His Redemption

by Nikki Chase-Coakley

  She then pressed her face into his sweaty throat and gave a shuddering breath. "I knew if I just hung in there until you came out you wouldn't let anything happen to me."

  Unsure what to say, he continued to hold Sarah until she drifted back to sleep. He hadn't saved her- not really. She'd still been beaten by those men. It was just dumb luck he'd come out when he did and saw them. When he did he'd seen red and all he could think about was killing the bastards that would even think about touching his woman.

  The vibration of his cell ringing startled him out of his thoughts. Inching off the bed he stepped out of the room to answer it. "Hello?"

  The caller ID registered a number he didn't recognize but the voice was all too familiar. "Hi, Tony"

  "Christy? What do you want?"

  She giggled, a strange maniacal sort of laugh that sent chills down his spine. "How's your bitch?"

  "What are you talking about?"

  "You know. Did she enjoy the little surprise I set up for her? I bet she was howling like a dog in heat when you found her huh? Did it feel like old times for you? Did you jump in and join the fun?"

  Tony tried hard to make sense out of Christy's words that sounded eerily familiar. "Are you saying you're the one responsible for Sarah's attack tonight?"

  "I wouldn't call it an attack exactly more like justice. That thing you have the nerve to call a fiancé was put right where she belongs in the gutter with all the other trash and you were reminded of what you really are. No matter how hard you try you will never be able to escape the truth."

  His anger was a living breathing thing as he considered just how treacherous this woman really was. "You know I'm going to call the cops just as soon as I get off this phone right?"

  Another giggle. "Oh please, like that will matter. You can't prove anything. My friends will never give me up."

  He tried to think of a way to get her to giver herself away. He wasn't sure if she'd been taking drugs or drinking but doubted she was sober at the moment. That could be a good thing.

  "Not true, I just got off the phone with the police and they're looking for you. Your friends- what were their names? I can't remember. Anyway, they gave you up. Told everyone that would listen, they were paid by you to go after Sarah."

  "Rob and Dylan would never do that and I didn't pay them anything. I-" As if her one sober brain cell had clicked on she hung up.

  Tony immediately called the number on the business card he was given by one of the arresting officers. As soon as he was connected he filled Officer Reynolds in on what had just happened.

  "That jives with what our guests have been telling us. I have to say whatever you did to them must have scared the daylights of them. When they came- to, both of them were spilling their guts to anyone that would listen. I almost feel guilty it was so easy to get them to talk."

  "Will you be going after Christy now?"

  The officer heaved a sigh. "We can bring her in for questioning but the problem is we don't have any actual evidence. More than likely, she would be out in a matter of hours without anything concrete to stick on her. From what I understand, the girl paid them in sexual favors not money. Right now it's all a case of her words against yours and theirs. Yes, you are all in agreement on what was said but those are just words. Unless the conversation was recorded I can't really use it."

  They ended the call with Tony feeling more frustrated than ever. He wandered back into the bedroom and saw Sarah still resting peacefully. The realization hit him hard at just what lengths a crazy woman was willing to go to tear of them apart. What else would happen? What if they couldn't get to Christy? Would there be another attack? The thought terrified him. He could have lost Sarah tonight. As much as he didn't want to, there was only one solution he could think of to bring this all to an end. It was the last thing he wanted but he couldn't see any other way to keep the woman he loved safe.

  "So that's it? You just woke up today and decided I'm too much trouble and you don't want me after all?" Sarah looked at him the next morning in bewilderment after he told her he wanted to end their engagement.

  "I don't understand. What made you change your mind about us? Was it something I did or said?"

  He ran a hand over his face and tried his best not to look directly at her. If he did he would probably lose his nerve and she was better off without him. "No, of course not, I just think it would be better for both of us if we backed off for a bit. Things between us happened so fast it's probably a good idea to take some time to think about what we're about to do before it's too late."

  "Too late for who, you or me?" She demanded.

  When he didn't say anything she nodded. "I see."

  No she didn't but eventually she would. She stood then and moved to the dresser to retrieve clothes. Tony watched in silence as she slid a fresh pair of panties and jeans on under her nightgown as she dressed she spoke over her shoulder.

  "I'm not sure what's going on here Tony. You claimed you love me that you wanted us to be together forever. You even proposed. Then just a couple of weeks later you tell me you need space. I don't like games and I never in my wildest dreams expected you to play them."

  "This isn't a game Sarah. It's for the best."

  “Says who?”

  She zipped her jeans and tugged her nightgown over her head to put on a bra. Once the material slipped off her back he caught sight of ugly blackened bruises he hadn't been able to see before. There was one on her side and one on her right arm in the shape of a hand. They hadn't been noticeable hours ago but they were now, marring the perfection of her golden brown skin. The sight of them strengthened his resolve. This was his Sarah and Christy had paid those men to take what didn't belong to them and defile it, all because she couldn't have the man she wanted. His hands balled into fists as Sarah finished dressing. He used that anger to force out the final words.

