Blind Love (Sulfur Heights Series)

by Brannon, M. S.

  Emerson is waiting for me in the foyer when I walk through the door. His blue eyes twinkle slightly until he gets a good look at me. My hair is disheveled and falling all over the place, eyes burning red, and my arm still has blood on it from Jake’s hand.

  Emerson walks to me, snatching my arm up in his hand and asks, “What the hell happened?”

  “Jake…” I sputter, unable to get the words out of my mouth.

  “Did he hurt you?” Emerson’s voice booms against the walls in the foyer, causing me to startle.

  “God, no! He would never do that.” I jerk my arm out of Emerson’s hold, not wanting to get the Knox interrogation. I just want to take a shower, wrap myself in my comforter and then drift off to sleep.

  “Look, I’m sorry about the other day. I shouldn’t have gotten angry with you about going to Presley’s funeral. I know how much you cared for her.” Emerson walks to my side and wraps his tan arm around me.

  Guilt rolls over me. Guilt because I gave my heart to someone else and yet I’m still promised to be his wife. Guilt because I slept with Jake, gave him my virginity; something Emerson was so sure belonged to him and now it’s gone. Just like Jake—gone forever.

  “It’s okay. I just want to take a shower and sleep. The last few days have been a nightmare.”

  “It’s done then?” His fatherly tone appears, angering me the moment it connects with my eardrums. “You said your goodbyes to Sulfur Heights?”

  “Yes,” I whisper and release more tears.

  “Where did the blood come from?” He lifts my arm, holding it up to my line of sight.

  “Jake didn’t take my breaking off our friendship very well. He punched the wall until his hands bled and I guess it got on me.”

  I look at my arm and remember how angry and hurt he was, how broken his eyes were when I told him I wasn’t in love with him.

  “I’m going to shower now.”

  I make my way upstairs, dragging my suitcase behind me, which thumps against each step as it connects with the wood. The hollow sound in the stairway matches the hollowness inside my chest. Now I need to learn how to live without Jake in my life. The person he’s resurrected will be dormant as I continue to live my life as the Delilah I have been raised to be.

  Chapter 27

  Jake

  Two long fucking weeks have gone by and I’ve spent every day for the last two weeks planted on a bar stool, drinking whiskey—numbing the pain. Darcie passes me fresh drinks as I empty my glass, knowing I won’t talk about my issues, but she knows full well I have one. She’s never been one to pry and this is probably why Delilah has been able to get so much out of me. She’s had a way of prying and wedging her way in my life until I spilled my guts and exposed my dark feelings.

  Today is no different than any other day. I drink and play pool. The bar is booming on a Friday night and I’m on the prowl to find a girl to bury myself in and clear my mind of Delilah for good. There’s a lot of women to choose from, but not a single one even comes close to the girl I’m craving.

  It pisses me off how much I think about her regardless of my inebriated state. Delilah scarred women for me. She scarred everything for me. All I think about day and night is her and the fact that she rejected me. God, she’s a damn bitch. A bitch that I fucking love. Jesus Christ, now I’m thinking like a pussy. I sink my head closer to the bar until another shot of liquor appears in front of me. I wink to Darcie and then slam it down, enjoying the burn.

  Again, I look at all the beauties in the bar, some of whom I’ve fucked already and it does nothing for me. Not a single one of them. Until, through the sea of people, fiery red hair grabs my attention. Awe, my little redhead. Her timing is perfect as usual, especially now when I need to take a ride on the freaky side. She’s always been able to get my attention, and tonight, I think she will be the needed distraction I’ve been looking for to erase the last bit of Delilah from my brain.

  Wasting no time, I abandon my barstool and meet her in the middle of the room. Her brown eyes glimmer as she licks her lips. She knows what I like and is not afraid to show me what she’s willing to do. I snatch the redhead’s hand in mine and pull her to the back room, locking the door behind me.

  “Where’ve you been, Jake? I missed you.” She seduces as she removes her shirt, exposing her small breasts. The redhead teases and tugs on her nipples, instantly getting me hard and ready to fuck.

