Zach felt his parents were somewhat responsible for Eli’s behavior. For one, he was the baby in the family, but that aside, there was fifteen years difference between Eli and their sister, Anna. Anna was mostly independent when Eli was born. So Eli was spoiled, and he knew how to wrap their parents around his little finger and get what he wanted.
Now he was giving them trouble, and since Zach was the only sibling who still lived near his parents, it was his job to help them control Eli.
It was moments like this, all alone in animal form that he could forget about his responsibilities.
And just breathe.
***
Deborah wondered if her eyes looked as bad as they felt. Not only did they burn, but they felt puffy and sore. Was it any wonder they felt that way after only having three and a half hours sleep? Sure, she’d dozed on and off in the car, but it hadn’t been restful by any means.
Sitting at Ginny’s kitchen table, Deborah fought the fatigue that was attempting to drag her down. These nightmares were killing her. She wished with everything she had that they would just go away. That the whole ordeal would just go away. The drugs that were supposed to help her sleep did just that, but they didn’t stop the nightmares. And falling asleep after a nightmare was never easy. That was the reason she sat at the table now, sipping strong black coffee. Two in one night was more than she could take. Maybe it would be better if she just didn’t sleep.
Right…like that was going to happen.
Her fingers tapped in time to the music playing in her mind. She missed playing the piano. But Deborah wasn’t foolish enough to get back on her tour bus and continue the stops she’d planned before she’d been…attacked. She knew perfectly well her fans were disappointed over her cancellations, but she also hoped they understood she just needed to take time off to heal body and mind.
Not all of the details of her abduction had been made public, and for that she was grateful. The press release her manager had given had stated that an obsessed fan had taken her hostage, keeping her tied up before she was discovered by her bodyguard. The rest was too private to divulge and Deborah was glad none of the other details had leaked to the media.
When her cell phone rang she nearly fell off her chair. Calming her heartbeat and pulse, she checked the caller ID then breathed a sigh of relief to see it was her bodyguard. She answered it with a breathy, “Hi, Bruce.”
“Hey, sweetie. How are you doing?”
“I’m managing. How are you doing? How’s the shoulder?”
“Stiff, but I’ve had worse. Seriously, how are you doing?”
She sighed, running a finger along the rim of her cup. “The nightmares are still pretty bad. Can you believe they let him go?”
“It kills me, Deb, it really does. I should be with you right now.”
The sympathy and kindness she heard in his voice did wonders for her. “I’m okay here, really, and you need to get better.”
“I’d get better faster knowing you’re safe and the only way that’ll happen is if I come stay with you.”
She didn’t want to admit to him that in a small way, she preferred this time alone, not to have him hovering around her day and night. “I’m safe here, Bruce, really. You’re the only one who knows where I am so I feel pretty secure knowing he won’t come after me.” Yet she still jumped at every shadow and refused to enter a house alone. Wasn’t that pathetic?
“I know. Still…”
“Bruce, stop worrying about me. For once in your life, worry about yourself. Enjoy being pampered by Casey.” She wished she could see his face now because she was pretty sure he was beaming from ear to ear. He really was head over heels in love with Casey. and Deborah couldn’t be happier.
“All right, but if you need anything, sweetie, you just call me. Okay?”
The guy was a worrywart and she loved him for it. “I will. Get better soon, Bruce.”
“You too, Deb.”
She closed up her Black Berry then dropped her head on the table and closed her eyes. Would she ever feel safe?
She bolted straight up, eyes wide when a hand touched her shoulder. Deb blinked a few times before she saw it was Ginny standing beside her. “Oh, hey.”
“Did you sleep here all day?”
Blinking her tired, sore eyes, Deborah stared at her friend with confusion. “I didn’t sleep here. I just put my head down for a second after talking to Bruce and then you came down. And what are you doing up so early? It’s not even ten in the morning.”
