"Time for some more fun I'd assume," he muttered to himself.
He ripped her dress in half and watched it flutter to the floor. She watched as his eyes trailed down her body, her skin crawling uncomfortably. She could feel the wooden floor beneath her toes and her arms straining slightly from their position above her head. A slight tug let her know it was the rope that was holding her hands together. He reached out a hand and ran it down her left breast. An evil smile crossed his lips as he stared at her white panties and light blue and white mid-thigh garter. He backed away from her and went toward the door across the room. Her eyes widened, and her breath quickened as he walked back toward her with a long knife in his hand. He placed the tip of the knife in the nape of her neck. His other hand rested on her stomach, lightly tracing the faint scars there.
"These look...quite extraordinary," he murmured slowly, lightly trailing his index finger on a scar going down toward her underwear. "Why I remember one time…” he began but got cut off as Roxanna's foot collided roughly with his stomach. “Argh!”
He hunched over with a loud, strangled scream, the knife slipping out of his grasp. She kicked out at him again and again, ignoring her heels knocking into the wall behind her. A hand gripped her ankle tightly, and a scream left her as she felt the knife embed itself into her calf. Her other leg kicked wildly before a hard punch to her stomach took away her breath and energy. His hand gripped her hair and pulled her head back, scraping her skull against the wall. His warm breath hit her ear as the knife once again rested on her neck.
"You shouldn't have done that," he whispered menacingly.
He pressed the knife deeper into her skin and watched as the blood slowly started coming out. He pulled the knife down the middle of her chest, cutting her white strapless bra in half on its path downwards.
"Beautiful," he murmured softly.
Chapter Two
It was beautiful in Nick’s opinion. Silver and ivory accents decorated the walls and ceiling, and pure white flowers were scattered on the carpet, courtesy of Anastaysia, Roxanna's six-year-old niece. Light blue dresses, each a different style but the same shade, clothed the three bridesmaids as well as the two Matrons of Honor.
It's finally here, Nick thought to himself as he gazed around the room with a small smile. The day I get to marry the love of my life.
A tap on his back interrupted his thought train. He glanced over his shoulder at Joe, his Best Man with a raised eyebrow.
"It's been ten minutes," Joe whispered, his eyes moving between the groom and the closed door at the end of the aisle.
Nick turned back toward the audience and clenched his fists together slightly, swearing quietly under his breath at Joe for reminding him. He looked at the twins in the front row, Mackenzie sitting on his mom’s lap wearing a light blue dress with white and silver flower accents on it and Darien sitting on Roxanna’s mom’s lap in a gray tux with a light blue tie.
We'll just keep waiting, he thought to himself, his eyes burning into the wood of the room's large doors. Something's just holding her up right now. She wouldn't just leave me hanging. I know she wouldn't.
The bridal tune continued to play softly in the background, the audience slowly becoming aware of the bride's nonappearance. Nick's eyes widened in happiness as he caught sight of the doors opening. The guests’ attention quickly moved toward the door, as well. They soon narrowed in confusion as Victor Sarmiento stood at the end of the aisle alone. Nick took in his, hopefully, future father-in-law's wide eyes and took a few steps in his direction.
"Victor..." Nick began.
"She's gone!" Victor cried out as he ran down the aisle toward Nick. "I went to go get her, but she wasn't there. There was blood...and glass on the...she's gone."
Nick grabbed Victor's arm and tugged him closer. He glared into her father's pure silver eyes, his mind not fully processing what he said.
"What do you mean she's gone? Why is she alone?" Nick growled out through clenched teeth.
"She wanted a few minutes to herself. I just went to the bathroom. I didn't go but four minutes," Victor explained. "Nick, I don't know what happened."
"Papi, did you call the police?" Roxanna’s older sister asked, throwing her ivory bouquet onto the floor as her red eyes stared at her father's.
"Demi, they said fifteen minutes."
Nick stumbled back from Victor as his eyes blinked rapidly. A thousand images ran through is mind as he gazed unseeingly at Victor and Demi. He silently mouthed the word "police" before a tear slowly ran down his cheek. "This can't be happening again," he muttered to himself. He turned to Victor and wet his lips before speaking. "She's really gone?" he asked softly.
"I checked everywhere. I don't know what happened, Nick, I truly don't. Something...bad happened to her."
Nick slowly shook his head side to side, his hands tightening into fists at his side. He clenched his teeth together as he swallowed deeply. He turned to face the audience, his eyes roaming over every person in attendance.
"The wedding's off until we find Roxanna and bring her back where she belongs," Nick announced, his voice tight with pain and heartache.
He bowed his head after his announcement and made his way down the aisle toward the double doors, ignoring the guests’ startled exclamations and questions. The wedding party, along with Rosalinda and Abrianna, followed Nick out of the church, leaving the guests in a state of shock and disbelief. The group made their way to the room Roxanna was last seen in. Nick slowly opened the door and stared around the room with wide eyes. The cream colored futon was overturned onto the floor in front of the floor length mirror, and Roxanna's white heels were placed in front of the bathroom door. Her shoes were eerily undisturbed from the rest of the chaotic room. The wide bay window was shattered on the opposite side of the room, blood-stained glass scattered on the ground. Nick slowly walked toward the window and looked down at the street. He could barely make out the faint drops of blood on the sidewalk below him. He closed his eyes as he braced himself next to the jagged edge of the window. He took several long, deep breaths.