  I have no desire to learn her name because all she will ever be is another way to pass the time. She’s proud to be a dirty, fucking slut and I love it. Dammit, she’s exactly what I need right now—a hardcore tramp.

  “That’s none of your fucking business. Now get on your knees and suck my dick.” I’ve never had to sugarcoat anything with her. She’s a freak and loves it when I demand my wants. She’s always been willing to let me do anything to her and of course the only woman I’ve ever been with who’s excited to have her friend along for the ride.

  “Oh, yes, sir.” She winks then removes the rest of her clothes while stalking my way. I unzip my pants, preparing myself to claim her mouth. I stroke my dick, waiting for her lips to wrap around it when flashes of Delilah flood my brain.

  It takes my breath away, and when I close my eyes, all I can see—feel—is Delilah. The sensation of her skin against my body and her lips pressing into mine only reminds me of how perfect she is. God, I miss her lips. Kissing her has been the closest I’ve been to happiness, ever, and the sounds she makes when she reaches her ultimate climax are the best noises in creation.

  I can’t do this.

  I can’t be with anyone right now. It’s not fair to anyone involved. The thought of caring so much pisses me off, but I know I can’t be with her right now. I can’t be with anyone right now.

  I’m ruined.

  Delilah fucking ruined me.

  The redhead is wildly sucking my cock and I didn’t even realize it. I’ve been too wrapped up in Delilah to even notice I’ve had another woman latched on to my junk.

  I pull her mouth off of me and stand her up. She is filled with lust and ready for us to have sex… but I just can’t. The only place I want to be is with Delilah and the redhead won’t do. Nothing will.

  She turns around, one knee up on the stacks of beer and the other planted to the floor. Her pale, milky skin is slick with sweat and her ass is poised for me to slam into her. But I just can’t. I don’t want anything to do with her right now or ever. I’ve got to get the hell out of here.

  “Look, I… I… can’t do this.” I zip up my pants and pick up her clothes off the cold floor.

  “From the look of you,” her eyes glide down and stare at my cock tucked away behind my jeans, “I would say you’re fine.” She saunters forward and I stop her, putting her at arm’s length.

  “Get dressed. I’m not going to fuck you.”

  “Oh, man, such a waste. I never thought I’d see the day when Jake Evans would be pussy whipped. Now look at you. All love sick and stupid.”

  I pull open the door, trying to think of something shitty to say back to her, but I can’t. I simply shrug and say, “Me, either.”

  Darcie is working behind the bar tonight alongside Gavin. Reggie is in his office, hiding from the crowd, and Drake is where he’s been since Presley’s death—either holding Mia in his arms or shut in his room. Jeremy is the only brother who seems to be missing in action lately. I’m not sure why or where he goes, but he hasn’t been right in the head since that horrible night.

  I take a seat in front of the bar when Reggie emerges from his office to signal Darcie and me to follow him back to the room, seriousness written all over his face. My gut drops to my feet. I immediately think of Jeremy and what he may or may not have done to Carter.

  Reggie shuts the door, silencing the noise of the bar and leans against the old, wooden desk. “I just got off the phone with the investigator.” My heart is pounding against my ribs, making it hurt with every beat. “They’ve found Carter.”

  “Is
he dead?” I ask, already knowing the answer and feeling helpless knowing my brother killed him.

  “He was beat to hell when they found him, but no, he’s not dead.” Shock and disbelief pour over me. “He’s been arrested and has been locked up for the last week. Apparently, Carter accepted a plea deal with the new prosecuting attorney and will plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter in exchange for getting a minimum sentence of ten years.”

  “Get a plea deal, for what?” Darcie snaps back and begins to pace the room. “That doesn’t make any sense!” And I think to myself, What the fuck would he need a deal on? What does Carter know and why is he sharing it with the police?

  “You’re telling me, angel. I tried to get it out of the investigator, but he’s being tight lipped about everything.” The stress behind Reggie’s eyes is evident as he runs his hand across his brow and releases a deep sigh.