It was Ginny’s turn to look confused. “It’s nearly one in the afternoon, Deb.”
“What? No way.” She laughed but as she looked at the clock on the stove she saw her friend was right. “Oh…wow. I must have dosed off.”
“Apparently for over three hours. Did you get any sleep last night?” Ginny scuffed her feet along the linoleum on her way to the counter.
“Some.” She watched as Ginny took the coffee pot, dumped out the cold coffee then set it to brew a fresh batch. As odd as it may seem, she felt more rested now than she had in days. Maybe she should sleep at the table more often. Maybe that was the key. Being in a bed reminded her too much of her ordeal.
Yet she’d dreamt of it in the car…
“Some.” Ginny shook her head as she sat across from her friend. “You look like hell, and you have a line across your face from the table. Go upstairs and get some rest.”
Frowning, Deborah felt her face and to her shock there it was, the line Ginny spoke about. Wonderful. “Actually, I feel pretty good right now. As a matter of fact, I feel like cooking. What would you like for lunch?”
“Breakfast for me and you don’t have to cook.”
“I don’t have to but I want to,” Deborah stated while getting to her feet. “How about an omelet?” It would give her something to do and keep her mind off of her problems.
“Um…not sure what I have in the fridge that would work in an omelet.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to figure it out.” As she began snooping through Ginny’s fridge, Deborah felt as light as air. Maybe cat naps were the trick.
***
Two days in a row of slow business was not to his liking. Seeing the scant twenty people in his bar was disturbing. Taking the spot at the end of the bar, Zach signaled Simone. She sat beside him, and recited her orders to Wade before turning her attention to Zach. “What’s up, handsome?”
“What is with the deadness?”
“Well, it is a demon bar, sweetie,” Simone giggled, putting a palm to his cheek
He took her hand, kissed her palm then nipped the tips of her fingers with his teeth. “You’re a riot. Where is everyone? Anyone talking? You pick anything up?” It wasn’t just that he was losing business but more worry as to why his usual crowd wasn’t hanging out like they did on most nights.
“Wanna give me a bottle of water, Wade? Thanks. I’ve heard some talk,” she said to Zach. “And I feel to blame for this. Seems some of the regulars are a little leery about coming in because of the…cops being here so much lately.”
“You are not to blame,” he insisted, taking her chin in his hand. “So wipe that thought from your brain. I guess I should have suspected as much with the cops coming in and asking around about that serial killer. I’d hoped it wouldn’t bother the customers, but I guess I was fooling myself.” Even though he promised a safe haven for the underworld, having cops frequent the place was still unnerving.
“They’ll come around,” Simone reassured him with a squeeze to her hand.
“I’m sure they will. In time. How are you doing? You look great.” Which shouldn’t be a surprise considering she always looked great, but after her ordeal, he’d been a bit worried she might slip back down.
She fluffed her hair and smiled. “You know just what to say to make a girl f
eel special. I’m doing great. Told myself to let it go and move on and so I am. Well, I better get these drinks to their owners before they start bitching.” But before she left, she took several gulps of water from the bottle Wade had set in front of her.
She really did look good, and Zach hoped it stayed that way.
“Well isn’t it a fun, lively house today,” Ginny joked as she came up to the bar. “I think I’ll take my break now while it’s slow. Do you have a minute to spare for me, Zach?”
He acknowledged Ginny with a tip of his head. “You bet.”
“Can we…um…maybe talk in your office?”
Whatever it was she wanted to discuss seemed serious by the look on her face. “Of course. Wade, put the word out that the Demon’s Lair is still a safe ground and for the next two days, all patrons will get one free drink.”
“Will do, boss.” Wade saluted him as Zack walked off with Ginny at his side.
He let Ginny into his office and led her to the sofa rather than the office chairs. He had a feeling it was more of a personal chat than a professional one. “What can I do for you, Ginny?”
