Lisa hadn’t noticed that Erica had left the room until she returned from her bedroom with the black leather carryall. She unzipped it and handed it to Harvey. He looked inside, then at Erica. “Where did this come from?”
“Lisa and Mike brought it from the crashed plane. It belonged to their pilot,” Erica said.
Harvey glanced at Lisa. “This changes everything. There could be over a quarter of a million dollar’s worth here.”
“It’s not ours,” Lisa said.
“If you brought it here, you are responsible. In the eyes of the law, you handled illegal drugs. And in this quantity you are looking at a long stretch.”
Lisa looked at Erica and pleaded with her eyes for her to do what she had promised, but Erica just shook her head. “You promised, Erica. You said he wouldn’t arrest us.”
Erica nodded. “Dance for him and he might change his mind.”
Harvey shrugged. “It’ll take more than a simple dance to change my mind now, Erica.”
“What if it wasn’t a simple dance?” Erica said. “What if she went further?”
Harvey scratched his chin and smirked. He seemed to like that suggestion.
Lisa turned to Luke. “Please do something.”
Luke glanced at Erica. ‘Give us a minute.’ He took Lisa’s hand and led her outside. Then he wrapped his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “I can’t change the sheriff’s mind unless we give him something. I need you to do this so he’ll leave you here.”
Lisa thought for a moment. The prospect of jail terrified her, but so did the thought of being intimate with Harvey. She shook her head. “I’d rather take my chances in court.”
Luke sighed. “How can you be sure a jury would believe you? If they don’t find Carlos, the prosecution could claim he never existed. Can you prove he did?”
Her shoulders slumped and her head dropped. Luke was right. It would be too big of a risk going to jail and fighting for justice. She had to face facts. She and Mike were guilty of transporting drugs, and even though they had no intention of distributing them, successfully arguing that in court would be difficult. “Are you okay with me dancing for him?”
“I’d rather you didn’t, but I know it’s for us, and Harvey is like family. So it’s not as if some random guy will be staring at your body.” He held her shoulders and smiled at her. “Wait here a minute.”
Luke walked back inside and returned with Erica. The woman stared at her for a moment. “Has Luke talked some sense into you?”
“This wasn’t what we agreed.”
“What we agreed?”
“You told me that if I was nice to your son, you’d make sure the sheriff didn’t arrest me and Mike. Well, I was nice.” She paused a moment. “I was very nice.”
“Sometimes in negotiations, we have to make compromises. So this is just an adjustment to the terms we agreed, that’s all.”
“You make it sound like a business transaction.”
“I suppose it is. Just because money isn’t changing hands doesn’t make it any less of a transaction. He gets the drugs and a dance, and you and Mike escape jail and a long prison sentence.”
Yet again Lisa felt her free will deserting her, and yet again she was at the mercy of this woman, and as much as she wanted to turn and run, she knew she couldn’t. Not just because she would be leaving Mike behind. But because she felt as though she was completely under the control of this family, with no choice but to do as they ordered. She was being manipulated, and there was nothing she could do about it. And she was not only under the spell of Erica, but Luke as well. “Harvey said I had to go further. How far is further?”
Erica glanced down at Lisa’s body. “Everything off. Then you dance for him, that’s all.”
“And if he wants to touch me and me to touch him?”
“Then do it. Basically, you do anything he wants apart from fucking him.”
Lisa’s mind was in a fog. But her resistance had gone. Their manipulation was complete. “Just one condition.”
Erica frowned. “What is it?”
“I need to see Mike first. He heard the sheriff’s car and will be waiting for me to tell him who it was.”
Erica nodded. “You don’t make conditions, but I’ll give you this one. You have five minutes and not a second longer.”
Lisa turned and hurried around to the cabin. She couldn’t tell Mike what she was about to do, but she needed to see him to reinforce in her own mind why she had to comply.
29
MIKE
While waiting for Lisa to return and tell him about the vehicle they had heard arriving, Mike thought about her last visit and how she had seemed preoccupied with something, or someone. He’d studied her as she sat down next to him and was fairly sure she’d had some kind of sexual reaction. Maybe even a full-blown orgasm. He’d almost asked her about it but had stopped himself from completing the sentence, and the fact she hadn’t asked him to finish his question just confirmed his suspicions. Maybe it had been some delayed reaction to either a recent sexual encounter or a fantasy about one. And he could guess who the subject of her experience or fantasy would’ve been.
Although married only three years ago, they had been together for nearly four years before that. As far as he knew, he was her first serious boyfriend and her first and only sexual partner. She was nineteen when they met and it had surprised him to learn she was still a virgin. She had kept him waiting for six months before going all the way and he used to joke with her that they were longest six months of his life. But in reality, he would have waited six years if necessary.
He knew the second he laid eyes on her, she was the one for him. But he took it slow, and it was only after he suspected the attraction may be mutual that he asked her out for an after work dinner. She agreed, and they’ve been together ever since.
