Of Demons & Stones: A Tri-Stone Trilogy

by Anne L. Parks

  "Kylie," Matt calls to me as he walks past the receptionist, glancing into the waiting area where Alex and I sit.

  He shakes hands with Alex.

  "Hey, Matt. Have you got a minute?"

  "Of course. Come in." He leads us into his office. He motions to the two chairs opposite his desk.

  "I don't know if you're aware of what's going on with John Sysco?" "Yes, I've seen the file, and I was notified this morning of his arrest. Seems pretty solid, and if it were anyone other than John, I would be feeling pretty confident about my chances..."

  I know exactly what he means. John is a formidable opponent normally. Now that it's his neck on the line, he will be damn near perfect in his defense.

  "Well, that's where I come in. I can fill in any of the gaps in the story for you, answer any questions you have— whatever you need. I can also help you with John. I know him. I know how he approaches a case, what he will focus on, arguments he will make. I can help you beat him. After all, he taught me everything he knows."

  I look over at Alex, who is squirming in his seat. I assume he's uncomfortable with me giving John any type of credit for my success and unwilling to concede that John has a brilliant legal mind, especially for criminal defense.

  "Well, I'm certainly not going to pass up the opportunity to pick the brain of a defense attorney and learn some tricks of your side of the trade. However, it does create some issues on some other fronts," he says.

  I nod. "Already considered that. I'll take care of that end of it," I assure him.

  "Okay, well, the bond hearing is this afternoon, so I'll keep you updated on any happenings. I don't expect there to be any issues keeping him put today, but I expect him to request bail again at the arraignment."

  Matt checks the file on his desk. The charging document is on top.

  "The arraignment is scheduled for tomorrow. Will you be attending?" Matt asks.

  I know he's hoping that I'll affirm my appearance.

  "Yes."

  Alex pipes in, "We'll be there."

  Matt looks at him and smiles, and I can see the wheels turning in his mind. People in this area love and respect Alex Stone. His company has provided many jobs, and he's extremely charitable with his money, donating to various local organizations. The fact that Alex and I—billionaire philanthropist and newest local attorney hotshot—are the victims of a crazy stalker intent on killing us and will be present in the courtroom lends credibility to the State's case.

  "If I have any questions, I'll contact you," Matt says.

  Alex places his hand on my lower back while handing his business card to Matt. "In case you're unable to get hold of Kylie, my office and cell numbers are on the front, and our home number is on the back."

  I avoid smiling as he places emphasis on our. Always so subtle, Stone.

  As we exit the courthouse, I'm already calling the office. "Hey, Sarah. It's Kylie. Is Jack in?"

  I'm quiet while Jack relays information regarding what's happening at the office.

  I glance over at Alex as he takes my elbow and starts walking me to the waiting SUV.

  "No, I think I'll avoid the office if the vultures are already circling. Thanks, Jack."

  As Alex and I climb into the back of the SUV, Alex peers over at me. "Home then?" he asks, a smile across his face.

  "Home," I confirm. "Looks as if you are going to get something else you want. I'm off the Barber case, effective immediately."

  "Why?" His eyes widen slightly.

  "Kind of a weird type of conflict. It doesn't look good if the lead attorney in a capital murder case is working closely with the lead prosecutor to secure a conviction in another case."

  Alex takes my hand and kisses it. "I'm sorry, baby."

  "Ha," I laugh. "It's okay. I'm actually glad. It's a crap case. I never would've taken it if it had been my choice." I glance out the window and notice for the first time that we're heading out of town, toward the house. "Aren't you going into the office?"

  "No, I'll work from home today." He brushes his lips lightly over the tips of my fingers, making my nether regions light up. "I'll never be able to concentrate, knowing you are home, all alone..." His eyes darken, and a sly smile crosses his face.

  "Well, I was planning on going back to bed." I lower my voice, as I run my hand up his thigh.