  "You were right to have reservations about us. We really don't belong together. I think it would be best if we stopped seeing each other."

  Before she could argue with him some more he fled like the coward he knew he was down the stairs and out of the house. With any luck when he returned the house would be empty. He drove around town for several hours stopping to check in on the new shop and run some errands for the house. He still needed to get groceries and-. His cell rang cutting off his thoughts. A check of the caller ID told him that it wasn't Sarah. He wasn't sure if he was happy about that or not.

  "Mom, how are you?"

  "Tony, is everything alright?" Celeste asked cautiously.

  He wanted to laugh. There was so much wrong he didn't know where to start. "I'm fine why do you ask?"

  "Well, your father and I flew in for a quick visit to talk to you about your wedding plans. Sarah answered the door. When I told her why we were there she told me that we'd wasted a trip. Then she started crying and raced out of the house. She looked absolutely dreadful by the way. You didn't do that to her did you?"

  The icy warning note in his mother's voice told him what she thought of any man that would ever lay a hand on a woman. It felt good that she seemed to be feeling protective towards Sarah. Too bad it was too late for it to matter.

  "No, I didn't but I may as well have." He went on to explain what happened and heard her shock and outrage.

  "So why is she upset with you?"

  "I told her we can't see each other anymore and no, Mom, I don't want to talk about it. I'm tired and things are too complicated to deal with at the moment. I’ll be home soon but first I need some time to clear my head."

  When he opened the door hours later, his parents were there to greet him. He received a hug from both of them and then Peter left the room on the premise of bringing their bags upstairs. "I forgot to mention that Sarah asked us to tell you that she'll be at her mother's if you decide to come to your senses."

  ∞∞∞

  “What the hell happened to your face, Angel?” Jimmy demanded after first seeing Sarah.

  She tried to smile b
ut the muscles ached so much all she could manage was a grimace. “I had a run in with two guys Tony chased out of here the other day. Apparently, they felt the need for some retribution for the way they were treated and I was an easy target.”

  “Damn,” he swore. “They didn’t -you know, do anything else did they?”

  She shook her head as she continued to place things in a box she’d already set on her chair. “No, Tony showed up before they could get that far but they made it pretty clear that's what they'd intended.”

  Jimmy swore again this time more viscously and moved to give her a brotherly hug. “I'm so sorry. I wish I'd been there to help him out. So, is this why you wanted to talk to me? You don’t want anyone to see you until you heal up a little?”

  “No, that’s not it. Although, I would appreciate it if you guys could walk the women to their cars if they have to work late.”

  “Done, I’ll talk to them when I go back down. So why did you call me then?"

  “I wanted to talk to you about taking over my job.”

  “You’re kidding right?”

  “Why would I do that? You’re qualified. You know the business like the back of your hand and you’re a hard worker. Frankly, I’m surprised Tony hadn’t offered you the position from the start.”

  “Yeah well, that was Mike’s doing. We didn’t always see eye to eye. I’ll admit I resented his choice at first but after seeing you in action I can see why they chose you instead. You’re really good at what you do.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So why would you want to give me your job? Is Tony on some macho kick about being the one to provide for his family or something? Or did your run in with those punks scare him in to wanting to keep you at home where he could protect you?”

  She sighed and set the box down on the floor so she could take her seat. “No, it's nothing like that. I only wish it was. At least then I would be able to understand it.”

  When Jimmy just looked at her without saying anything she felt herself trying not to squirm beneath his scrutiny. “Tony broke off our engagement. I’m only here to get my things then I’m out of here. I didn’t want to leave him in the lurch so I was hoping you would take over the position.”

  “I know it’s none of my business but why would he just end things? You didn’t cheat on him or anything did you?”

  She gave him a helpless shrug. “I don’t know what happened. I thought we were happy. One minute we were planning a life together the next he’s changing his mind and I haven’t a clue why. I think it has something to do with when I was attacked but I can’t say for sure and he's so vague about everything. No matter how hard I try I can’t get him to tell me anything. And you know I’ve never been unfaithful to him. We spent nearly every waking moment together. Even if I’d wanted to I would never have had an opportunity to be with anyone else.”

  She stopped and took a deep cleansing breath just as she started feeling panicked. She would get through this.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Tony’s voice boomed from the doorway.

  Jimmy jumped then glared up at his friend before standing. “Sarah was just filling me in on the job I’ll be taking over once she's gone.”

  Tony’s gaze moved to Sarah. “You’re quitting?”

  Sensing that things were about to get ugly Jimmy scooted past his friend. Tony stepped further into the room and shut the door. Sarah stood as well and bent to retrieve the box she’d been filling. She scooped a framed picture from the corner of her desk. It was the only photo she had of Tony in his military uniform. “Did you honestly expect me to stick around? You made it clear you wanted me gone so that’s exactly what you’re getting.”

  “But I was only talking about us. I still want you to work for me.”

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, our personal and professional lives overlapped. If you don’t want me around I have to leave completely. You can’t have it both ways.”