She folded her hands on her lap and let out a long breath before beginning. “I need some suggestions on what to do about my friend. You know that friend I told you about that was coming to stay with me for a while?” He nodded, she continued. “Well…she’s…um…hell, I’m just going to come out with it. She was abducted last week and held against her will by a guy claiming to be her biggest fan. He hurt her, not just physically but emotionally—so much so that she can’t sleep, she jumps at every noise, and she pushes the dresser against her bedroom door at night.”
It tore at his heart to think of this poor woman’s ordeal. “It takes victims time to heal.”
She let out another breath. “I know and it really hasn’t been that long. Still…She slept in her car last night while I was at work because she was too afraid to go into the house alone. She’s a mess, Zach. When I got home and convinced her to go into the house, she was shaking like a leaf and while we searched the house to reassure her he wasn’t there, I thought she was going to black out on me. This is a woman who is used to crowds, used to people clambering for her autograph, tugging at her as she walks past them. She used to be fearless, and now…” she held her hands out, palms up.
“Is she a celebrity?”
“She’s a renowned concert pianist. Maybe you’ve heard of her. Deborah Carmichael.”
One of his waitresses knew Deborah Carmichael. He was envious. “Yes. I’ve heard her play. She’s brilliant.” She really was. She had a way with the music that drew you in and kept you hooked from the very first note.
“Yeah, she is, and now that bastard has her cowering. What can I do to help her?”
He leaned back in his seat, smoothed out his trousers. “Is she seeing a therapist?”
“No. She refused. Said she could handle it on her own. She isn’t doing so well.”
“You could suggest she take some self defense courses.”
“And that’s why I’m here, asking you.” She blinked her eyes sweetly. “Would you help her?”
He smirked, gave his chin a scratch. “I should have seen it coming. I could try.” He could never turn down a damsel in distress.
“Thanks. You’re the greatest.” Throwing her arms around his neck, she gave him a loud smooch on the cheek. “She’s going to be coming in soon. I convinced Mitch to bring her in for a drink. She didn’t argue too much because we both know she didn’t want to be alone in my house all night. As soon as she comes in, I’ll let you know.”
“You do that.” He stood and held his hand out to help her to her feet. “But be prepared, Ginny. She may not accept my help or yours.”
“I know, but I have to try.”
Chapter Ten
Why had she agreed to this? Was she crazy? She had to be to have agreed to go to a demon bar to visit her friend. A demon bar, for pity sake. She should back out. She should tell Mitch to turn the car around and take her back to Ginny’s house. But the idea of being there alone wasn’t any better than stepping into a bar where demons hung out.
She hated this. She hated what she’d become. A spineless coward is what she was now, and it sickened her. She’d never been terrified of anything…well, practically nothing. Snakes terrified her, but it certainly didn’t affect her life. Her abduction was, and there was nothing she could do about it.
“Here we are.”
With a deep gulp of air, Deborah looked out at the building before her. It looked so normal on the outside. It actually looked nice. The brick and wood worked well together, and the colors were very pleasing to the eye. It was silly of her to expect it to be painted in bold blood red just because demons and vampires frequented it. The dark brown wood with the red brick was a very nice touch.
Yet when Mitch parked the car, she found herself glued to her seat. When he pulled her door open, her heart sped up so much that she felt lightheaded.
Then he held his hand out to her.
Swallowing her fear, Deborah took his hand and faked a smile. Could he see how scared she was? Did he feel her shaking?
“You’re safe here, Deb,” he reassured her with a squeeze of her hand. Obviously he could see she was terrified.
She was being foolish, and Mitch was being so understanding and kind to have done this for her. “Ginny is a lucky woman.”
His face brightened when he smiled. He really was a cutie with that boy-next-door face covered in a light dusting of hair on his chin and upper lip.
“Gee, thanks.” Still grinning, he led her to the front door.
The instant it was opened the music shot out at her with heart thumping-rhythm. She wasn’t a huge fan of rock, especially not the harder stuff, but she was willing to endure it for a few hours.
