Possessed

by Stacy-Deanne

  Unknown number

  She crept out of bed, careful not to wake Winston and snuck into the hallway. “Hello?” she whispered.

  “Hello, Deidra.”

  It can’t be.

  She smashed her hand over her mouth to stifle her scream. “Who is this?”

  “Deidra, it’s me.” The person snickered. “Jonathan.”

  “You sick fuck.” She moved toward the linen closet. “Jonathan’s dead. Is this your idea of a joke?”

  “Hold on.”

  A sound alerted her of a video call.

  Dee pushed the button and Jonathan’s face came on the screen. “Ooh!” She covered her mouth to catch the scream.

  He had on black exercise pants with no shirt. “It’s about four a.m. here in Wales.” He stretched his athletic arms. “We’re five hours ahead of you.”

  “This isn’t happening.”

  “You see me, right?” He pushed his face into the camera. “What more proof do you need?”

  “God, stop this.”

  “You look beautiful in your nightgown. That pink is radiant on your skin.”

  “You faked your death just to get me back?”

  “We can discuss the details once you’re here in Wales.”

  She touched the top of her head. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “I have your sister and if you want her to stay alive, you’ll get on a plane.”

  “Oh my god.” Her heart jumped, knees shuddering. “What?”

  “I’m telling the truth.” He grabbed a phone off the dresser and held it to the screen. “This is Lydia’s phone.” He scrolled through Lydia’s gallery of pictures of her and Dee.

  “Oh.” Dee slammed her eyes shut, sobbing. “You bastard. Let me see her.”

  “Can’t at the moment.” He gave a crooked smile. “Had to sedate her because she got a bit too hard to handle.”

  “Lay a hand on her and I’ll kill you.”

  “I wouldn’t hurt her.” He smacked his lips, rolling his eyes. “Why does everyone think that? I want to make her happy like I wanna make you.”

  “Jonathan, please.” She leaned against the wall, shaking her head. “I’ll do anything you want.”

  “Glad to hear it. If you want Lydia back, bring me what I want. If you don’t, whatever happens to her is on your head.”

  Dee sniffled, struggling to appear strong.

  “My private jet will bring you to Red Marrow, Wales. An associate of mine will travel with you to keep you in line.”

  Dee whimpered, covering her mouth.

  “You’ll have a fake passport emailed to you. Once in Wales, the associate will bring you to my estate. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  “Jonathan, think. This is insane.”

  “You’ll come or Lydia will pay the price.” He blew a kiss into the phone. “Don’t tell anyone. See you soon.”

  “Wait.” She took a deep breath. “Promise me you won’t hurt Lydia.”

  “If you’re so worried I suggest you get here as soon as possible.” He moaned. “I can’t wait until you take your place by my side. Where you belong.”

  After Jonathan hung up, Dee called Lisa.

  “Leece.” Dee panted, clasping her bosom. “I need to tell you something and you can’t tell anyone else. Promise me.”

  “What is it, girl?”

  “It’s Jonathan.” Dee looked at Winston’s bedroom door. “He’s alive, and he has Lydia.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  “You can play games all you want, Mr. Babbitt.” Mr. Weaver, the obese manager of CeCe’s apartment building, stood in CeCe’s doorway sweating. “Now step away from the door and let me in.”

  “No.” CeCe held his place. “You have no right to come in without notice.”

  “I got every goddamn right, I manage this building.” Weaver pulled his stained T-shirt over his wide nose. “Your apartment’s stinking up the whole damn hallway.”

  CeCe clenched his teeth. “It’s not my apartment.”

  Ms. Okorie pointed at CeCe from her door. “It is you.”

  “It is you.” Mr. Choo rushed past, holding his nose.

  “It’s not me,” CeCe growled.

  More tenants came from their apartments, holding their noses.

  “I’ve had enough.” Weaver raised his flabby arm, shifting musk in CeCe’s direction.

  CeCe grimaced. “Look who’s talking about smells.”

