Chapter Twenty-seven
Sinclair
“You have visitors,” said the nurse, an older woman with kind blue eyes and salt and pepper hair.
I cleared my throat. “My parents?” I knew they were supposed to arriving within the hour.
“No, your fiancé and his brother,” she said.
I raised my eyebrows. My fiancé?
“Okay,” I said, sitting up straighter in the bed, realizing who it had to be.
A few moments later, Jesse breezed through the door with Reed following close behind, each carrying a bouquet of flowers.
“Oh, my God, Sin,” said Jesse. “Are you okay?” he asked, grabbing my hand. “I was so freakin’ worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” I answered softly. “Now, that is.”
Reed moved closer to my bed and his face darkened. “Did he do that to your face?” he asked with at tight jaw.
I touched my chin, which was still very sore. “Yes,” I said. “But I’m sure that I hurt him much worse.”
“Good,” said Reed, relaxing slightly.
“So, what happened?” asked Jesse.
I told them everything, including the fact that I’d cut the psycho man’s hair a few times and his obsession with me.
“Did they catch him?” asked Jesse, chewing on his lower lip.
I shook my head. “No, unfortunately he escaped and they’re still looking for him.”
“You’re kidding,” gasped Jesse. “He’s still at large?”
I nodded. “Apparently. They traced him back to the cabin where he’d held me, but I guess it’s not even his place. He must have broken in.”
“What about fingerprints?” asked Reed.
“I’m sure they’ll get some,” I said. “So, at least there’s that.”
“We were so worried about you,” said Jesse, touching my hair with tenderness. “Not knowing what had happened.”
“It was pretty scary,” I said.
“Jesse,” said Reed. “Could I have a minute alone with Sinclair?”
Jesse stood up. “I don’t know, can I trust you?” he joked.
“You can but she might not be able to,” said Reed.
I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. The fact that I’d almost interrupted him and Sela having sex in the library still angered me. I didn’t even want to hear his excuses.
“I don’t know, seeing how Sin escaped one crazy bastard, I think you’re the one who should be careful,” smiled Jesse, as he stood up and walked towards the door.
“I hear you,” said Reed, sitting down next to me.
The intensity of his gaze was disarming and I knew I had to get rid of him. I just didn’t have the strength to deal with his lies at the moment.
“Reed,” I said after Jesse had left. “Look, I’m really tired and would just like to rest if you don’t mind.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you kicking me out?”
I licked my lips. “Well, I’m grateful that you stopped by to check on me, but I’d just like to be alone for a while, until my parents show up. You know?”
He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “I understand. I’m sorry, I just wanted to –”
“Please,” I interrupted. “We can talk later, okay?”
He nodded and stood up. “Okay. How long are you going to be in the hospital?” he asked.
“They’re keeping me overnight and then my parents are going to take me home tomorrow morning.”
“I could drive you.”
I shook my head. “No, thanks.”
He frowned. “Can I at least call you?”
“Um, sure. Jesse has my number.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do I have this feeling that you’re brushing me off?”
Because I am?
“That’s ridiculous,” I lied. “I’m just exhausted and after everything that’s happened…”
“Okay, sure, I understand. Well, I’ll definitely be calling you, if that’s okay?”
“Sure,” I said, wondering how Sela would feel about that. Obviously he wouldn’t tell her.
He bent down and brought his face next to mine. “I’m sorry that this happened to you,” he said, his voice low. “If you need anything –”
“I’m fine,” I answered.
“Anything,” he continued with a stern voice. “You call me. You still have my card?”
I nodded. “I’m sure it’s with my things back at your parents’ home.”
“Actually, Jesse brought your overnight bag, it’s in the trunk.”
“Okay.”
His eyes softened and he leaned forward as if to kiss me, but I pulled away. “Please, my entire face aches.”
Reed’s eyes burned into mine before he raised his lips and kissed the top of my head. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “I will call you.”
Right. Only when his fiancée was out of town and he wanted a piece of ass.
“Okay,” I said.
***
Reed
I wasn’t sure what was going through Sinclair’s mind after everything she’d been through, but I could definitely tell she was distancing herself from me. I wasn’t going to press her about it, however.
Not yet.
I went back out into the parking lot, grabbed her overnight bag, and brought it back to the room as Jesse was saying his goodbyes.
“I’ll call you,” I said, trying to control the rage I felt inside from seeing her beautiful face so bruised and swollen. I wanted to find that bastard myself and fuck him up.
Bad.
Make him pay for what he’d done to Sinclair.
“Okay,” replied Sinclair, not quite meeting my eyes.
Sighing, I took one final look at her before I left the room. She looked so small and vulnerable in the hospital bed and I wanted nothing more than to stay and protect her. The fact that she was pushing me away was aggravating. but I certainly couldn’t be angry with her. She’d been through hell the last few hours.
“Keep your chin up,” I said. “And call me if you need to talk.”
