Victoria

by Laura Marie Henion

  He was in perfect physical condition, trim, solid, military attitude and all. They watched and listened as he spoke about his intentions and they waited, debating what they would say to him and wondering how they would tell Victoria.

  As Steven finished talking, the group cheered again before concluding the meeting.

  Peter and Brian watched while the crowd seemed to gather around Steven and swallow him up.

  "I can't believe this. He's alive and well and this is the first we're seeing of him?” Brian stated.

  Peter remained silent, filled with mixed emotions—excitement, relief, and anger all combined. He couldn't imagine how Victoria would react. The instant he thought of his sister, the sick feeling filled his stomach.

  When Steven had his chance to escape the crowd of old friends, he immediately rushed over to Peter and Brian.

  "I'm sorry, guys; I know this must be a shock. I thought your Uncle Patrick would have told you."

  "He knew about this—about you?” Brian asked, as they shook hands.

  "Yes, I went to see him a couple of weeks ago when I first accepted the job. I needed to know about Victoria. I'm so sorry about your father, Peter."

  "Well, you're kind of late, man, in more ways than one,” Peter said sarcastically.

  * * * *

  Steven wasn't surprised by Peter's attitude.

  "I know I hurt your sister, and I plan on explaining everything to her as soon as I can,” Steven said.

  He had already seen her, without her knowledge. He watched her leave for work in the morning, her gorgeous, long brown hair and amazing body. She looked incredible, classy, and he wondered how to approach her.

  "Well, I'm not sure how she'll react to you, man. She's moved on,” Peter told him.

  "Yeah, in the wrong direction,” Brian added and explained what was going on with Victoria and Bret, as well as Danny Mardullo's murder.

  "I can't believe she's seeing someone.” Steven was in obvious shock.

  "She never forgot about you, Steven. She never dated anyone and believe me my sister can have her choice.” Peter crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at Steven.

  "I hope I'm not too late."

  "That's up to you, Steven. My cousin has been acting strange these last few weeks. The family is concerned. We keep blaming it on the anniversary of her father's death, but I think it's more and so does Peter,” Brian glanced around being sure no one was in earshot.

  "Talk to me, guys. Tell me everything you know. I love her. I've never stopped loving her and I won't."

  Peter took a deep breath as Brian filled Steven in on Danny Mardullo's murder, the new information soon to be released, and Victoria's sudden interest in Bret Collins.

  By the end of their conversation, they were talking to other officers on the task force about the plans for later in the evening.

  A few hours later, everyone met at Phill's to celebrate Steven's return.

  * * * *

  "You're doing fantastic, Victoria. I would never know you were just acting. He's buying it and I'm sure he'll make his offer soon,” Warren told her as she spoke on her cell phone.

  "I don't know how long I can pull this off. I'm hurting my family. You should have seen the way my cousin Tom acted today. It hurt so much."

  "But you pretended to lean on Collins. You let your true emotions help you act. You were great."

  "You were there? You were watching?"

  "I told you we would be. There's no way we'd leave you alone with him. Don't worry, you're doing fine, and we'll touch base with you soon."

  'Don't worry'—that's easy for him to say. She closed the phone and sat in her car outside her house. Just then, she heard a car pull up alongside hers in the driveway. Her brother, Peter, got out and he didn't look too happy. Victoria swallowed hard, preparing herself for a battle with her brother over Bret.

  "Let's go inside and talk. You look tired,” he told her. She locked her jeep door and headed toward the walkway.

  "I am tired."

  Once they were inside, Victoria offered her brother a glass of iced tea, and he accepted.

  "There's something I need to tell you, Victoria, and it's important."

  "I don't want to hear anything else about Bret, Peter."

  "It's about Steven,” he shot back at her.

  Instantly, she swung around toward him. “What about Steven?” She just couldn't bear any other bad news, not after the past few days. She would lose it right now if Steven were dead.

  "He's alive, Tory, and he's back in town."

  She was shocked, flabbergasted, as a lump formed in her throat along with a mix of emotions.

  "What? Where is he? Why didn't he come to see me? What?"

  Peter grabbed her hands and settled her down, then explained the situation. She realized, suddenly, Steven must have sent the flowers to her office.

  Attempting to bring her back to the present, Peter placed his hand under her chin and gently lifted it toward him.

  "I think a lot happened to him in the war, sis, and he's having difficulty coming to see you. He feels bad for not being here for you when Dad died. He felt he had no choice but to break all connections to the civilized world, I guess. I'm sure he'll explain everything to you."

  "Where is he now? Is he coming here?"

  "The guys are having a welcome home celebration for him at Phill's tonight. I'm supposed to bring you there. He asked me to."

  Victoria was in shock. Steven was alive and only minutes away.

  She felt dizzy and nauseous as she held onto her brother for support.

  "Are you feeling all right?"

  "I can't believe he's alive and here in River Point."

  She turned away.

  What would he look like, be like, after all this time? How should she react to him? She thought so many things, then halted at the realization of the current situation.

  She had a role to play, a job to do, and finding her father's killer, capturing him, meant more to her than anything she could ever want for herself.