  “Don’t worry about me, you little turd.” Weaver’s chins wobbled. “I’ll be back tomorrow with the police and if it still stinks in here you’re out. You understand me, boy? Your ass is out on the street and you can take that funk with you.” He waddled to the stairs and stopped, giving CeCe the evil eye. “Tomorrow morning, Babbitt.” He left.

  The tenants stared at CeCe.

  “What the fuck are you looking at?”

  He slammed his door.

  ****

  “Hey.” Connie caught Detective Phelps three days later.

  “Hey there.” Phelps sat at her desk, unwrapping the oily meatball sandwich. “Want some?”

  “Ugh.” Connie held her stomach. “That’s way too greasy for me. Needed to ask you something.”

  “How’s Dee? Heard she left town on an emergency.”

  “Yeah she has a friend or something sick. Um, how’s the Jessica Jacobs case going?”

  “Not too good.” Phelps stuck a straw in the can of her strawberry soda. “I’m not finding any leads and her body hasn’t turned up yet. Something on your mind?”

  “I told you my theory.”

  “I understand you don’t like CeCe but that doesn’t mean he’s a killer.”

  “Come on, Pipa. He’s lying about not knowing Jessica and he lied about his building being renovated.”

  “We don’t know he lied about Jessica and so what if he lied to his aunt?” Phelps munched. “Maybe he doesn’t want her snooping around in his business. It doesn’t prove he’s a killer and before you mention Jeanette Dobbins he was cleared and we have to respect that.”

  “Where is he then? He hasn’t been in the last few days.”

  Detective Le halted before passing Phelps’ desk. “You guys talking about CeCe?”

  “What makes you say that?” Phelps asked.

  Le chuckled, opening his sticky bun. “Connie’s always talking about CeCe.”

  She sighed, holding her hip. “What’s it to you?”

  The corners of his almond-shaped eyes lifted. “He doesn’t work here anymore.”

  Phelps dipped a fry in a pool of ketchup. “What?”

  “Yeah, he up and quit.” Le licked icing from his finger. “Hasn’t it been weird to you guys lately? Everyone’s vanishing.” He bit into the gooey pastry. “Lucian, CeCe, and now Dee’s run off.”

  “Shit.” Connie marched to her desk and called CeCe’s apartment building.

  “This is Mr. Weaver,” a man answered. “May I help you?”

  Connie leaned forward in her chair. “Is this the building manager?”

  “Yes it is.” He wheezed. “Are you interested in a rental?”

  “This is Detective Connie Wilks of the Baltimore Police. Does a CeCe Babbitt still live there?”

  “No and good riddance. He was a pain the ass.”

  “Shit.” Connie sighed, rubbing her forehead. “He’s gone?”

  “Yep.” He crunched as if he were eating chips. “Never been happier to see a tenant leave. There was this awful funk coming out of his apartment and it was driving everyone crazy.”

  “Do you know where he went? Or where he’s staying now?”

  “Hell no and I don’t care. Is that all you wanted?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Have a good day then.” He hung up.

  “Damn it.” Connie rubbed her mouth. “CeCe. How did we let you get away?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Days later, Dee sat stiff in the luxurious Town Car as Jonathan’s driver steered through the curved roads and
lush countryside of Red Marrow.

  She glanced beside her at Rake, Jonathan’s associate who’d accompanied her on the trip.

  Resembling a reject from a 1980s British rock band, Rake sat with his back erect, his jagged features unyielding to expression.

  “What?” His cockney accent held a sexy yet mysterious flair. “Got something to say? You’re staring.”

  “What kind of ‘associate’ are you again?”

  Lines of pink flowed through his pale skin and his mid-length, jet-black hair stood around his head in short spikes. “The kind that does whatever Mr. Wild says whenever he says it.”

  “You’re not what I expected.”

  “Ah.” He ran his fingers through his spikes and they popped back in place. “I could say the same thing about you, love.” Silver hoops dangled from his ears along with a stud in his right nostril. “Guess I’m growing on ya’?”

  After twenty more minutes of traveling farther into the rural abyss, they got to Jonathan’s estate.

  “Jesus.” Dee stared out the window, her eyes following the peaks of the stone mansion into the sky.