  A groan escapes his lips, and I have to restrain myself from not straddling him in the backseat and getting a head start on what I hope will be a day of making love.

  Chapter Fifty-Nine

  As we enter the house, rushing toward the bedroom, intent on losing ourselves in each other, Alex's cell phone rings.

  "Alex Stone." He listens for a minute and then puts up his finger, indicating that this will take some time. Then, he heads into his study.

  I continue into the bedroom, take my suit off, and rehang it in the closet. Then, I sit on the edge of the bed in my black-and-cream lace bra and panties.

  Staring out the window, I attempt to absorb the magnitude of the events of the last few hours. The most important, the event that has allowed me to breathe once again, is John's arrest. Finally, I will get some peace, and Alex will be safe from my tumultuous past with John. The meeting with Matt went better than I'd expected, and I'm relieved the DA's office is not affected by prosecuting one of their own. John is highly respected in the legal community, even among the prosecutors at the DA's office. I'm sure no one wants to face the possibility of having to get a conviction against another attorney, especially one who is so well liked.

  I'm lost in thought until I feel the bed move. Alex crosses behind me, lightly kissing my nearly bare back. The sensation takes my breath away, and I'm instantly stimulated by his touch.

  "God, Kylie. You are so damn sexy, sitting here in this little ensemble," Alex whispers.

  He continues to entice me with his lips, leaving prickles everywhere they land across my back, settling his hands on my abdomen, and flexing his fingers into my skin. I grasp the sheets under me, pleasure coursing through me. Moving his hands over my thighs, he slowly parts my legs, and slides his fingers in between them.

  I moan as he runs the tips of his fingers along me. My head feels heavy with the anticipation of his fingers moving inside me, stroking me, insisting that I give myself to him.

  "Alex," I call.

  My body is reacting to him, building to a climax with the touch of his lips on my back and his hands between my legs. Lying back on the bed, I take in his amazing naked body. Every muscle tenses and flexes, driving me nearly insane. He leans over me, kisses my lips, playfully biting, and teases me with his tongue. He slides his body down next to me as his hands move under me, skillfully unhooking my bra and effortlessly removing it. Gently, he massages my breasts, and I arch into him, wanting his hands filled, needing to feel my hard nipples pushing into his palms.

  We deepen our kiss, passionately but not forcefully. Alex moves in between my legs, and I am so eager for him, so impatient. Gently, he enters me, slowly, gradually, ensuring that every inch is felt and appreciated. This is deliberately stimulating and fortifying our commitment on some level. It's a quiet, intensely personal celebration of our future together.

  We move as one, completely in sync with each other. Nothing is rushed.

  I slide my hands along his back, feeling his strength and his movement under my fingers. Kissing me along my neck, he hits every spot with the singular purpose of providing me with pleasure. It's profoundly caring, loving, and warm but still steamy and erotic. It's all Alex and his amazing ability to make me feel things I have never felt before.

  My breathing picks up in intensity as my body ascends to its summit, and I feel Alex's breath on my skin as he whispers my name. Being with him is always a new and exciting experience, but this feels different. This feels deeper, as if this is more than us becoming one through sex. This feels life-affirming, redefining in some ways.

  Alex lifts his head and gazes at me. "Please tell me this is what it feels like," he
says

  "What?" I ask.

  "Making love." His soft voice is questioning, hopeful.

  My heart swells, and tears linger at the backs of my eyes. "Yeah." A smile crosses my face. "This is what it feels like."

  He dips his head, and caress my lips with his, our tongues sliding and dancing together. We continue climbing before finally jumping over the edge, swan-diving into our mutual orgasms. It was not the lust-filled, out-of-control urgency that we have felt lately. It was composed, purposeful, meaningful, and passionate.

  It's the first step—and a huge one at that. I'm heartened that we are taking it together, and he seems happy. I worry that he might revert to his fears and withdraw from me. Instead, we gaze into each other's eyes, and I try to reassure him that there is nothing to fear, that I will not be taken from him, and that he can trust love again.