  Glancing up, she caught Peter watching her. No doubt, he was concerned and probably wondered what was wrong with her.

  "I couldn't imagine how you feel right now, Tory, but at least the worrying is over. He's alive! He's in our town, and he's here to stay."

  Victoria remained silent, so Peter continued. He explained about Steven's new position.

  "You have to talk to him, honey. You have to give him a chance to explain things to you."

  Still, no response.

  As if losing his patience with her, Peter snuggly grabbed her arms.

  "What's wrong with you? You're not acting like yourself at all?"

  "I need to think about this a little, Peter."

  "What's there to think about, Tory? Steven is back. He loves you. You've prayed for this day."

  She could tell Peter was getting angry with her, but at the moment, her head was spinning in a state of confusion, relief, anger, and upset.

  She stayed silent, gave no response, and Peter stood there watching her. She was shaking. Her face was pale, and she fought as hard as she could to hold the tears inside. “I'll meet you there later, all right?"

  "Are you sure? What is it, Tory? Talk to me."

  "I need to be alone.” Her voice cracked as she turned away.

  The silence passed between them

  "You used to tell me everything. You can talk to me about anything, Tory, anything at all."

  Victoria gulped the lump of emotion in her throat and willed the tears away. Silently, in her mind, she called out to her brother with the desire to share her secret but she knew she couldn't. He would insist she stop and leave the investigating to the detectives.

  "Are you sure?” he asked again, when she didn't respond.

  She nodded.

  He kissed her on the top of her head and headed out the door.

  Moments later, she was in a panic as she quickly changed her clothes. She reapplied her makeup and an hour
later, sat on the couch, just watching the clock.

  She was so scared. She couldn't move. Visions of all the wonderful times she and Steven had together came crashing into her mind. The way he'd surprise her with a bouquet of wildflowers out of nowhere, just as he did yesterday.

  She should have figured it out, but because of the investigation and her new undercover gig, she hadn't even noticed. Why wouldn't Steven come see her immediately? Why wait so long, get the new position at work, and let the community know he was alive and well before her? The thought hurt immensely.

  Her mind had been traveling in circles as she continued to ponder going over to Phill's. Everyone would be there, her whole family, his whole family.

  She pulled her wallet out of her purse and dug out the small, wallet size picture of her and Steven. It was a time when their lives were perfect, and they were deeply in love. She embraced the photo as she recalled the way he made her feel, always wanting him, needing him every day and every night.

  She tried to forget the lovemaking, the intimacy they shared and its power. His kisses alone made her whole body tingle. Then there was the war and his need to be a Marine first. She respected him for it, and at the same time, she hated him for it. It destroyed everything they shared, including their future. He'd tossed her away like garbage.

  Here she stayed in this condo, worrying, not eating, crying herself to sleep every night, and there he was, pushing her away, farther and farther. He got his wish, and now, she had something more important to handle. Then when he finally returned, he didn't come to see her first? Why?

  With these final thoughts, she gave herself a reassuring smile in the full-length mirror and headed out the door, praying the pep talk was enough.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter 6

  Ronnie Chappa nearly crashed his car into the adjacent vehicle as he maneuvered into the empty parking space at his apartment complex. He made it home, no problem, even though he was drunk. If pulled over, more than likely, he'd know the cop and get out of it. He didn't give a shit anyhow. Most of the cops had probably stopped by Phill's tonight for Steven the Marine's welcome home party. He didn't get an invitation, of course, because the other cops were jealous of him. The asshole captain chewed him out this afternoon as soon as he and the rookie arrived at the department. Everyone heard and he'd needed a drink. He didn't give a shit what they thought.

  He was moving up and as soon as Bret Collins made supervisor, he would get his shield and be an official detective. Never mind the fact, he would be one of the wealthiest and best paid detectives in town. It was good to have a corrupt supervisor in charge as well as corrupt board members that had the power to pass and dismiss anything they wanted. The trick was to have them in one's pocket and that's exactly the power Collins had.

  He laughed with pride then tripped on the sidewalk. His face hit the pavement, and he grunted then laughed as he attempted to get himself up.

  "Let me help you, Officer Chappa.” Ronnie heard the familiar voice. The man grabbed his arm and assisted him.

  "What are you doing here?” He tried to shake the drunkenness from his head, which just added to his stupor as he laughed then he bent down to retrieve his keys from the pavement.

  "You've had a few too many. Been talking a bit too much, huh?"

  "No, sir, I haven't. I only had a few. I'm fine."

  The man gave him a jab to the stomach. Instantly, Chappa was back on the ground again. The man then dragged him back toward his car.

  "Let's ride in my car. It's better than your piece of shit."

  "Where are we going?” Chappa still tried to recover from the blow.

  "You're going to the grave, my man. My needs have changed.” Chappa felt a sharp pain to the back of his head right before he passed out.

  * * * *

  The music blared, and everyone was having a good time.

  Victoria had remained outside in the parking lot for a good fifteen minutes until someone recognized her. Her brother's friend, Jerry, a police officer, walked her inside from the parking lot. There was no turning back now.

