“You should take something for the pain,” said Thane. “You’re obviously in a lot of it.”
“Could you check the medicine cabinet?” I asked as I settled back against the pillows.
“Sure,” he replied, leaving the room.
“I’ll get you some water,” said Emma, skipping away.
Thane walked back in and looked around. “Where’d she go?”
“Emma? She went to get water.”
“So, I have you alone for a couple of minutes? In your bedroom and at my mercy?”
“You never stop, do you?”
He handed me two pills. “Not until you give in and succumb to charms.”
“Your charms, huh?”
He leaned closer and whispered into my ear. “Or my manhood. Whichever you prefer.”
I chuckled. “At least you’re consistent.”
“You mean persistent?”
“That too,” I replied, as Emma walked in with a glass of water.
“Thanks, honey,” I said, taking it from her.
She nodded. “I’m going over to Arlene’s to help make dinner.”
I looked at Thane.
“I’ll walk you over,” he told her.
“Okay,” she replied.
“Thanks,” I said to him.
“You’re welcome. Why don’t you close your eyes and try to get some rest?”
“I will.”
They left the room and soon I was fast asleep.
***
When I woke, I found Thane lying next to me on the bed, sleeping. He was facing me and snoring lightly. It almost felt normal.
Sighing, I stared at him, grateful for the way he’d been taking care of me and Emma. He was a good man in that sense. He was also a man that didn’t feel comfortable with commitment. After what he’d been through with Carrie, I almost couldn’t blame him.
As we lay there, I marveled at how long his lashes were and how boyish his face looked as he slept. I felt a sudden urge to touch the dark blonde shadow along his jaw, to feel the stubble under my fingertips. Then his eyes opened and we stared at each other silently.
“Hi,” he said, smiling.
“Hi.”
His eyes scanned my face. “You’re so damn beautiful, Sera. Even with all of the bruises.”
I didn’t reply. I certainly didn’t feel beautiful.
He lifted his finger and lightly touched the bridge of my nose. “Does it still hurt?”
“A little.”
He moved his finger to my cheek. “What about here?”
“A little.”
He moved his hand to my hair and smoothed it away from my face.
My eyes narrowed. “Why are you in my bed?”
He grinned. “I was hoping to wake up and find you molesting me.”
I laughed and then winced. “Thane…”
“I understand. You’re in a lot of pain. I’ll just stay here until you feel up to groping me. I can wait.”
I punched him playfully. “Quit trying to make me laugh.”
“Why?”
“It hurts.”
“I love it when you laugh.” His face turned serious. “Whenever it happens, your eyes light up and,” his eyes searched mine, “it’s like I’m looking into your soul. It’s unsettling and yet beautiful at the same time.”
I smiled.
“And then you do that,” he whispered, staring at my mouth. “You smile and I can feel it here.” He raised my hand and placed it over his heart. “Can you feel that?”
His heart was beating rapidly.
“Yes.”
He squeezed my fingers and then kissed them. “When I thought I’d never get to see you smile again, it tore me up inside. I was a complete wreck.”
My eyes filled with tears. Nobody had ever said anything like that to me before. “Really?”
He put my hand back over his heart. “Somehow your smile found its way here and when I thought that I’d lost you, it made me realize something.”
I waited, my own chest tight.
“It made me realize that I love you,” he whispered.
I sucked in my breath. “You… do?”
He nodded. “Yes, and I know that I’ve gone about everything all wrong with us. I just hope that maybe… we can start over. That, maybe one day you’ll even feel the same way about me.”
“Are you kidding?” I whispered, smiling through my tears. “Thane, I love you, too.”
“You do?”
I nodded.
With his golden eyes glimmering with tears, Thane leaned forward and kissed me.
Chapter Forty
Six weeks later
Fred
“How long will you be gone?” asked Arlene as I grabbed the fishing poles out of the shed.
“Just a few days,” I replied. “You know me. I can’t stay away too long from you, Arlene.”
She smiled. “I feel the same way. I love you, my husband.”
“I love you, too, my wife. Now, when I get back, we’re going to take that trip to Alaska. The cruise. Thane and Sera are bringing Emma, too. We should have a grand old time.”
“I can’t wait,” she said following me to the SUV. It was early morning and the only thing out besides us, were the crickets.
I shut the trunk. “Well, I guess that’s everything.”
“I’m going to miss you,” she said, giving me a peck on the lips.
Grunting, I pulled her into my arms and showed her how a husband kisses his wife. When I released her, she was glowing.
“Fred… you frisky devil,” she said, still smiling.
“You better believe it. Hold that thought until I get back, Arlene,” I said, getting into the truck.
“Drive safely,” she said.
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
As I drove away, I sighed. I hated lying to Arlene, but I didn’t want her or anyone else involved in what I was about to do and I certainly didn’t need anyone to talk me out of it.
***
The ride to Amery took longer than I expected, but it gave me a lot of time to go over my plans on how I was going to execute Ray. It turned out much easier than I could have possibly imagined.