  “Oh, my God, Robert!” Darcie’s breath nearly leaves her body when she speaks. “Does he know about what happened to Robert?” Her eyes fill immediately with tears, knowing if Carter has evidence against Reggie, or any of us, we could all be facing jail time for aiding and abetting his murderer.

  “I don’t know. The investigator wouldn’t say, but the good part is that Carter is off the streets and will be in jail for a long time. Well, ten years at least.” Reggie runs his hands through his hair and paces back and forth. I know he’s worried about his freedom—we all are—but there is no fucking way Carter has evidence of Robert’s murder. That was years ago and Carter wasn’t even living in Sulfur Heights at the time.

  We all stand in the office together saying nothing. Reggie attempts to comfort Darcie, however she won’t have it and pushes him away. He’s angry and hurt.

  “No! You’re not getting taken from me. I won’t have you ripped from my life. You know I won’t survive.” Reggie yanks her in his arms and holds Darcie tightly as she breaks down.

  I walk from the room, closing the door behind me and leaving them alone. Nothing could have prepared me for this, and if it’s evidence against us for Robert’s murder, we will all have to face the fire. Every single one of us.

  I walk back out to the room and snatch a bottle of Jack from behind the bar. I need to be drunk. I don’t want to think any more about Carter, Reggie, Robert or Jeremy. I just want to shut everything off.

  Walking out the door, I stagger my way home, sipping whiskey and wishing I could talk to Delilah. She’s always had a way of calming my raging emotions and bringing me back down to earth. She’s the only one person I want to talk to right now, yet I can’t because she’s now dead to me.

  ***

  My face is pushed into the rough fabric of the couch as I’m awoken to men swarming me. Guns pointed at my skull. What the fuck is going on right now? I can’t even register what’s happening as I drop the empty whiskey bottle from my hand and swing my elbow back, cracking one of men on the bridge of his nose.

  It’s when I hear Mia crying and Darcie screaming that the fogginess clears immediately and my reflexes take over. Flipping myself around, I punch a guy in the face and knock his gun to the floor before three other men tackle me to the ground. There’s a knee in my neck and my arms are being jerked behind my back. I buck and thrash, trying to get out of their grip, but the hold gets tighter when I hear a man say, “DEA, asshole. Hold fucking still.” What? DEA? Why the hell is the DEA here?

  When I’m brought to my feet, officers are everywhere, destroying our house. Drawers are open and the contents have been dumped onto the floor. The sound of glass breaking and the word clear is exchanged back and forth between the rooms. This can’t be happening right now. The house is being ransacked and trashed as the DEA officers pilfer through our belongings.

  I’m ushered outside in handcuffs, escorted down the steps and told to sit on the ground while the DEA agents rip apart our house. Darcie is holding Mia closely to her chest, cooing and humming in an attempt to comfort the baby.

  “What the fuck is going on, Darcie?”

  “I don’t know. They just showed up with a warrant and busted into the house. I grabbed Mia from her highchair and that’s when I saw them beating you down. They said they have testimony from someone who claims we sell dope here. I called Reggie and Drake. They’re on their way from work.” She rubs Mia’s back, calming her immediately. “I hope they get here soon. This is a fucking mess. Do you know where the hell Jeremy’s been?”

  My stomach drops as I shake my head then think about the last few weeks and Jeremy’s behavior. Is he strung out on dope? The thought hasn’t even occurred to me, but his change in behavior sure as shit is like he’s been high on something.

  “That fucking Carter Brown did this,” Darcie spits out. “I can guarantee it. He’s putting all of this on us so he can get a lesser charge.” I nod my head in agreement. What a weasel and chicken shit pussy. The handcuffs are cutting into my flesh and tearing away my skin as I flex my muscles from anger.

  Moments later, Reggie and Drake come running up the driveway, only to be stopped by officers. “What the fuck is going on?” Reggie is screaming at the police, demanding answers. The officers immediately slap Reggie in cuffs and escort him to stand next to Darcie. “Why is my brother handcuffed? What’s he done wrong?” The question hurts slightly. I know it’s quite possible I’ve done something stupid enough to get arrested, but it stung nonetheless. “And why the hell are you tearing up my property?”