But now he had to consider the possibility that their relationship had run its course and that she was starting a new chapter in her life. As hard as it would be to watch her walk away from him, he would have to allow her that freedom if it turned out to be what she wanted.
So he had to keep reminding himself that it was all his fault. He had betrayed her in the worst possible way, and there was a price to pay. One he hoped he wouldn’t be paying for the rest of his life.
30
LISA
Lisa tried to clear her head as she walked into the cabin. In the past, Mike would be the first person she would speak to when she was in turmoil about something. But now he was the last person she could confide in. Especially when it involved her stripping and dancing for an aging sheriff. So she forced out a smile and told him that the sheriff had brought Billy back.
He just stared at her for a moment. Did he know how stressed she was? Had she given off signs despite her determination not to? She held her breath and resisted an urge to twist her hair around her fingers, because it would be a certain giveaway.
But Mike’s frown transitioned into a huge grin. “That’s great news. Has he got the new part for the truck?”
Lisa raised a hand to her mouth.
Mike straightened his face. “Haven’t you asked?”
“I got distracted. He seems to be good friends with this family, so Erica got the wine out and…” Her voice trailed away.
“Yes, you certainly seem distracted recently.” His voice carried no anger, just disappointment.
Lisa’s heart sank. How could she have been worrying about herself and forgetting about Mike? Regardless of his infidelity, she still cared about him and wanted him well again. “Maybe the sheriff can take you, so the truck won’t matter.”
“Maybe. But I have to ask. Do you still want to get out of here as much as I do?”
She answered instantly, without giving herself time to show any uncertainty. “Of course I do.”
Mike seemed to be studying her as he nodded. “I’m glad to hear it.” But his narrowed eyes and concentrated gaze told her he wasn’t so sure she was being truthful.
He looked into the glass, took a sip, and pulled a face.
Lisa nodded. “It’s not like the wine we normally drink, but you kind of get used to it after a while.”
“It seems very strong. Be careful you don’t drink too much of it. You know alcohol makes you lose your inhibitions.”
Lisa nearly laughed out loud. If he only knew. While the wine may have played a part, it was Erica who was the main architect of her recent lack of inhibition and her obedience to this family.
Mike said, “There’s something you need to know.”
Lisa waited for him to continue.
“The cartel will send more men out here looking for that bag.”
She nodded. “I know.”
“We need to find it because it’s our only chance of getting them off our backs, and even then it’s not guaranteed.”
“Summer took it.”
“What?”
“Summer had the bag. She must have taken it from under the bed.”
“But that guy was going to shoot her.”
“I know. I asked her about it. She was waiting until he counted to four.”
“Oh my God, is she crazy?”
“She was playing some kind of game.”
“With her life?”
“She’s controlled by Erica and Ed. I think to her it was the most excitement she’s ever had. And I think it’s why she has a crush on you. She’s probably never had one-on-one attention before.”
Mike slowly shook his head, as if in disbelief. Then his expression took on a lighter tone, and he raised an eyebrow. “It couldn’t be because she thinks I’m handsome and a good catch?”
Lisa grinned. “Of course not.”
“It’s good to see you laughing again.”
Lisa drew a quick breath. “How long have I been here?”
“About five minutes. Why?”
“I have to go.”
“Whats the rush?”
“I’m sorry, Mike, but I have to get back. Erica gave me five minutes.”
Mike frowned. “Since when does she control your time?”
“You don’t understand. Erica has given the sheriff the bag of drugs. He wanted to arrest us. Erica is the only one who can stop him. I have to go.”
“But why…”
Lisa rushed out of the cabin, and when she entered the house, she was breathing hard.
Erica glanced up to an old wooden faced clock on the wall. Then she turned back to Lisa. “Good girl.” She walked over and handed her a glass. “Now drink your wine. It’ll help you relax.”
Lisa took the glass and gulped down a couple of big mouthfuls. Mike was right. Alcohol erodes her inhibitions, and that’s just what she needed.
She spent the next half-hour drinking wine and getting more tipsy with each sip.
And then it was time.
Erica held out a hand, pulled Lisa up from the couch, then wrapped her arms around her to steady her. As they stood with their bodies pressed together, Erica raised her hand, and with a delicate touch, ran her fingertips down Lisa’s cheek, onto her neck, and down over her breast. Then she swept Lisa’s hair to one side, kissed the nape of her neck, and breathed in long and slow.
Lisa froze. It was not what she had expected. Erica had shown no hint that she was attracted to her, and it had never crossed Lisa’s mind that she could be. Nor had she ever thought about being with another woman. So she held her breath and waited to see what Erica would do next.
Erica stepped away and smirked at her. “I think Harvey would like that dance now.”
Harvey shuffled in his seat into a more upright position. “Yes, I would.”
Lisa looked at Erica. “But there’s no music.”
“I’ll fix that.” Erica went to an old record player on a sideboard, switched it on, and placed the needle down onto the vinyl. As a slow, melodic string instrumental filled the room, Erica disappeared into the bedroom.
Lisa glanced around. She was alone with Harvey. And the wine had not only loosened her inhibitions, but her tongue, too. “Are you really a sheriff?”