  “It’s something, isn’t it?” Rake’s accent blended in with the ambiance. “Back in me home, in London, blokes would come into the spot all the time and flash money like you wouldn’t believe.” He chuckled, his ivy-green eyes flashing. “I’ve worked for a lot of rich people.” He raised his shaggy, brown eyebrow. “Seen nothing like this.” He peeked out the window, whistling. “Mr. Wild put his heart and soul into this place. He plans to live here forever.”

  Dee bit the inside of her lip. “With me?”

  “He’s been going on and on about you, yeah.” Rake nodded. “Says you’re a tough one, but he’ll break you.”

  “Is that why he can’t leave me alone?” Dee asked. “I’m a challenge he can’t shake?”

  Rake’s thin lips eased into a seductive smile. “He wants to love you.”

  “Please.” She crossed her legs. “How could he love me when he doesn’t know what love is?”

  The driver cruised around the estate grounds. Soaring gates of iron and acres of trimmed grass created a fortress around the manor.

  “He has more gates than the White House,” Dee said. “Is this to keep people out or keep them in?”

  “You’re quick.” Rake smirked, head rocking. “Would you like to see the garden?”

  “Do I have a choice?”

  The driver drove them to the other end of the property.

  Rake helped her from the car amid an incredible garden stuffed with colorful blossoms.

  She followed him through the cement walkway.

  The trees flowed through the sky, their limbs reaching left and right.

  Rake’s flat nostrils lifted. “You’re gonna love it, Ms. Quarter.”

  “I don’t care how amazing this place is.” She looked at the statues and rock ornaments encasing the waterfall. “Winston Lewis is the only man I want, and I’d live in a cardboard box with him before living with Jonathan again.”

  “Too bad you don’t have a choice.” He shrugged a shoulder. “You’re here now and you’re never going back to Baltimore.”

  “Just watch and see.” She straightened her purse on her shoulder. “Take me to Lydia.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Dee pushed Rake aside and ran into the bedroom. “Lydia?”

  “Dee?” Lydia shoved the breakfast tray from her lap and ran into her sister’s arms. “Oh, Dee!”

  Dee swung her around, examining her. “Did they hurt you?”

  “No.” Lydia swallowed, taking a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have come. Jonathan will never let you go now.”

  “You’re my little sister.” Dee held Lydia’s face. “I don’t care if I have to stay here the rest of my life, I’d do anything to save you.”

  “What about the baby? Is it okay?”

  “I’m fine.” Dee hugged her and kissed her cheek.

  Lydia’s lips trembled. “I can’t believe Jonathan faked his death to get you back.”

  Dee turned to Rake. “I’m here so let her go.”

  He snorted, eyebrows wiggling. “That’s not my decision.”

  Jonathan waltzed inside and the tiny hairs on Dee’s arms stood. “Hello, Deidra.”

  “You.” She charged him. “I’m here you son of a bitch. Let Lydia go and we’ll settle this you and me.”

  “That fire.” He caught strands of Dee’s hair between his fingers. “That’s why I can’t get enough of you.”

  “I warned you, you fuck with my sister and that’s it.” She slapped his hand away. “Let Lydia go right now.”

  “No.” Lydia moved beside Dee. “I’m not leaving you either.”

  “What?” Dee grabbed her. “You’re getting your narrow, black ass on that jet. I’m not playing with you.”

  “I’m not going.”

  “Goddamn it, Lydia. This is a very dangerous situation.”

  She crossed her arms, batting her eyes. “That’s why I can’t leave you.”

  “Lydia.” Dee held her palms together. “After Dad died, I promised I’d let nothing happen to you. I can take care of Jonathan.”

  He smirked. “The pleasure would be all mine.”

  “This is my fight, baby girl.” Dee stroked Lydia’s cheeks. “Let me do this my way.”

  Lydia glanced at Rake and Jonathan.

  “Please.” Dee shut her eyes. “If I know you’re out of this mess, it’ll make everything much easier.”

  Lydia blubbered, holding her mouth. “If something happens to you, I won’t make it.”