  “He was cuffed and will more than likely be charged with assault for hitting two police officers,” the DEA agent replies, stone-faced and cold.

  I look over to Reggie and smirk. “I was confused. They woke me up and I didn’t know what was going on. I broke someone’s nose and punched another dude.”

  Drake walks over to Darcie, taking Mia out of her arms. He’s holding her tightly when the garage door flies open and Jeremy comes stalking out. He walks to the back of the Challenger parked in the driveway and pops open the trunk. Then he pulls a black backpack from the trunk—a backpack so familiar it raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Jeremy turns the bag over, and dumps packs of white powder and bundles of cash onto the concrete.

  “There’s nothing in the house. Here’s what you’re looking for,” Jeremy shouts as the DEA agents swarm his car and slam him into the hood, putting cuffs around his wrists as well.

  Drake practically tosses Mia into Darcie’s arms and shouts, “What is this? You’re a fucking drug dealer?”

  Jeremy says nothing as Reggie steps in front of Drake, quietly talking him off the ledge. It does no good, though. Reggie is still cuffed and is in no position to stop him. Drake is outside of himself, angry.

  I stare at my twin, completely astonished as to what’s going on right now, when Drake’s booming voice cuts through my thoughts. “Are you the other supplier? Were you the other dealer working with Carter?” He’s livid and angry. The police officers soon intervene, making a wall between Jeremy and Drake. “You asshole! You fucking killed her!” Drake pushes his way through the officers, trying to get his hands on Jeremy, but is soon stopped. “You goddamn fucking piece of shit!” he screams as handcuffs are securely wrapped around his wrists.

  Here we all are. The four of us The Evans’ brothers. Once as close as brothers can be, but now we’re handcuffed and falling apart. Hate has fueled our energy to hurt and now the hate has turned against us as Drake accuses Jeremy of being a murderer.

  Finally, the officers push Drake against the chain link fence. The same fence only weeks ago he collapsed against when Presley’s lifeless body was ripped from his arms.

  “You fucking killed her!” Drake keeps shouting over and over. Angry and betrayed by his brother—the sight is gutting.

  I’m pulled to my feet by the DEA agent I punched in the face and ushered down the driveway alongside Jeremy. Both of us in cuffs and both of us going to jail. No longer can Jeremy be called the good twin, he’s just as evil as me. My mind spins with the thought. What the hell has he done to our fam
ily?

  Delilah

  Wedding dress fittings are wearing in itself, but when my mother is along, the experience is agonizingly exhausting. I’m so glad this is the last fitting before the wedding. In less than a month I will be marrying Emerson Knox and I can’t escape the sickening feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.

  If you asked me six months after I started dating him, I would have been happier than a kid in a candy store to marry Emerson, but now all I feel is suffocated and sad.

  I haven’t talked to Jake in weeks. My heart breaks every time I think of something funny he said or the pain in his eyes when I told him I couldn’t be with him. That last look was tortuous, killing, and it will be forever burned in my mind.

  My mother and I sit down in a bistro across from the bridal shop to have lunch. The spring Memphis air is perfect as the sun gleams from the sky and the light warm air blows through my hair. I love this time of year in Memphis. The flowers begin to bloom, the trees fill with life and it’s perfect weather to spend time outdoors before the summer humidity sets in.

  Spending time with mother lately has been unbearable. All she thinks about and continuously talks about is Emerson and I. If it’s not the new house he’s purchased, it’s what our kids will look like, or the prestigious honor of being related to the Knox family. She’s already planning holiday meals and gatherings we will have together as a family—two of the wealthiest families are finally merging. The conversation is annoying, but it consumes her with happiness.

  My mother’s goal from the time I was born has been to make me into a perfect wife so that I could marry into a family as wealthy as ours. It’s sickening to me, but I don’t have the guts to tell her otherwise. I love my mother and after spending time in Sulfur Heights I’m glad I have parents who care about me as much as they do, however she is smothering.