She nodded, although it looked as if she’d already given up on having anything further to do with me. Little did she know that I didn’t give up that easily.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Sinclair
When my parents arrived at the hospital, they were obviously upset and I had to keep reassuring them that I was fine.
“You’re coming to stay with us until they catch this person,” said my mother, her eyes brimming with tears. “Promise me, Sinclair.”
“Mom,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’m not going to let this man scare me, okay? I have a job and a life. I can’t let him take that from me.”
“Then we’ll hire a bodyguard for you,” said my father, clasping his hands in front of his round belly.
I stared at him and smiled, so happy to see them, again, even under such crazy circumstances. My parents were in their sixties and remind me of what Santa and Mrs. Claus would look like if they’d retired in Stanton – both short, round and tan with laugh lines, pug noses, and puffy white hair. My dad even had a little white beard and smokes a pipe now and again.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
He frowned. “Well, the police should assign one for you. That’s why we pay our taxes, isn’t it?”
“The detective I spoke with earlier said they’d probably do that,” I said. “Especially now that’s he’s killed two people. They’re going to send someone to talk to me again, tomorrow before we leave the hospital.”
My mother gasped. “Are they worried he’ll come looking for you?”
I sighed. “Well, they think he’s probably taken off, fled the city, but they don’t know for certain.”
My dad nodded. “They’d better get someone for you because I don’t want you going anywhere unescorted.”
“Dad…” I said.
“No, I’m serious. If I have to follow you around everywhere myself, I will,” he sa
id.
Just then, a nurse knocked on the door and stepped inside. “The detective from earlier is back to see you,” she said.
“Good, send him in,” said my dad. “I want to talk to him about security, find out what they plan to do.”
I sighed. “Dad…”
“Dad nothing,” he said, bending down to pat my hand. “You’re my little jewel and I’m not going to let anyone threaten you again. Not if I can help it.”
My awesome dad had called me that since I was a baby. His little jewel. I smiled up at him.
The bald detective from earlier stepped into the room, his face much less grim than earlier. He held out his hand to my parents and introduced himself.
“Have you heard anything about this monster?” asked my dad. “Have you people found him, yet?”
The officer smiled. “Actually, that’s why I stopped back here myself, to tell you the good news.”
“Good news?” I asked, sitting up straighter.
He nodded. “Well, it appears that your attacker was killed in an automobile fire a couple of hours ago.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, shocked.
He pulled out a small pad of paper. “Yes, there was an accident involving a semi and a sedan that we believe the perp was driving at the time. The car flipped over the side of a ravine and then started on fire.”
“And you think it’s him?” asked my father.
“Well, the man was burned pretty badly but we found some forged IDs he’d hidden in a small safe in the trunk which, fortunately for us, survived the fire. One of the IDs was for a ‘Michael Richie’.”
“Oh, my God, it had to be him,” I said.
“Well, we believe it is. We’re still investigating the scene and do not really know his true identity yet, but I thought you should know,” said the detective.
“Tell us, detective, do you think it was really him?” asked my dad.
He nodded. “Personally, yeah I do. There was also a shitload of money and a prescription for Clozapine in the safe.”
“What’s Clozapine?” I asked.
“It’s used to treat Schizophrenia,” he said.
Now that made sense.
“He’s really dead…” I murmured, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from my chest. I could suddenly breathe again.
“As far as I’m concerned,” replied the detective. “Your nightmare is over.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
One Month Later
Sinclair
“Well, what do you think?” I asked Jesse as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. We were at the salon and I’d darkened his hair, this time with chocolate and caramel lowlights that really flattered his new windswept style.
He smiled. “Have to hand it to you, Sin, you know how to bring perfection up another notch. It looks magnifico,” he said, kissing the tips of his fingers.
I laughed and removed the plastic cape from his shoulders. “I’m sure Daniel is going to love it.”
Daniel was his new Asian boyfriend. He was also gorgeous, young, and full of energy. They’d met three weeks ago at a club and were almost inseparable. Fortunately, we’d gotten to know each other a lot better the day before when I’d given him a trim. He was totally digging Jesse and the feeling seemed to be mutual.
“Oh, I know he will,” he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “We’re flying to Vegas tonight. I told you, right?”
“Only about ten times,” I said. “You two have fun and make sure to behave yourselves.”
He snorted. “Vegas is no place to behave, sweetheart. I plan on being as naughty and obnoxious as I can. Wanna join us?”
“Although I’d love to tag along and witness your mischief, I’m going to decline. Thanks, anyway.”
He put a hand on my shoulder and shook it playfully. “You really need to get out more, you know that, don’t you?”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I like my solitude.”
He sighed. “So, I wasn’t going to bring this up, but Reed says you still haven’t been returning his calls”
“I told you why,” I said, bending over to clean up the hair on the ground.
“You know he isn’t with Sela, anymore.”
“Yeah, but he’s still a player and I’m not interested in dating that kind of guy.”
Jesse smiled, wickedly. “You could just use him for sex.”