  I am his. Always, forever.

  Chapter Sixty

  The champagne bottle pops behind me, and I turn to see Alex filling two crystal flutes as he stands over the kitchen sink. He saunters into the family room and slides next to me on the couch, handing a glass to me.

  "To a new chapter in our book," Alex says, lightly touching the rim of his glass to mine. "May it be no less exciting without the threat of death or bodily injury." He winks at me, and a smile slips across his handsome face.

  "Hear, hear." I take a long sip.

  I giggle as the bubbles tickle my throat. I'm so happy and alive that I don't even care if I sound like a silly schoolgirl. Life is good, and I'm not taking it for granted.

  John was arraigned earlier in the day, and Alex and I had a front-row seat for the show. John's disgust and anger were not well disguised as he entered the courtroom and took his seat at the defense table, spying us in the gallery directly behind the prosecution table. He seethed when Matt leaned over, asking me a clarifying question during the hearing.

  Not surprising to anyone, John pleaded not guilty. He looked over at me with hate and rage, the threat of violence so near the surface that it was highlighted by the throbbing vein in his neck. Alex sat forward to block John's view of me and looked straight at John. I didn't have to see Alex's eyes to know what was happening. The tension between John and Alex was visible in John's demeanor. If we hadn't been in a courtroom and John hadn't had armed guards within feet of him, there would have been a throw-down worthy of WWE coverage.

  Matt stuck to his guns during the hearing, blasting away at John. He argued that John was accused of very serious crimes, that he knew he was under suspicion with a warrant out for his arrest and continued to not only evade police, but also to harass and threaten Alex and me in the most horrific and disturbing manner imaginable.

  The judge, unimpressed with John's eloquence or status in the legal community, made an example of him and set bail at an astounding and unprecedented ten million dollars. It seemed nearly impossible to consider that John would be able to front the one million dollars that would allow him freedom until his trial.

  Alex and I are taking a deep breath, celebrating with strawberries and champagne and hopefully a night filled with mind-blowing sex.

  "I have something for you." Alex places his glass on the sofa table behind the couch. He grabs a bag off the table and pulls out an oblong box.

  I cover my heart with my hand when he opens it. Lying against the soft white velvet lining the interior is a necklace with a twin heart pendant. Two hearts—one with a ruby and the other with a diamond—are entwined together and hang from the solid white-gold box chain. I gaze at it, enamored by its beauty and simplicity.

  I stare at the necklace, tracing the ruby heart with my fingertip. "Is this one mine?" I ask, unable to look away.

  "Of course, baby. You're red hot."

  "And this one's yours—the strongest substance known to man, desired by so many women, the most precious stone." I run my finger around the diamond heart looped through my ruby heart.

  I lift my eyes to his. My chest is rising and falling rapidly but is filled with so much joy and comfort.

  He nods. "Linked together forever."

  It's a message. It's the words he's still unable to say. It's his way of giving himself to me, linking our lives together. Two distinctly different people, we were made to complement each other.

  "I love it, Alex."

  "Yeah?" he asks, his boyish grin flashing across his face.

  I nod and smile. "I love you."

  "I know, baby."

  He carefully takes the necklace from the box and places it around my neck. After clasping it at the back, he adjusts the pendant so that it lies over my heart. He lifts his eyes to mine, and something new is there. A light that has been building over the past few days, ever since his confession in the library. It's intense, glowing, and all consuming.

  "You love me, too."

  "Yes, I do, desperately," he says.

  I'm pretty sure I've stopped breathing.

  He lifts my chin, kissing me, and then looks deep into my eyes again. "I love you, Kylie."

  "Always?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

  "Forever."

  Chapter Sixty-One

  I reach across the bed, expecting to find smooth taut skin, but there is only the coolness of the sheets that have been without human touch for some time. I struggle to open my eyes as I peer over to Alex's side of the bed, visually confirming that my hand did not miss him but that I am indeed alone.