He raised his brow. “Of course I am. Why do you ask?”
“Because you don’t seem like one. Shouldn’t you be back looking after the town?”
“Don’t worry about that. My deputies take care of things when I’m not there. Now stop talking and let me see you dance.”
Lisa began to sway to the music.
“Not like that.” he said, in a tone filled with frustration. “Move sexier, like Shakira.”
His request was ironic. She taught Shakira’s style of hip swaying back at the gym. It was the dance most requested by the women in her class because they wanted to impress their husbands with it, and it was also the dance that brought the most laughter from her students as they tried, and mostly failed, to master its seductive belly dancing style. She could never have imagined doing it in front of a rogue sheriff in the middle of the woods in order to prevent her and Mike from being arrested for drug trafficking. But she closed her eyes, imagined she was at home on her own, and although the music didn’t match the style, she moved her hips slowly and seductively from side to side.
It wasn’t long before Harvey asked her to go further, and remembering what Erica had told her, she unbuttoned her dress all the way down, but left it on as she continued to move.
He unzipped his trousers and beckoned her to him.
She shook her head. “This is as far as I’m going.”
“That wasn’t the deal. It’s all the way or I’ll arrest you.”
She stopped dancing and folded her arms across her chest. “How do you think it’ll go when I tell the judge what you are doing?”
“I said I’d arrest you. I didn’t say you would reach the jail.”
As Lisa began fastening the buttons on her dress, he stood up and lunged at her. “Give me a kiss.”
She backed away and fell back over a low table, sending two wine glasses crashing to the floor.
Erica ran out from the bedroom. “What the hell is going on out here?”
Lisa jumped up and turned to her. “I can’t do it, Erica. I just can’t do what he wants. Please don’t make me.”
Erica surprised her again. Lisa had expected to feel the full force of her wrath, but Erica wrapped an arm around her. “Fasten your dress and leave us alone.”
Lisa looked from Erica to Harvey, and then back to Erica. The woman nodded at her. “Just go.”
Lisa ran out of the front door and around to the cabin. She burst in and threw herself down on the bed, sobbing.
Mike held her in his arms. “What’s wrong?”
She took a few deep breaths and tried to regain her composure.
Mike pointed to her dress. “Why are your buttons open?”
She had no choice but to level with Mike about the deal she had made with Erica and the sheriff.
“I’m sorry, Mike, but I think I have just blown our chances of getting out of here.”
“What are you saying?”
“I made a deal.”
“What kind of deal?”
“I had to dance for the sheriff to prevent him arresting us for drug trafficking.”
Mike just stared at her.
“But that wasn’t all. I was told to do anything he wanted apart from making love.”
Mike gasped. “Anything?”
She nodded.
“And did you?”
“I couldn’t. I refused.”
“He can’t be the sheriff. They don’t go around demanding sex in exchange for freedom.”
“That’s what I thought. But he said he is, and he’s wearing the uniform.”
“How did he respond when you refused what he wanted?”
“He was angry. I think the deal is off. Which means he might arrest us.”
“It’s okay, Lisa. You were right to refuse. We can fight it in court if we have
to.”
“But they haven’t found Carlos yet. So we can’t prove the drugs are not ours.”
“Forget about Carlos. I doubt he would have admitted they were his, anyway.”
The door burst open and Harvey strode in. He glanced from Mike to Lisa. “Is this your husband?”
Lisa nodded.
Harvey turned back to Mike. “Can you walk?”
Mike shook his head.
“Then I’ll get the boys to carry you.”
Lisa moved between Mike and the sheriff. “Can’t you just take the drugs and go?”
“I wish I could.”
“What’s stopping you?” Mike asked.
“My sense of duty.”
Mike sniggered. “Was it your sense of duty that wanted my wife to strip for you?”
The sheriff scowled at Mike. “I’d watch that mouth of yours if I were you.”
Mike scowled back. “If I wasn’t stuck in this bed, I’d teach you a lesson you are lacking.”
“Oh yeah, and what would that be.”
“That badge on your chest means you should uphold the law, not break it.”
“Around here, this badge means I make the law.” He moved towards the bed.
Lisa stepped forward, palms raised as a signal for him to stop. But Erica shouted out from the doorway. “Harvey, that’s enough. It’s better that you go.”
Harvey drew his pistol and pointed it at Erica. “This time I’m not joking. If you want our little arrangement to continue, I suggest you leave here now. I’m going to fuck this bitch, then I’m taking them with me. Maybe we’ll have a little accident on the way to town. I can see the headlines now. Couple in custody for drug trafficking perish when the sheriff’s car crashes and explodes into flames. I might even get a commendation for trying to pull them out.”
Erica shook her head. “Not this time, Harvey. Not with this girl.”
Harvey pulled back on the hammer of his pistol.
Erica shook her head. “We’ve all had too much to drink. You should just go and we can forget about this.”
“It’s you who should go, Erica.”
THE CRUEL SEVEN Page 14