominous threat, "You're through," which turns her deathly white.

  Out on the driveway, Alex turns to me. "I'm so sorry, Kylie. I never believed Francine could stoop to this level."

  "This is not your fault, babe. Francine planned this. This is all on her. I feel so bad for Patty though. She looked so hurt and angry."

  Alex wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him, kissing me. I start to pull away, but Alex pulls me in deeper, holding me to him and sending warm shivers throughout my body. I run my hands across his chest as our tongues meet and begin their sensual dance.

  Geez, I need this. I need him.

  The man excites me and calms me in the same breath, leaving me longing for things that can't take place in Patty's driveway, things I'm scared to admit I need and want, things I already feel for him so profoundly that frighten me.

  The front door of the house slams behind me, and someone passes by us quickly. I pull myself away from Alex and watch as Rebekah flies past us without so much as a sideways glance. The front door opens again, and I brace myself, expecting Francine to come after me again.

  Instead, Leigha bounds up beside me with Will directly behind her.

  "So where are we going for dinner?" she asks, as if we have established plans with them.

  I look at Alex, smile, and shrug. "I'm open. Where shall we go to dinner?"

  Chapter Fifty-One

  The new week brings the assignment of another capital murder trial, which renews the media frenzy around me. The constant scrutiny has Alex on high alert, and he's overly protective of every action I take. It’s almost impossible to work, with between Thomas now stationed full-time in my office, Jake coming by once or twice a day to check in, and the constant phone calls and texts from Alex demanding updates on my activities. He nearly went apoplectic when he learned I would have to meet my client at the county jail to begin work on her case.

  I sit at my desk, weeding through information, when Sarah's voice comes over the intercom.

  "Kylie, Jack needs to see you in his office."

  "Okay. Thanks, Sarah. I'm on my way." I close the file I've been reviewing on the new case. It's a particularly nasty one, and I'm hopeful I can plead it out before it goes to trial.

  Thomas removes the large headphones he is required to wear in my office as I stand.

  "Just going down the hall. Be back in a few," I inform him.

  He gives me a thumbs-up, replacing his headphones and returning to his video game.

  I knock on Jack's door and hear his gentle voice invite me in. When I enter, Jack motions toward the chair across from his desk.

  "We have the usual hate mail coming in now that you have been officially assigned to the Barber case. You know the drill. Safeguards are in place to make sure the threats are not serious, and we don't anticipate any problems. I just wanted you to be aware, so you can be on guard and a little more careful." Jack smiles.

  "Okay." I smile back. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll probably have Jake talk to our security team about it, just to keep him in the loop, if that's okay with you."

  "I have no problem with Jake working with them. Whatever we can do to make sure you're taken care of, Kylie," he says, rising.

  I make my way to the door before he calls to me.

  "Everything else okay?" he asks.

  I know he's referring to John, but I can't tell him about the latest threats against Alex and me. It would only worry him, and there's nothing he can do at this point. Sometime in the future, I'll have that discussion with him, but now is not the time.

  "It's all good, Jack. Nothing new to report."

  He smiles at me and waves me out.

  As I enter my office, my cell phone beeps on my desk. There's a missed call from Alex. I hit the callback button and wait for him to answer.

  "Kylie, where are you? Why didn't you answer the phone?"

  I've been trying all week to figure out if Alex is more concerned that John will finally carry out his threat or if I'll follow through on mine and leave to protect him.

  "I was in Jack's office, babe." I keep my voice light, trying to calm and reassure him.

  "Why didn't you take your cell phone with you?" comes the exasperated reply.

  "Well, it wouldn't have mattered if I had, Alex. I still wouldn't have answered it. I was in a meeting with my boss." I sit down in my desk chair as the line is silent on the other end. I take advantage of Alex's muteness and offer, "Babe, I know you're doing everything you can to make sure I'm safe, and I appreciate it. I really do. I have to work though, and that might involve me not being able to keep in constant contact with you or being available to you at all times. I have Thomas with me. Jake is in and out of here all day long. You're going to have to trust me, and you are going to have to give me some room to breathe."