“No way,” I said. Although I couldn’t say the thought hadn’t entered my mind. Not after the way he’d affected me. I wasn’t interested in getting my heart broken, however. A man like that would be too easy to fall for.
Jesse followed me up to the register where Felicia was ringing her last customer of the day.
“Hey, girl,” said Jesse. “You’re looking fabulous. Hot date tonight?”
Felicia had recently cut and bleached her hair super short, which flattered her large brown eyes and high cheekbones. Today, she was also wearing a purple form-fitting dress that emphasized her voluptuous body in a most sinful way.
“Football player,” she smiled, proudly. “Grayson Parker Fields.”
“No way!” gasped Jesse. “That man is so fine, he even gets me interested in football.”
She laughed boisterously. “I hear that.”
“You’d better watch out in that dress,” said Jesse. “That ‘Tall Drink of Water’ is going to be throwing some passes tonight.”
She put a hand on her hip. “Tell you the truth, it’s only our second date but I’m hopin’ he goes for a touchdown. He’s was in field goal range last week and I had to block his punt, but baby, tonight I’m leaving the defense on the sidelines.”
Jesse and I both laughed, although I had to admit, all of this talk was beginning to make my end-zone a little tingly, which made my thoughts drift back to Reed. Although he was a scoundrel, he sure knew his way around a woman’s field.
“Listen, I’ve got to go,” said Jesse. “You two women have great weekends,” he kissed me on the cheek. “And you, dear friend, try to get out and have some fun. Quit holing yourself up in that damn apartment. Especially with that grouchy old cat of yours.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said.
“See you around, Jesse,” said Felicia as the door opened and our new owner stepped inside of the salon.
“Hi, Thane,” said Jesse, raking over him with his eyes. “Love your shirt.”
It was just a simple black polo shirt with the salon logo on it, but even I had to admit, on Thane’s firm, muscular body, it looked anything but simple.
“Hey, guys,” said Thane, flashing a rare smile. “Wow, who’s the lucky man you’re going to knock the sox off of tonight, Felicia?”
She smiled. “I told you about Grayson,” she said. “We have another date.”
“That’s right,” he said, walking past us. “Well, have fun, but remember we open early tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
“How can I forget?” she said dryly. “I have to cut ‘Old Man Henry’ again in the morning.”
I snorted. “He’s back?”
“Yeah, you want him?” she asked. “He asked for me but you can have the perv if you’d like. He leaves big tips.”
“Yeah, and slobber marks. No way, sorry.”
“So, are you sure Thane is into women?” asked Jesse, still admiring him from afar.
Even I had to admit he was pretty cute. With his shoulder-length blond hair, chiseled face, and golden eyes, he reminded me of a lion, although, I still preferred the dark panther look of Reed, with his darker hair and icy blue eyes. It was too bad his den wasn’t exclusive to just one woman.
“Oh, Thane is definitely not gay,” said Felicia. “He’s temperamental, egotistical, and wears steel-toed mountain boots. Plus, have you seen the way he watches Sera?”
I raised my eyebrows. “Sera, really?”
Sera, was our new nail technician. She was soft-spoken, skittish, and reminded me of a librarian with her constant severely knotted bun and thick glasses. She defin
itely had the potential to be drop-dead gorgeous, though, if she cared enough to go that route.
“Oh, yeah,” said Felicia. “He definitely has a thing for that girl. Problem is, I don’t think she realizes it. Sera quivers in fear every time he approaches her.”
Maybe it wasn’t fear that made her quiver, I thought, appreciating his firm buns when he bent down to pick something up off the floor.
“Too bad,” sighed Jesse. “He is freakin’ hawt.”
“Hey, you’re taken now, anyway,” I scolded.
Jesse held up his hand. “Girl, do you see a ring on this finger?”
I shook my head. “You’re exasperating.”
“But you still love me,” he laughed, walking towards the door.
“You know it. Have a great weekend.”
“You too,” he hollered, walking out.
***
Reed
“Where to?” asked the driver, as I stepped away from the airport and into the dry cab.
I gave him the address and unbuttoned my tie. It was just after nine o’clock in the evening and it was raining cats and dogs. My suit was damp and my stomach growled, but it was nothing compared to the hunger I needed to sate this night.
“First time out here?” asked the cabbie.
I stared out the window. “No,” I said, not wanting to make conversation. Fortunately he picked up on that, because he didn’t say anything for the rest of the trip. When we finally reached our destination, I gave him a healthy tip and stepped out of the cab, staring up at the worn building. The lime stucco-finished apartment building was old and, had probably seen much better days. Fortunately, the neighborhood wasn’t too bad and the entrance was secured.
At least I’d thought.
“Did you need to get in?” asked a young woman, holding the door open for me. She was on her way out but from the appraisal in her eyes, she was thinking about following me back inside.
“Thanks,” I said, surprised that she’d let a total stranger into the building. “Appreciate it.”
“Certainly,” she answered, her eyes staring into mine with a definite invitation. “So, you new here?”
Fearing The Biker Page 33