It was a Thursday morning when I knocked on his door. Just after nine –o’clock. When he answered, he was wearing his robe, his hair was disheveled and he looked extremely pissed.
“Didn’t you see the sign on my door,” he snapped. “No soliciting.”
“I’m not trying to sell you anything,” I replied, trying to remain poised. “I’m actually here to present you with a check.”
His eyes widened. “What check?”
“It’s for a contest that Mrs. Daniels entered last year.”
“Rachel?” he asked, looking doubtful.
I’d learned that Ray had gotten re-married. I’d also learned that the cops had already made a few visits for domestic disturbances. Some things never changed.
“Yes,” I pretended to look at a list of names on my clipboard. “She entered The American Clearinghouse Contest, and is one of ten people who are to be awarded a check for one-thousand dollars.” I smiled innocently. “Is she home?”
“Nope, she isn’t here right now,” said Ray, looking a lot less ornery.
“That’s okay. She entered your name in the contest, too. You can sign for it. I take it you are Mr. Daniels?”
He grinned. “I sure am.”
“I just need to see your identification and then, the check is all yours,” I replied, shaking my envelope.
“That’s great. Come on in and I’ll get my driver’s license.”
I followed him into the house.
“Boy, this couldn’t have come at a better time,” he said, turning back to me.
“Is that right?”
“Yes. I’ve been out of work for a while, and Rachel, well, she doesn’t make much either.”
“You have any children?” I asked.
Ray’s face darkened. �
��I do. From a different marriage. I’m trying to get her back, though. My Ex is a real piece of work.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yes, but I don’t want to bore you about all of that. Here,” he said, handing me his license.
I looked down at it and smiled. “Ray Daniels. Good.”
He grinned. “You want a drink? I think that this calls for one.”
“No, I’m fine,” I replied, opening up the envelope. “Tell me something.”
“Whatever you want to know,” he said, walking over to the small bar in the corner of the room. “You deserve it for bringing me that check.”
I stepped closer to him and pulled out the gun. “What kind of a man beats a woman over-and-over without any remorse?”
“Excuse me?” he said, turning around.
I pointed my pistol at his forehead. “Or shoots a woman in the back for trying to protect her daughter?”
He scowled. “You’d better put that gun down, old man.”
I smiled. “You’re pretty brazen for someone who has a gun pointed at his head.”
“You’ve got it all wrong. I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Is that right?”
His eyes narrowed. “I recognize you. You’re that guy’s brother. Sam.”
I blinked back tears. “I was his brother. Until you killed him.”
Something flashed in his eyes and I knew without a doubt, that he felt a certain amount of satisfaction, knowing that I was still grief-stricken. He was a sick bastard.
“You kill me and you’ll spend the rest of your life in prison,” said Ray.
“See, that’s where you’re wrong. I have an alibi. Just like you had. Amazing how those things work, isn’t it?”
His lips pulled back and he launched at me. Before he could close the distance between us, my gun went off.
****
“How was your trip?” asked Arlene, two days later. We were in the kitchen and she’d just sliced a piece of apple pie for me.
“The fish weren’t biting much,” I answered. “Mike and I spent most of the nights playing poker and drinking.”
She shook her head and smiled humorlessly. “That figures. You men. You get together and when us women aren’t around, you just can’t behave yourselves, can you?”
I chuckled. “I’m not going to lie. I was a bad boy the last few days, Arlene, but it needed to be done.”
“I hope you got it out of your system.”
“Believe me, I did.”
She patted my hand. “Good.”
Chapter Forty-One
Sera
Thane stayed with us during the next several weeks and we agreed to keep our relationship a secret. At least until we figured out what to do about Ray.
It wasn’t easy and I had a feeling that most of the girls at the salon knew there was something going on and were even gossiping about it. That is until Tiffany started dating a celebrity and the focus shifted to them. She wasn’t the only one with big news, however. Sinclair was getting married and had also found out that she was pregnant.
“Congratulations,” I said, when she told me while we were standing behind the counter at the front of the salon. “You and Reed must be ecstatic.”
“Actually, I’m so nervous,” she said, staring down at her belly, which was still fairly flat. “And always sick. I don’t know if it’s my nerves or the fact that I’m pregnant.”
“It’s probably both.”
Just then, Sinclair’s friend Jesse, stormed into the front entrance, scowling. He stopped in front of us and folded his arms across his chest. “I can’t believe you haven’t told your best friend in the entire world, that you are pregnant. What the hell, Sin?”
She sighed. “I wanted to tell you in person. Tonight.”
“Well, it’s too late because Reed already told me. I’m hurt that you told him before me,” he pouted.
“If you were the father of this baby, I would have,” she answered, smirking.
He shuddered. “I don’t know what sounds more revolting, being a father or the act of becoming one.”
Sinclair and I both laughed.