  Alex exhales on the other end. "Fine, I'll try. When will you be ready to leave today?"

  "Well, that depends on your schedule. I'm just going through all the notes on the new case, and I can do that from home, so I can be ready whenever you are." Please let this get him to a happy place, so he'll lose the attitude.

  "I'm home already. When are you planning to leave?" His voice has softened.

  The tight muscles in my neck slacken a bit. "In about fifteen minutes." I smile and cross my fingers that the good mood he's moving toward will still be present when I get home.

  I dump the files on the couch in Alex's study and head into the bedroom to change clothes. I know I should continue to go through the case notes, but I need a break from the details. It disgusts me, and I would like nothing more than to pass it off to another attorney in the firm. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. If I were my own boss in my own firm, I would never have taken this case.

  Marilyn Barber is accused of killing her two children because she feared she was about to lose custody of them to her ex-husband. The children were found in the bathtub, apparently drowned while taking a bath. Marilyn claims she placed the children—a boy, seven, and a girl, five—into the bathtub while she went to lie down on the bed with a migraine. At some point, she fell asleep, and when she awoke, the children were dead in the tub. The problem centers on the autopsy of both children and the ligature marks around their necks, denoting strangulation.

  I met with her after being assigned to her case, and the woman sat there without any guilt or remorse, smoking a cigarette, telling me that her children were in a better place. She was quick to offer alternative arguments, like her ex-husband had sneaked into the house while she slept and strangled the children.

  When I asked why he would do that, she said without batting an eye, "Because he still wants me, but since I won't have him, he wanted to hurt me by sending me to prison."

  There was nothing about the devastating toll the loss of her children was having on her. No, she was more concerned that she would be spending all her Saturday nights locked up instead of being able to find someone at the bar to take her home at the end of the night. She truly made me sick.

  I wander into the kitchen, looking for Alex, hoping to spend some much-needed downtime with him. He's standing next to the breakfast bar, talking to Jake. I slide onto a barstool next to him and wait for them to finish their riveti
ng conversation regarding Jose, the landscaper, and his nephew's underdeveloped ability to evenly cut the hedges.

  As the conversation winds up, I look at Jake. "Hey, heads-up for you. You might want to meet with firm security about my latest round of hate mail. Apparently, there are people who dislike the fact that I'm defending Ms. Barber more than I do."

  "What type of hate mail?" Jake asks as he glances at Alex.

  I pop a green grape in my mouth from the fruit bowl in front of me. "I haven't seen any of them yet, but Jack indicated there are some death threats," I say nonchalantly.

  This is not new. Criminal defense attorneys often get hate mail, and it very rarely amounts to anything.

  Alex instantly tenses beside me as Jake looks over at him.

  "I'll look into it," he says before leaving the room.

  Alex turns toward me.

  I smile at him, pop another grape in my mouth, and stretch my hand out to him. "Grape?"

  "No."

  "What shall we do for the rest of the afternoon, Mr. Stone?" I ask, hoping my attempt to seduce him with my eyes is not coming off as creepy.

  "How about we start with you explaining why you failed to let me know you're receiving death threats, Kylie?"

  Alex's eyes are stormy, and not in the I-want-to-take-you-to-bed-and-make-love-to-you-for-hours stormy I was hoping for. No, these eyes are ragey and pissed.

  "Jack just told me today. That's what our meeting was about. Why are you upset? It's not anything to worry about."

  "Your life is being threatened, and there is nothing to worry about? How the hell can you say that, Kylie?" Alex throws his hands up and storms into the family room, pacing in front of the large TV.

  I slide off the barstool and walk over to him, grasping his hands. "Babe, I just mean this is par for the course in murder trials. It's happened nearly every single time I've been involved in one, even when I was only assisting. Granted, the volume of hate mail increased during Tony's trial, and I expect even more now with this piece-of-shit defendant."