by Stacy-Deanne
Jesse scooted over.
“You ain’t going to prison.” Jamie Lee put her arm around her shoulders. “We’ll think a way out this mess. Who are the cops looking at?”
“Me.” Jesse counted on her fingers. “Rose, and Sebastian Hayek.”
“Sebastian Hayek?” Jamie Lee grimaced. “One of Leandro’s twin boys? I dated Leandro for two months, remember? We hooked up right before I left town.”
“That’s right.” Jesse snapped her fingers. “I forgot about that.”
Jamie Lee took her arm from Jesse’s shoulders. “I liked him, but I couldn’t be around him with the shit he was in.”
“What are you talking about?”
Jamie Lee nudged her. “You know he’s into them drugs, girl.”
“You mean he does them?”
“No, he deals them. He always has.”
“What?”
“I admit I knew he was into that shit when we hooked up.” Jamie Lee grinned, scooting back. “Why would the cops think Sebastian might’ve killed Donovan?”
“He always had a thing for Rose. Sebastian’s a good kid, but he hated Donovan even more than I did. I wouldn’t be surprised if he did it but he doesn’t have a gun so…”
“Yeah, but his daddy does.”
“What?” Jesse stared at her. “What kind of gun does Leandro have?”
“A thirty-eight.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Wait a minute. Calm down, Jesse.” Alexis pushed away from her desk. “I can’t understand what you’re saying.”
“It’s Sebastian!” she yelled into the phone. “I think Sebastian killed Donovan.”
Alexis looked at Penelope who leaned forward in her chair.
“I found out his father, Leandro, has a thirty-eight.”
“How do you know this?” Alexis asked.
“Someone told me.” Jesse breathed into the phone. “Sebastian might’ve killed Donovan and my baby girl is in trouble. Please check on Rose and make sure she’s safe.”
“Jesse—”
“Please!”
“Okay,” Alexis said. “We will.”
* * * *
“Whoa!” Rose held on to the passenger door while Sebastian sped through the street. “Sebastian!”
“Woo! Wee!” He made a sharp left.
“Sebastian!” She bumped into the door. “Slow down!”
“What?” He laughed. “I’m just having fun.” He hit her leg. “Like we used to.”
“We never used to act crazy like this.”
He sped through a red light.
She slapped his arm. “You’re gonna kill us!”
“Oh come on, Rose.” He sped up. “Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“This is dangerous, not adventurous.” She clung to the door tighter. “Let me out!”
“Okay…okay.” He slowed down. “I’m trying to lighten the mood.”
She patted her pounding chest. “Driving like a moron isn’t lightening the mood.”
“I can’t help it.” He bounced in the seat. “I feel so free with you, like I can do anything. That’s the power you give me, Rose.”
She huffed and puffed. “Power?”
“Kinda like a drug.” He winked. “You make me high.”
She stared at him. “Don’t you think that’s weird to say?”
His face contorted into a peculiar expression. “No, it’s honest.” He made a left onto the sandy road. “You’ve always made me feel this way. That’s why I love being around you.”
“Where are we going?”
He smirked.
“Sebastian?” She turned toward him. “Are we going to the beach?”
He smiled wider.
She held on to the door. “I…I don’t wanna go to the beach.”
“Well, you’re going.”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re going to the beach.” He looked at her. “Once we get there, everything will become clear for us.”
“S…Sebastian.” She trembled. “I want you to take me back home now. I’ve had enough excitement for one day.”
“Are you scared?” He rubbed the thigh of her jeans. “I’m gonna protect you like I did the last time.”
“What?”
Her phone beeped.
She got it out her pocket and saw the text.
SEBASTIAN: Try’na catch up wit’ u. U all right?
Rose’s stomach turned. She stared at the man next to her.
Holy shit.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Rose shook her head. “No, I…”
Another text popped up.
SEBASTIAN: I’m worried ‘bout u. Please answer. Been to ur place. U were gone.