  Jonathan’s face contorted with what might’ve been sympathy.

  “I love you.” Dee put her damp mouth to Lydia’s lips. “I got this.” She peered at Jonathan. “What the hell are you looking at? Make the arrangements and get her out of here.”

  Jonathan cocked his head to the side. “Nah.”

  “What?” Dee let Lydia go. “I’m here so let her go.”

  He walked in a circle, holding his hands behind his back. “I’d like Lydia to stay and partake in the plans I have for all of us.”

  “You bastard.” Dee jumped at him. “You said you’d let her go when I came. I’m here so let her go!”

  “I changed my mind.” He flicked lint off the shoulder of his black shirt. “I want Lydia to become a part of The Circle.”

  Lydia’s breath caught in her throat. “You promised.”

  Jonathan pursed his lips, staring at Dee. “I lied.”

  “You motherfucker.” Dee pounced on him, smacking and scratching his face. “Let her go. Let her go!”

  “Ah.” Jonathan stumbled back, blocking her punches. “That fire! Ha, ha! Oh, we need more of that around here. Get her, Rake.”

  Rake grabbed Dee around her waist.

  “Let me go!” Dee kicked and spit at Jonathan. “I hate you. You won’t get away with this!”

  “Well.” He straightened his collar. “This isn’t how I hoped our reunion would be but it’s exciting.”

  Dee scuffled with Rake, trying to get to Jonathan. “You’re gonna die for real!”

  “I want you both.” He sauntered to the door. “I suggest you calm down, Deidra. Think about the baby. Let’s let the sisters have time alone, Rake.”

  Rake walked to the door and stopped beside Jonathan.

  “Jonathan, please.” Dee sniffled. “Let Lydia leave. I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “Dee.”

  “Jonathan.” Dee stuck her hand in Lydia’s face to silence her. “I’ll do whatever you want. I will be Head Mistress.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “I’ll be whoever you want me to be but please if you have any decency in you let my sister go. She has nothing to do with this.”

  “On the contrary, Deidra.” He ogled Lydia, licking his lips. “We’re all going to live happily ever after in The Circle. I’ll be back once you’ve calmed down.”

  “No!” Dee ran to the door as he closed it.
“Jonathan!” She slid to her knees. “Let Lydia go, please! I’m begging you. Please!”

  Lydia knelt beside Dee, pulling her into her arms.

  “He’ll pay for this,” Dee whispered. “With every inch of his life.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  “I love it out here.” Jonathan walked Dee onto the stone platform of his third-floor terrace equipped with an outdoor fire pit and custom seats. “Come here.”

  She of course kept her distance.

  “This place takes you away, doesn’t it?” Jonathan sat on the unlit fire pit. “The longer I’m here the more fascinating it is.”

  “This place is gorgeous.” Dee turned in a circle. “I still don’t want to stay here with you.”

  “You’ll change your mind.”

  “No chance.”

  “Once you remember how happy we were together, you’ll never want to leave.”

  She swallowed, darting her eyes.

  “Deidra, in the three months we shared you said I made you happier than you’d ever been.”

  “You drugged me. Nothing I did or said during that time was real.”

  “It was.” His face crinkled. “You’re a part of us.”

  “I’ll kill you before I let you have me again.”

  “If you leave, I’d rather be dead.”

  “What are your plans with Lydia?”

  “I’d like to make her happy.” He swung his leg. “I admit having an insatiable appetite for exciting women like your sister but you’re the only woman I love.” He stood, yanking her hands to bring her toward him. “We’ll have the most amazing life. We’ll travel anywhere you want to go. You’ll have all the money you need. I’ll worship you.”

  “All I want is true love.” She pulled her hands back. “That’s one thing you’ll never be able to give.”

  “Winston will never love you like I do. Look at all the trouble I’ve gone to, to be with you.” He brought his mouth in for a kiss but she whipped her head in the opposite direction. “Just a kiss, Deidra,” he whispered. “I won’t make love to you again until our wedding night.”

  A chuckle escaped before she realized it. “What did you say?”