"This can't be happening again, Victor," Rosalina muttered under her breath to her husband.
A couple more minutes passed with the family members quietly talking amongst themselves, no one moving as they didn't want to disturb the scene. Nick turned around from the window just as three knocks sounded on the open door.
"My name is Detective Saymen. Someone called about a possible kidnapping," a male policeman stated as he entered the room, two more officers behind him.
"Yes, sir. My youngest daughter, Roxanna, was in this room alone for no more than five minutes and when I came back to get her, she was gone," Victor explained.
"Okay. We need to clear this building right now before anything else can happen. Coleman, get everyone in the chapel’s name and then get them to leave the premises," Saymen ordered to the tall female officer. "Jamieson, start taping the room and check around. Everyone else, follow me to the chapel."
The group left the room after the lead officer, leaving Nick and Jamieson standing behind. Nick stared down at the blood-stained glass in front of him, his teeth and hands clenched together tightly.
"You better find him before I do," Nick ground out as he moved his glare to the man standing before him, "because if you don't, there won't much of him left to prosecute."
Nick ignored the stunned look on Jamieson's face and stepped over the glass and walked toward the bathroom. He picked up her heels, cradling them in the crook of his arm, and turned toward the door.
"We'll do everything we can to bring her back, sir," Jamieson began, an indignant tone to his voice stopping Nick in his tracks. "But I don't think you should talk to me like that. I am a police officer and that means you have to respect me."
"I'll respect you when you bring my fiancée back."
Nick walked out the room, leaving Jamieson behind in shock.
"…any idea who did this?" Saymen finished saying as Nick walked to
ward the group at the altar.
"No, I mean Roxanna is a sweet, friendly girl," Rosalinda said. "She doesn't have any enemies."
"I see. Well, if there isn't anything else to tell me, I'm afraid you will have to go home and let us finish everything up here," Saymen announced. "Call me if anything comes up, anytime."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a white business card. He handed it to Victor before turning to face Nick. Nick watched the officer walk toward him and stop at his side.
"I will personally do everything I can to find Roxanna and bring her back to you safe and sound," Saymen muttered under his breath. "You can count on it."
He gently touched Nick's shoulder before walking out of the chapel, Nick's eyes following after him. As the door closed, Nick let out a sigh before turning to face his family members.
"Nick..." Aly began softly.
"Not now. Can we just go home? Please?"
He watched as the adults glanced at each other silently before Victor nodded.
"Of course. We'll get the twins and meet you there," Victor said.
Chapter Three
Nick pulled into the driveway of his and Roxanna's beach house, turned off the car and sat there. She was actually gone. He’d looked everywhere; around Miley’s street, the beach, the gardens and hiking trail behind their old high school. He even went to Tilden Regional Park even though he knew Roxanna had never actually been there. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as his teeth grinded together. He just couldn't find the strength to even attempt to enter the house without Roxanna with him. It just didn't feel right. A sigh escaped him as he saw the others pull up to the house. He took a couple of deep breaths before getting out the car. He started walking toward Victor's black Escalade but paused as Roxanna’s mom, Rosalinda, met him at the end of the sidewalk.
"We got the twins right now, Nick," Rosalinda began. "You..."
"But I..." Nick cut her off only to stop as he glanced up and met her gold eyes. Rosalinda watched as Nick closed his eyes tight briefly before slowly opening them back up. "I have to..."
"Nick, it's okay if you want to have some time to yourself to...wrap your head around what’s happened," Rosalinda said. "I mean, we'll understand. The twins are in good hands."
Nick nodded his head and gently bit into his bottom lip. "Thank you, Mrs. Rosa," he whispered softly.
She watched as he turned around and walked toward the front door. Nick unlocked the front door, entered the house, and closed the door, leaving it unlocked for the others outside. He walked upstairs to his and Roxanna’s room and went into the closet. His jacket fell to the floor followed by his tie, white shirt, pants, and shoes. He walked into the bedroom in his boxers, socks, and undershirt and climbed on top of the covers, the thick, red covering taking away some of the chills that never seemed to leave his body. His hand reached up to grab the locket that had hung around his neck since Roxanna gave it to him last year. He opened it up and stared at the small picture on the front. Roxanna's gold and hazel eyes gazed up at him, a smile on her face. A few tears slipped down his cheeks as he clenched the locket in his fists.
"Why did this happen?" He muttered angrily to himself. "Today was supposed to be a good day. It was supposed to be perfect." He glared hotly at the canopy bottom directly above him as his tears slowly turned to sobs. "Why did you let her get taken away from me?" he cried out.
Start the Sarmiento Sisters Series
African American Urban/Women’s Fiction
Inevitable by Kolene Taylor
Prologue
Eve walked down the street with her shopping bags in both hands. Her big white floppy hat sat cocked on the right side of her face dipping over her black Donna Karen sunglasses. Her sandy hair lay across her shoulders. Her navy jacket extended down to her knees and was set off by the matching skirt that didn’t dip much further.