She gulped and typed back.
@Beach. Call the police!!!
Another text came through.
SEBASTIAN: What is wrong? You ok?
They arrived at the beach.
She typed with her thumb.
PLS! Call police now! @beach! Hurry!
Samuel stopped the car. “We’re here.” He laid his arm on the steering wheel.
Rose put her phone in her pocket as another text came through.
Samuel unhooked his seatbelt and turned toward her. “You’re so beautiful.” He touched her hair.
God help me.
“Sebastian?”
“Hmm?” He sniffed her hair. “What?”
“Why are we here?” She tried to subdue her anxiety but the beach reminded her of that horrible night. “I don’t want to be here.” She covered her eyes.
“Oh.” He rubbed the back of her head. “Don’t cry.” He kissed her cheek. “You don’t have to be afraid, Rose. It’s you and me now.”
“I don’t understand why you’d bring me here.” She sniffled. “You know I don’t wanna be here.”
“I had to prove a point.” He got out of the car.
Her phone beeped again.
Shit. Just call the police, Sebastian. Please.
Samuel walked around and opened her door. “Come on.” He reached for her.
“Please. I can’t be here.” She held up her hand. “See how scared I am? I can’t do this.”
“You can.” He pulled her out of the car. “You have to.”
“Why?” She held on to him. “Why?” she yelled.
“Because this is a turning point for our relationship.” He forced her down shore.
“No.” She closed her eyes as they approached the spot where Donovan was murdered.
“Sebastian, please.”
He pointed to the calm ocean. “It smells so fresh out here, doesn’t it?” He put his finger under her chin. “I love you, Rose. I always have.”
She squirmed from his touch. “I gotta see my mom, remember?”
He checked his watch. “It’s only two-seventeen. We have plenty of time.” He put his arms around her waist. “I can finally tell you how I feel. Something about the beach gives me such strength and confidence.”
She laid her quivering hand on his chest. “Can I ask you something?”
He gazed at her with an eerie smile. “You can ask me anything.”
“Did you kill Donovan?”
His stare turned dark.
“You love me, right?” She tugged at his T-shirt.
“Rose.” He gripped her tighter. “I can’t put in words how I feel about you. You’re a part of me. We’re a part of each other. I had to bring you here to show you that.” He chuckled. “You understand don’t you, Rose?”
“Yes.”
Her phone beeped.
“Maybe you should turn your phone off so we can have privacy.”
“If we’re gonna be together you have to be honest with me.” She stroked his cheek to keep his attention on her. “I need you to tell me the truth. Did you kill Donovan?”
“Rose.”
“It won’t matter to me. I love you, Sebastian.”
“I know.” He pressed his lips to hers. “I thought I had to show you how much I care.”
“I know it might sound bad.” He rubbed his head. “Scaring you was the only way to…to have you. You needed my protection so you’d see I’m the only man that could give you that.”
“Are you talking about the calls?” Her legs almost gave out from the crippling anxiety.
He attempted to speak but nodded instead.
“You’ve been calling me?” Her voice cracked. “It was you the whole time?”
A tear graced his cheek. “I didn’t wanna scare you.” He wiped his eye. “But it was the only way I thought you’d notice me. I’ve been around all this time and I love you more than anyone, so I needed to get you to notice me.”
Chapter Eighteen
“I have noticed you, Sebastian. I’ve always noticed you.”
“You still don’t get it.” He huffed and puffed. “I want you to look at me, Rose.” He punched his chest. “Look at me and see me.”
She moved her face closer to his. “I see you, Samuel.”
He looked at her with an unnerving expression. “You said my name.”
“I know you love me, Samuel.” She gave him a shaky kiss. “I’m sorry if I took so long to see it.”
“There was always someone in the way.” His face turned red. “It was Sebastian and then it was Donovan. You don’t know how hard I had to fight not to kill Sebastian.”