  I lift my head slightly and look around the room as the morning light shines brightly through the windows. It's Saturday. We had a long day yesterday, attending court, and an even longer night filled with our new, exciting lovemaking.

  I touch the necklace, and hold the double-heart pendant. I smile, recalling Alex finally telling me those three little words that made everything in my world seem to fall into place.

  He loves me.

  The beautiful morning draws me to the window where I can soak in the smell of the ocean mist and internalize a feeling of renewal. I love greeting the morning. It's been such a long time since I've kept to my morning routine of welcoming the new day with a run.

  Then, it hits me. John's locked up. I can go for a run without the worry of my nightmare coming true. Giddy and practically prancing into the closet, I pull on a pair of running shorts, a sports bra, and a tank top. Then, I grab my shoes and head to the kitchen.

  Jake is refilling his coffee cup as I enter, and I glance around, looking for Alex.

  "Going for a run?" Jake asks with a smile on his face, putting me at ease.

  I was a little apprehensive that he would balk at the idea, and my morning glory would be ruined by contention.

  "Yes, I am. Where's Alex?"

  "He had to run into town for something. He said he'd be back in a bit. Shouldn't be too long." Jake takes a large gulp of coffee.

  It's been a while since Alex went anywhere without Jake in tow, thanks to my crazy stalker ex-boyfriend. I shake the thought of John from my head. I will not allow him to invade my happiness for another moment. Today, I start my life anew, blissfully happy with Alex.

  "I'm going to head out so that I'll be back when he gets home." I open the sliding door.

  The sun's warm rays welcome me, and I start a slow pace toward the running path around the periphery of the estate.

  Around the first bend, where my dream discovery began, I smile at the clear path ahead, void of blood body parts. There is such a sense of calm that has filled me. It's partly due to John being in jail. But a bigger part stems from Alex and me finally overcoming our demons and finding love.

  I used to roll my eyes when I would hear cliché statements from my friends who were so in love, but now, every stinking one of them applies to me. I want to shout from the rooftops that love conquers all, that we are two hearts that beat as one, that all we need is love. I smile, humming the last line in my head, knowing it's going to get stuck there, and I will spend the rest of the day with The Beatles serenading me.

  Movement in the tre
es catches my attention from the corner of my eye. I slow my pace. The sound of branches breaking echoes, but it is gone just as quickly as it filled the air. Nothing is visible among the trees, and I laugh inwardly at my hypersensitivity to a squirrel or rabbit trying to keep up with me on my run.

  Picking up my pace again, I round the next corner and come to an abrupt halt. A man steps from the trees and stands in the middle of the path. His arms are across his chest, a smirk across his face.

  Fuck!

  John Sysco is larger than life, looking as if he doesn't have a care in the world.

  My heart jumps into my throat, and tremors take over my body. I look at him, almost disbelieving that he is actually there. It’s just a nightmare. It’s not real. I pray I will wake up, safely wrapped in Alex's arms.

  I force my eyes to blink, to clear this horrendous sight from in front of me, but he remains. And I know this is the beginning of the end for one of us. I take a couple of small steps back, prepared to turn and run like hell toward the house. I'm fast. I can get there before he can. I can at least get halfway and scream. That will alert Jake.

  I can do this. I can save myself.

  Chapter Sixty-Two

  "Don't fucking move, Kylie."

  I look at him, gauging whether there's enough distance between us for me to get a decent jump on running away. But it's too late. I lock my gaze on the gun pointed at me, the silver muzzle glinting in the sun. I might be able to outrun John but not a bullet. My lungs push painfully against my ribs, and I struggle to pull in air.

  John's not here to threaten me or scare me. He's here to kill me.

  "You don't look very happy to see me." He snickers, taking a step toward me.

  "How are you here? You were in jail." I fumble for words, taking a couple of awkward steps backward.