Tiffany walked up to the front of the salon. “You have a phone call, Sinclair.”
“I do?”
She frowned. “Yeah, he called the phone in the break-room.”
Her face paled. “Is it Michael?”
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
“Somebody take a message. Please,” begged Sinclair. “I’m not talking to that freak. Is Thane in his office?”
“I think so. Who is Michael?” I asked.
“That crazy pile of shit that had kidnapped Sinclair last year. He’s stalking her again,” replied Jesse. He pulled out his cell phone. “I’m calling Reed. Something has got to be done. She shouldn’t have to deal with this. Especially being pregnant.”
I frowned. “Didn’t that guy die?”
“Apparently, not,” said Jesse, holding the phone to his ear. “Reed? Michael is terrorizing Sinclair again. Do they know where the fucker is yet?”
Reed said something and then Jesse put him on speakerphone. “You’re live. Could you repeat that?”
“For Christ’s sake, Jesse, the entire world doesn’t need to know our business,” snapped Reed.
“It’s just a couple of girls at the salon.”
“Hi, Reed,” said Tiffany.
Reed’s voice lightened. “Oh, hey Tiffany. Where is Sinclair?”
“She’s in the back. Uh, Sera, did you want to take a message? The guy gives me the willies. He’s a killer, you know.”
“Something I’m familiar with,” I muttered, picking up the phone. I pushed the button for the phone-line in back. “I’m sorry, who were you holding for?”
“Sinclair,” said a voice evenly.
Everyone’s eyes were on me. “She’s with a customer at the moment. Can I tell her who’s calling?”
“What is your name?” he asked, ignoring the question. His voice sounded almost light and whimsical.
I blinked. “Me?”
He laughed. “Yes. I don’t recognize your voice. It’s quite charming.”
“My name is… Mary,” I lied.
“Mary,” he said, rolling it off of his tongue.
“Yes.”
“What is your position at the salon, Mary? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of you.”
“I’m a nail technician,” I blurted out, without thinking.
Jesse shook his head and mouthed the words. “Don’t tell him”.
I gave him a helpless look. Too late now.
“Well, listen Mary, tell Sinclair that I’ll be in town tomorrow.”
“And who are you?” I asked.
He chuckled. “I think you already know the answer to that, Mary,” he said before hanging up.
I hung up the phone. “Okay, that guy really makes my skin crawl.”
“Was it Michael?” asked Reed, still on speakerphone.
“Yes, I’m pretty sure it was. He wouldn’t tell me, but I have a feeling that’s who it was.”
He swore.
I continued. “He mentioned that he’d be in town tomorrow.”
“We need to catch that freak, Reed,” said Jesse, getting excited. “Before he gives Sinclair a miscarriage.”
“I know. Look, I’m calling Benny. See if he can find someone to help us out here,” said Reed. “Something tells me this guy is gutsy enough to approach Sinclair, again. He’s so obsessed with her.”
“Why don’t you just call the police in this area?” asked Tiffany.
“They won’t do anything,” said Jesse.
“I know someone who has connections,” said Thane, walking around the partition with Sinclair. He looked at me. “Actually, we both do.”
“Who?” I asked.
He smiled. “Fred.”
“That’s right. He knows someone in the FBI,” I said.
“Do you have his number?” asked Reed.
“I’ll call him,” s
aid Thane. “He’s retired and might not appreciate getting a phone call from someone he doesn’t know.”
“Thank you, Reed,” said Sinclair. “This guy frightens me to death.”
He put his arm around her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Fred’s a good guy and I’m pretty sure when he finds out how this guy has harassed you, you won’t be hearing from him again.”
“We could only wish. But, this guy is crafty,” said Reed.
“He’s right,” said Sinclair. “He’s even faked his own death.”
“That, along with the disguises, has made it next to impossible for us to locate him,” said Reed.
“Believe me… Fred will find him,” said Thane, looking at me. “With the help of a friend.”
***
Later, when Thane and I were alone in his office, he told me the news about Ray.
“He’s really dead?” I asked, stunned. I sat down in the chair. “What happened?”
“He was shot in the head about a week ago. It was on CNN earlier.”
An image of Fred holding a gun to Ray’s forehead popped into my brain and I gasped. “Oh my God.”
“What?”
I looked at him. “You already know about it.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know that Fred killed Ray.”
He sighed. “I had my suspicions. Supposedly he told Arlene that he went fishing with my dad last week, but I knew that was a lie. My father was home the entire time.”
“I can’t believe he did that,” I said. “Just shot him like that.”
Thane sighed. “I know. He shouldn’t have taken the law into his own hands. But, on the other hand, at least you don’t have to worry about Ray anymore. Which, reminds me… this Michael character... Do you think that you could find him?”
“I don’t know,” I replied.
“Could you try?”
I put my head in my hand. “I don’t think it will work, Thane.”
“What do you have to lose?” he asked, kneeling next to me. “
“Nothing, but I just don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.”
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