When the huge man stepped out of the shadows her heart nearly stopped. She couldn’t breathe.
“Hey, Benny. How’s it going?” Mitch asked him and Deborah let out the breath she’d been holding.
“Can’t complain. Ginny know about you dating other women?” Benny smirked as he looked Deborah over while holding a clipboard with a piece of paper attached to it.
She faked a smile and told herself to stay calm.
“Well sure. She’s big into threesomes.”
“I’m her friend,” Deborah piped in, appalled at the line of conversation.
Mitch swung an arm over her and laughed. “He knew you were coming. We were only kidding. You need to sign that before we can go in,” he added lastly as he took the clipboard from Benny.
She took the pen, scowling at both men. She didn’t find that funny in the least. “What’s this?” she asked, glancing over the form in front of her.
“It’s a waver stating that you’re aware of the bar you’re entering into and the clientele that come in to enjoy drinks and…more.” Benny smirked.
“More?”
“Sometimes, vamps want to drink from humans and humans find it arousing. It’s like a drug for them. By signing that waver, it says that you know what you’re in for if you agree to let vamps or demons drink from you.”
Had the color just drained from her body? “I don’t want vampires or demons drinking from me. I don’t think this is such a good—”
“Debbie!” Ginny squealed, drawing Deborah’s attention. She came running toward her, arms open. “I’m so glad you came.”
She went into her friends arms with a frown. “I don’t know that I can stay. I don’t want a vampire or a demon drinking from me.” Had Ginny allowed her blood to be taken by these monsters?
Ginny released her but took hold of her hands. “You don’t have to let them drink from you. And they won’t take you unless you agree to it. You’re safe here, Deb, trust me.”
With a heavy sigh, Debora
h signed her name on the form and handed it back to Benny. She still wasn’t sure about this.
“Come on, I want to introduce you to all of my friends. Hey, baby.” Ginny leaned in and nibbled on Mitch’s lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Wondered when you’d get to me.” Mitch tweaked her nose.
Ginny took one of Mitch’s hands in hers, and Deborah’s in the other and dragged them into the bar.
Bright lights flashed, red lights glittered, and smoke filled the dance floor. It was an interesting set-up, with a balcony above, which Deborah assumed was to allow the patrons there to watch the dance floor below. All and all, it was pretty decent looking.
Ginny led her to the bar and though she told herself not to stare, Deborah couldn’t help but gawk at the weird-looking demon three seats down. He had fangs coming out of his chin. What the hell?
“Wade, this is my best friend, Deborah. Deb, this is Wade. He’s our regular bartender and an all around great guy. He’s married with two kids but he likes to flirt with the waitresses.”
Wade was a tall man with sandy hair cut short against his head. He had a broad face, a strong face with a smile that told you he was an easy-going person.
She took his hand and returned the smile. “Pleasure to meet you.” She didn’t see fangs or horns or oddly tinted eyes so she figured he was human.
“Pleasure’s all mine. Ginny gave me one of your albums for Christmas. The wife listens to it while she’s doing yoga. She absolutely loves it.”
“I’m glad she enjoys it.”
“This is Simone,” Ginny introduced. “Simone, my BFF, Deb.”
Deborah turned to the sultry brunette before her and was instantly envious of not only her height but her silky smooth skin as well. “Nice to meet you.”
“So you’re the famous Deb that Gin is always talking about. It’s great to finally put a face to the name.”
“I brag about you. What can I say?” Ginny blushed. Come on, I’ll get you a table.” Dragging them once again, Ginny led both Deborah and Mitch to a table near the dance floor. “You make sure and take her for a few spins, Mitch,” Ginny insisted, leaning down to kiss him in a slow passionate move that actually made Deborah uncomfortable. “Now, what’ll the two of you have to drink, this fine evening?”
Shiela Stewart - [Darkness 08] Page 6