A chill penetrated her down to the bone.
“I love him but I love you more,” he whispered. “I won’t let any man take you away from me. Donovan saw that. You see that, too.”
“Yes.”
“I followed you on your date with Donovan. I was gonna kill him before he picked you up, but it wasn’t the right time.” He looked down. “I followed you guys out here and I was even having second thoughts about doing it until he tried to rape you.” He grimaced. “I couldn’t believe he’d do something like that. Who could be that sick?”
She stared at him.
“Something went off inside of me. I couldn’t stand someone hurting you, so I shot him.” He smirked. “It felt good to hurt him in a way no one ever had.” He went to kiss her.
“Don’t touch me!” She punched him.
“Ah!” He fell in the sand.
“Someone help!” She ran toward the car.
“Rose!” He chased her. “Come back!”
“Leave me alone!” She got into the driver’s side of the car.
Samuel grabbed the door before she could close it. “You can’t go anywhere without the key!”
“Get away!” She swatted at him. “Leave me alone!”
He took out a gun. “Get out of the fuckin’ car!”
“No!”
“Get out!” He grabbed her leg. “Come here!”
“Let go!” She kicked him in the face.
“Ow!” He bent over, clutching his nose. “I didn’t want it to be like this, Rose.”
“Ah!” She slammed the door and locked it. “Get away from me!”
He held the gun to the window. “Open the door.”
“No.”
“Open the fuckin’ door!” He kicked the car.
“No!”
He shot the backdoor window.
“Ah!” Rose ducked as glass flew. “Samuel, please!”
“Open the door or it’s gonna be you.”
Sobbing, Rose unlocked the door.
“Come here.” Samuel snatched the door open and pulled her out by her blouse.
“Please!”
He threw her in the sand. “So this is how you act?” Sweat ran down his face. “After I saved you from Donovan…this is how you act?” he screamed.
She waved her arms. “Please just leave me alone!”
“We belong together and I’m gonna show you we do.” He dragged her back to where Donovan died.
“No!” She twisted and turned in the sand. “Samuel!”
“Shut the fuck up!” He tossed her in the sand. “You stay down there and don’t move.”
“Please.” She stared at the gun. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“I love you!” He bent over her, waving the gun. “What do I have to do to finally get what I want?”
“You can have what you want.” Sand drizzled from her clothes with each movement.
“You’re just a selfish bitch.” His eyes reddened. “I see now that no matter what I do for you, it won’t matter.”
“Samuel.” She got on her knees. “Listen, all right?”
“I saved you from being raped.” He lowered the gun and rocked. “And you hit me and ran?”
“No! I…” She coughed. “I was confused and…”
Her phone beeped.
“Give me that phone!” He reached for her.
“No!” She kicked at him.
He slung her around and snatched her phone from her pocket. “It’s Sebastian.” He read the text and looked at her. “You dirty little bitch.”
“Samuel.” She slid back. “Please—”
“You dirty bitch!” He threw the phone down. “You told him to call the fuckin’ police. You told him where we were!”
“Wait!” She held out her arms. “Please!”
“I’m not going to prison for you or anybody.” He leaped on top of her.
“Get off!”
He pressed his hand to her face and shoved her head in the sand. “I’ve wasted my time, my love, and my heart on you.” He pointed the gun to her chest. “I’m not doing it anymore!”
She grabbed his arm. “Please!” Tears blinded her. “Oh god, someone help me!”
He held her down. “I was the only one who would help you, Rose.” He moved the gun to her face. “I’m sick of being your fuckin’ puppet.”
“No!” She tried to pry his hand from the gun. “Please don’t do this, Samuel!” She writhed underneath him. “You love me!”
He stopped tussling and stared, wide-eyed.
“You love me, Samuel.” She put her sandy hand on his cheek. “You love me,” she whispered.