Stopping to admire a red chiffon evening dress displayed in the window of one of the exclusive boutiques downtown, she checked her watch. She had time. She was meeting Lola and Teresa for lunch and she knew only Lola would be on time, Teresa was notorious for being late. Luckily, the restaurant where they were meeting was just up the street.
Strolling down the avenue looking at the newest designs, Eve knew she shouldn’t have walked from her office to the restaurant. Shopping was her weakness and she always gave in to temptation. Her impulsiveness got her in more trouble than debt and she promised she would make wiser decisions. Two pair of shoes later, she was now looking at this dress in the window. Staring longingly at the beautiful scarlet dress, she exercised her discipline and made the decision to walk past the entrance of the store.
“You know you would look too good in that dress.”
That unforgettable voice sent chills up and down her back causing Eve to stop in her tracks. She hadn’t heard that voice in two years and she couldn’t believe she was hearing it now. She took a moment and gathered herself before she responded.
“Well, I’m teaching myself to resist temptations, no matter how enticing they can be.”
She turned to face her past.
“Well, resisting is overrated,” he said, smiling that easy smile. “I say go for it.”
“Well, Elijah,” she said offering a sad smile. “I did that before and it didn’t quite work out like I wanted.” Damn I remember that smile.
“Ah, you remembered my name.” He answered with mock surprise. “Two years is a long time.” His smile broadened. “Well, can I tell you that you look better than ever?”
“I could never forget your name,” she said, taking off her glasses and revealing deep brown soulful eyes. “And I have more scars from you than even I will admit to and some that will never let me.” She whispered to address the latter comment.
He cocked his head questioning. And she took in Elijah’s handsome face. Damn, this man will forever be fine.
They stared in awkward silence.
Elijah finally spoke. “I’m still working here in the city although I do have another offer on the table. Some would say that it is an offer that I can’t refuse.”
That was such a random thing to say. I have never experienced him seemingly so uncomfortable, she thought. “You know those offers you can’t refuse sometimes are not what they promise.” She paused letting her words stand between them, and then she looked down at her watch again. “I have to go. I hope that all your endeavors work for your good.”
“I do too.” Elijah answered with a suggestive meaning.
Eve started adjusting the bags in her hands. “It was nice seeing you Elijah. Take care.”
Eve turned around and began to walk away. She didn’t hear him behind her so when he touched her chills skipped along her spine and somehow settled in her stomach. His touch had that everlasting affect. She turned and looked up into his eyes.
“Eve, I was thinking...”
Eve smiled removing his hand from her arm and placing her shades on her face. “No Elijah, don’t think. That is what got us here.”
What is really going on?
Chapter 1
Eve Newborn ran around her bedroom looking for her shoes. He would be there any minute and she wanted to be ready. Why was she nervous? While looking at her hair in the mirror, she grimaced. Don’t worry about it. You look fine. It’s not like you’re trying to impress him. It’s just ice cream. She ran her hand over her nutmeg-colored skin and through her tawny locks. Your skin is looking the bomb, girlfriend. She smiled at her image and pulled her hair back into a ponytail, slicking the fly away hairs with a little gel. Finally, she grabbed her shoes and headed toward the living room.
“You wearing that?” Her sister, April, held a pint of ice cream as she fired the question from the doorway of the bedroom. April was a younger version of her older sister except her hair was like coal and she had a much rounder face.
“Yeah. Why?” Eve asked looking down at her dress. It was loose fitting and comfortable. “I shouldn’t?”
April
shook her head. “You look fat.”
“Well, what am I going to wear?” Eve panicked. She went back into her closet.
April moved into the room and plopped down on the bed. She often stayed with Eve when she and her boyfriend were fighting. It was always the usual drama and Eve didn’t understand why April put up with it, but she didn’t push and she always made it understood that if her little sister needed her or a place to stay she was more than welcome.
However, Eve was always a bit self-conscious about her curvaceous figure and April’s commentary sent her into a tizzy. “He’ll be here.”
“Who?”
“Elijah Mann,” Eve said coming out of her closet with a hand full of clothes.
“Mann? Is he white?” April asked scooping ice cream into her mouth.
“No.”
“I guess it really doesn’t matter,” April shrugged. “It’s not like he is your man-or is he your man?”
“No April, he’s not my man,” Eve said rolling her eyes. “He’s the guy I told you about that came to town as a consultant, remember?”
“Oh yeah,” April said and put the empty container on the bedside table. She then began chipping fingernail polish off her red painted nailbeds. “So why are you two going out and is he married?”
“No,” Eve said watching her sister flick the ruby colored shavings on to her comforter and area rug. “No,” she restated, distracted by her sister’s actions. “He’s not married.”
“And he’s in town because?” Her sister inquired again, now brushing the red flakes off her blouse onto the floor.
“He’s in town on business and it doesn’t matter because… are you going to pick that shit up before you leave?” Eve asked perturbed by her sister’s audacity.
April ignored the question and continued her interrogation. “What kind of business?”
Breathless 4: Loving Montie Page 17