  After checking the drawers one final time to make sure she hadn’t left anything personal behind she hefted the box onto her hip and moved towards the door. Automatically, Tony opened it for her and she moved past him. “I’ll have my things out of your place in the next day or so. You can send my last check to my mother’s address and pretend this whole thing never happened.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You can send my last check to my mother’s address and pretend this whole thing never happened.”

  Tony knew better though. He hadn’t thought about what his words would mean when he made the decision to end it with Sarah. He would never see her again at home or at work. He’d heard her talking with Jimmy before he’d barged in and she was right. Their lives had become so intertwined that he was not just asking her to leave a relationship. In order to make a clean break she would have to leave her home as well as her job. He tried to tell himself that it was for the best but couldn’t quite get himself to believe it. Never again would he come into work and see her bent over her desk or talking to customers on the sales floor. He would no longer come home to meals she had prepared especially for him. He wouldn’t be able to roll over and pull her close when he’d been unable to sleep and never again would he make love to Sarah and hear her call his name as she shattered for him. He was alone again and like it or not he would just have to get used to it.

  That night he sat in the living room while his parents prepared dinner. The smells in the kitchen were familiar but he couldn’t exactly say they were comforting. If anything they served to remind him yet again of what he was giving up. The television was off and he sat in silence looking around the room remembering all the times he’d spent in this room with Sarah. He already missed the way they used to fight over the remote and the way he always got distracted while fooling around on the couch. He looked up at the mantle and saw the picture of the two of them together Sarah had taken weeks ago. She’d looked so happy as she stared into the camera. He on the other hand, had been staring at her. The look on his face was so goofy and full of love he could hardly stand it.

  Stomping across the room he grabbed the frame and hurled it across the room. The glass shattered as it smashed into wall and fell to the floor. Immediately, foots steps could be heard as his parents raced down the hall towards him. But he didn’t care. He looked around the room for something else to destroy. His hand was just wrapping around the base of a lamp when he felt his father grab him from behind and hold him in place.

  “It’s alright son. You’re going to be alright. Just put the lamp down.”

  “How the hell can anything be alright? She’s gone Dad.”

  “I know Tony. Believe me I know how much it hurts but destroying the house isn’t going to change things. Just, calm down.”

  Peter carefully pealed his son’s hands off the lamp and led him over to the couch. Tony’s breathing was harsh as if he were ready to blow but he allowed his father to direct him as if he were a docile kitten.

  “Peter, why don’t you go keep an eye on the food while Tony and I have a talk?”

  The older man stood as if debating for a moment or two before finally nodding and walking out of the room. Tony would have rather been left alone but he couldn’t exactly ask his mother to leave. Instead he sat in silence hoping she would get the hint and perhaps leave on her own.

  “So, are you ever going to tell me what happened?” Celeste asked.

  He heaved an exhausted sigh. “I would rather not.”

  “Let me rephrase that. Please tell me why Sarah has bruises and you look as if your world has come to an end.”

  “Again Mom, this is personal. I really don’t want to get into it.”

  “Anthony Peter Mason, I am not asking I’m telling you. I want to know why you would just turn your back on a commitment. That’s not how I raised you.”

  That got his attention. Anger flared and he snapped. “Maybe not, but let’s face it. I’m not exactly the king of good decisions.”

  “Are you saying getting engaged to Sarah was a b
ad decision?”

  He studied his mother’s face trying to decide if she was happy or not but he couldn’t tell either way. He shook his head. “No that’s not what I’m saying. I could never regret loving Sarah. She’s everything to me.”

  “If that’s true then go apologize and make it right.”

  “Are you kidding me? You are the last person I would expect to say something like that. You may not have come right out and admitted it but we all know how you feel about Sarah. You treated her like scum and because of that I had a hard time convincing her to marry me.”

  She sighed. “I’m so sorry about that son. I was horrible to her and I have no excuse. Your father reminded me not too long ago that you have always been an excellent judge of people and I should have trusted in that. It may have taken a while for me to accept it but when I did there was no denying what I was seeing. You two were so loving and affectionate and the way you two looked at each other, a blind man could see how much you meant to one another. I may not have liked the idea when you first told us about her but the truth was still the truth. You’re good for each other.”

  He snorted at that one. “Yeah right, if I’m so good for her why is she sporting all those bruises? Did Dad tell you about my biggest round of stupidity?”

  “Are you referring to your movie career?”

  “I was in the porn business, Mom. Let’s call it what it was. I didn’t star in some cute made for TV romances. I had sex for money, raw, ugly, unromantic sex and I was paid well for it. I’m not proud of it but it’s still the truth and that’s what got Sarah hurt.”

  “I don’t understand. How could your past be responsible for a random attack in the parking lot?”

  “Because it wasn’t random.” Tony ran a frustrated hand over his face. “Way back when Dad was training me to take over the stores I hooked up with a girl named Christy Morris. I’m not sure if you remember her. She was one if the part time employees.”

  Celeste seemed to be thinking and finally nodded. “I remember her. I always thought she was such a sweet girl.”