“Rose.” He lowered his arm. “I—”
“Rose!” Sebastian ran toward them. “Samuel, get the fuck off her!”
He moved off Rose.
Rose trembled in the sand.
“You son of a…” Sebastian leaped over Rose and landed on his brother.
Samuel’s gun flew out of his hand.
“You sick motherfucker!” Sebastian punched him. “How could you do this?” He shook Samuel. “How could you?”
“Sebastian!” Rose slid away from the men.
“Uh…get off!” Samuel knocked Sebastian into the sand and climbed on top of him. “You’re fuckin’ pathetic!” He punched Sebastian.
“No!” Rose stood. “Stop, Samuel!” She pulled on his shirt. “Leave him alone!”
Samuel shoved her off with one arm. “I’m sick of you.” He gripped his brother’s throat. “She doesn’t want me because of you.” He tightened his hands on Sebastian’s throat. “It’s all been because of you.”
“Stop!” Rose pounded on Samuel’s back. “Get off!”
Sebastian gurgled and choked while clawing at Samuel’s hands.
“Stop it!” Rose grabbed Samuel’s gun. “You’re gonna kill him!”
“It’s about time.” Samuel shook Sebastian by the neck. “It’s about damn time!”
“No!” Rose shot Samuel in the middle of his back.
“Ah!” He fell on Sebastian.
“Oh!” Rose dropped the gun.
“Uh…” Sebastian pushed Samuel off.
“Oh.” Rose dropped to her knees in tears.
Samuel lay with his arms out and his eyes staring at the sky.
“Is he?” Rose pointed.
Sebastian laid his head on Samuel’s chest and nodded.
“Sebastian.” Rose covered her mouth.
“Sh.” He crawled to her and hugged her. “It’s all over now.” He rocked her. “It’s all over.”
* * * *
Alexis relaxed
in the warm, soapy water that night and grabbed the glass of champagne beside Kevin’s tub.
The water rushed against her legs as Kevin’s tongue massaged the lips of her pussy.
“Yes.” Alexis wrapped her legs around his head, pressing her fingers into the glass. “Don’t stop.” She leaned back, her legs quaking from the momentous climax. “Ah. Ooh.”
He licked the inside of her thigh and stuck his head from the water. “Never had a pussy that tasted this good.” Suds slid down his face and sensual lips.
“Stop lying.” She laughed, wiggling her legs.
“I’m serious.” He sucked water off her knee.
“I came over here to talk.” She moved her feet through the suds. “How come we always end up like this?”
“Don’t ask me.” He wiped suds off his face. “Who dragged who to the tub?”
She sipped the tangy champagne. “I’m so glad this case is over.” She looked at the glass. “Still can’t believe how it turned out, but I’m glad it’s over.”
“I never thought timid little Rose Malone would ever kill someone.” Kevin sunk into the tub until the suds reached his shoulders. “If it hadn’t been for her, then her friend would be dead.”
“I can’t imagine how Sebastian feels right now. His twin was a nutcase and a killer.”
“Have I told you how amazing you are?” He kissed her soapy toes.
“Not today.” She set the glass down, grinning. “Leo called me today.”
He nibbled on her pinky toe. “And why did Leo call you?”
“He says if I ever need his help not to hesitate asking.”
He rolled his eyes, still nibbling.
“What?”
“Can’t you give this a rest for one night?”
“You think I like always having Grant on my mind?” She rubbed suds over her breasts. “Anyway what do you expect? Grant’s haunted me my entire life. That won’t change unless I stop him.”
Kevin splashed water on her. “You’re so damn stubborn.”
“I know.” She splashed water back on him. “But, you like that about me, right?”
He glided to her. “I like watching you come even more.” He kissed her.
Alexis’ cell rang.
“Jesus.” Kevin ripped his lips from hers. “Does your phone ever stop ringing?”
“Life of a cop.” She grabbed it and checked it. “Wow.”
“What?”
She showed him the screen.