  It was obvious everyone recognized her immediately when she entered through the front door. She smiled politely, but her heart pounded out of control. Her body shook and she scanned the room for Steven. Their gazes met simultaneously and both of them froze where they were. Her hand instinctively covered her mouth in shock, and the tears burned her eyes. The strength she got from her pep talk earlier just disintegrated, in one ‘poof'—it was gone.

  He was more handsome than she recalled, taller, sexier, and in exquisite physical condition. She could feel herself blush, her heart race, her mouth became dry. Damn it, she never loved anyone more.

  Swallowing hard, she stood in one place, unable to move any further. Steven closed the distance between them.

  * * * *

  Steven watched her as she entered the room, and his heart paused a moment, then the pounding started again, just like yesterday when he saw her outside her office. She was gorgeous, and he noticed the way others stopped to check her out as he made his way to her. He had been through a war for Christ's sake, and yet, nothing compared to the trepidation, the anxiety he feared at this moment. It was powerful, emotional, and he hoped not disastrous.

  He couldn't help himself as his gaze traveled over her body. His body instantly and naturally responded. Missing her, he needed to feel her body against his own. He needed to touch her, to feel her, and love her once again.

  She wore a fitted pair of Capri pants, light beige that accentuated her curvy figure and an expensive looking blouse that hid a tight-fitted tank top, beaded along the trim. His gaze roamed over the slight cleavage, then toward the gold heart locket around her neck. It was from her father for her sixteenth birthday.

  Pausing in front of her, all he wanted to do was embrace her, kiss her breathless, and be completely alone with the woman he never stopped loving. Only, twisted within those emotions was a feeling of unfamiliarity. Had time made them strangers?

  * * * *

  It seemed like forever and when he stood so tall and amazingly irresistible in front of her, the electricity between them was enormous. She couldn't force herself to hate him. Victoria couldn't breathe just from the sight of him. He was real. He was alive. She swallowed hard.

  She begged her mind and body to stick to the plan, to hate him, to resist him with all her might.

  Her plan failed as he reached for her. The feel of each solid hand against her body punctured through the material of her blouse, directly to her skin. His arms drew her into an embrace and she lost it.

  All she could do was hold him and cry ... just hold him and cry.

  She didn't know how long they embraced, just that she'd missed him and had felt dead inside until this very moment. She sobbed uncontrollably, releasing all the fear, anxiety, and heartache that had filled every inch of her body, heart, mind, and soul. In one embrace, it all released. She felt it move through her body right down to her toes and out.

  This man had the power to heal her, to touch her in ways no other human being, action or miracle, could ever touch her. He would always possess her heart.

  Steven caressed her hair, holding her compressed against his body. It seemed like they merged as one.

  "Tory, sweetheart, I've missed you so much; you're so beautiful. My God, you're gorgeous.” He looked into her eyes and embraced her again.

  "I can't believe it's you. You're alive,” was all she could say as others gathered around them, obviously making celebratory comments, overjoyed at their reunion, more than aware of the love between them.

  Steven's father approached, and Victoria wiped her eyes while Steven held her gently around the waist.

  The three of them embraced and the crowd cheered.

  "Get over here, you two. This is a real celebration and time for a few words,” Steven's father, Jerry, said. Then someone passed Victoria a mug of beer and one to Steven.

  "Hey, hey, hey, everyb
ody. I've got a few words to say!” Jerry yelled, and the sound of hushes flowed over the crowd of people. Victoria dried her eyes best she could, then took a few steps away from Steven, letting go of his hand.

  They exchanged glances as Jerry talked about his son, the Marine, and how proud he was and how grateful he was that Steven was alive. Steven looked at her as if he could sense her fear and reservations. If anyone could destroy her masquerade ... it would be Steven.

  "Welcome home, Steven!” Jerry shouted. Then others joined in as they cheered and the music started playing again.

  Stories and conversations continued through the night along with an uplifting spirit that seemed to extinguish the fact a cop killer remained at large.

  Worries the new information about her father's connection to Linda Delaney would come to life, she couldn't help celebrate her lover's return.

  Her lover. Glancing toward Steven, watching him smile and linger in the crowd with family and friends was just too much to handle. Pretending that everything was fine, that they could fall right back into a relationship was exhausting. All these people standing around her, celebrating Steven's return, drinking their beer, their cocktails, and talking about law enforcement, the military and the war, politics and River Point was overwhelming.

  Did they all forget about her father's murder? Would they even care if their local politicians and perhaps board members cheated them?

  Glancing around the room as women pined over Steven, took every chance to caress his muscular arm, give him a welcome home hug, or blush from his natural sex appeal was taking too much effort to care. Years ago, moments like that would have made her possessiveness emerge. She'd grab his arm, kiss his cheek, and cuddle next to him as others looked on in admiration.

  Not now—not ever again. There was a killer loose, there was work needing done that mattered and when Steven chose the war over her, new priorities were set.

  Vowing that anything she wanted for herself was unobtainable until her father's killer was behind bars, she quietly and discretely left the building.

  She made her way outside where it was less noisy and breathed a little better.