Haunted

by Stacy-Deanne

  “Shit.” Jonathan yanked his hand out his pants, panting.

  “Well, well, well.” Shauna’s black crinkles fell over one shoulder. “Looks like you’re busy.”

  Jonathan studied her delicious curves shoved into that peach, chiffon blouse with a knot right underneath her plump breasts. “What are you doing here?” He licked his lips, wondering what type of underwear she had on.

  Shauna’s round face lit up as a calculating smile covered her thick, scarlet lips. “You seem tense.”

  Sweat drizzled from his forehead but all he could think about was how those pants cupped her ass. “Is that a new perfume?” He sniffed the nutty scent, his dick pulsating. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I’ve missed you.”

  “Really?” She sauntered to the purple and white cornflowers and picked one. “Is that why you were tugging the hose just now?” She twirled the flower’s stem in her pale hand. “Because you were thinking of me?”

  “Come over here.” He slipped off her blouse with his eyes. “Keep thinking about that dress you wore at Rena’s birthday party.”

  “What a day that was, huh?” She sniffed the flower. “Watching you squirm while Dee fawned over Winston. Bet it drove you crazy.”

  “You’re driving me crazy.” He panted, imagining her large breast filling his mouth. “Come...over...here.”

  “Back up, okay?” She threw the flower on the ground. “I came about business.”

  He tucked his bottom lip between his teeth. “Business isn’t on my mind right now. We’re alone so let’s make the most of it.”

  She looked around, tucking her strapless purse under her arm. “I’ve missed this place.”

  “And, you’ve missed me.” He rubbed his thigh, the ache in his center getting worse. “Show me how much.”

  “No.” She pranced her tall body toward him, heels sinking into the grass. “I don’t take orders from you anymore, Jonathan. I’m not a member of The Circle now, remember?” She glanced at his pecs. “So that girl’s here now?”

  “What girl?” He got his towel from beside the bench and dabbed his face.

  “That cut-up girl?” She grimaced. “She looks horrible with all those bandages. Like Frankenstein’s daughter or something.”

  “You mean Candra?” He wiped sweat from his chest. “She had nowhere to go.”

  “You’re taking in strays now?” Shauna squinted. “What are you up to? You used her for immunity so I can’t see what the hell you still need her for.”

  “I didn’t use her.”

  “Come on.” She grinned. “Using women is what you do.”

  He dropped the towel. “You didn’t seem to mind it.”

  She touched her blouse. “Sometimes I like being used.”

  “Candra’s homeless, and I felt bad for her.” He clasped his hands. “That’s it.”

  “Bullshit.” She walked toward the lavender, Mexican petunias. “You want something from her.”

  “Maybe I like her.”

  She cut her eyes to him. “You can’t seriously be thinking of making her a member of The Circle.”

  “I haven’t decided yet.” He leaned back on his elbows. “What’s it to you if I did? Why are you here?”

  “Because this is my home, and I belong here. I want to be Head Mistress again.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jonathan let out a hefty laugh. “Good one.”

  “I’m not asking, I’m telling.” Shauna patted her purse against her thigh. “If you don’t agree, then I will tell the police what you did to Dee.”

  “Go ahead.” He stopped smiling. “I already got immunity.”

  She rose her finger, long red nail pointing to the sky. “You got immunity for the kidnapping but not for everything else you’ve done.”

  “You threatening me?” He rose from the bench. “I suggest you remember who you’re talking to.”

  “Unlike these minions I’m not afraid of you because I got the upper hand. I’ll tell the police everything you’ve done. I don’t mean just concerning Dee either.”

  “You double-crossing, backstabbing bitch.” He stomped toward her. “After all I’ve done for you—”

  “Done for me?” she shouted. “You mean throwing me out on the street like a mutt? Like I didn’t matter?”

  “You poisoned Deidra. What did you expect me to do?”

  “This isn’t about your precious, Dee.” She stuck out her hip. “It’s about all my years of loyalty to The Circle and how I’m not letting you kick me out of what I deserve.”

  “You deserve nothing.” He breathed in her face. “You’re not blackmailing me.”

  “I know everything about you such as; abusing the women, illegally making and distributing medicine underground, cheating on taxes and locking women in the shed without food and water for weeks when they don’t behave...take your pick.”

  “When you joined The Circle, you vowed that you’d never tell what goes on in it.”

  “Well, you promised to always be there for me and you threw me out like a rag doll so all bets are off. Why do you expect loyalty when you don’t give it?”

  He tightened his fists, jaws clenching. “I’m not letting you play this game.”

  “Oh, Jonathan.” She patted his cheek. “You don’t have a choice. I’m coming back as Head Mistress but with special perks.”

  He rubbed the side of his neck. “Free room and board aren’t enough perks for you?”

  “I want to come and go as I please and do whatever I want.” She counted on her fingers. “I don’t follow your orders anymore. You and the minions will treat me with the upmost respect, and they are to respect me the same way they do you. I want just as much power over The Circle as you have.”

  “Being in the outside world’s made you crazy.”

  “No, I’ve come to my senses since being away from this place. I’ve learned that the only person I should be loyal to is myself.”

  “I don’t believe this.”

  “Believe it, Jonathan.” Shauna smirked, her raven eyebrow lifting. “I’m in control now.” She turned around, whipping her head in his face.

  “Is that right?” He grabbed her by the hair and tossed her face first into the grass.

  She grunted, raising on her hands.

  He leapt on her back before she could move. “You’re in control, Shauna?” He spoke into her head, the citrus smell of her hair making him harder. “Really?” He held her arms with one hand while stroking her ass. “I don’t think so.”

  “What are you doing?” she murmured, gyrating underneath him. “Get off me, Jonathan.”

  He removed her pants and satin thong. “I’m in control, Shauna.” He rubbed his crotch against her squishy buttocks. “I always will be.”

  “No.” She struggled to free her hands. “No, Jonathan!”

  He forced her wrists in the grass and pulled down his pants and jockey shorts. “You missed this, didn’t you?” Spit dribbled from his mouth.

  “Jonathan,” she squealed. “Please—”

  “Ah.” He forced himself inside her, releasing that ravenous ache he got whenever he thought of Dee. “Yes.” He grabbed the front of her neck, bending her head back as he pumped her.

  “Ow!” She stopped scuffling; her resisting turning into the acceptance that he physically outmatched her. “Jonathan.” She moved with him as if she didn’t want him to stop.

  “Yes.” She swerved her ass like a snake, giving him full access to her throbbing clit.

  “Shit.” He slipped deeper inside her, wishing she were Dee with each thrust. “Ooh.”

  “Fuck me, Jonathan.” She dug her fingers into the grass, her reddish ass jiggling from his rhythm. “Don’t stop.”

  ****

  “Grayson?” Dee came through the hall of the station as Grayson walked from the other direction. “What are you doing here?”

  “I brought Connie some flowers.”

  “I see.” She pretended to look through the folder she’d gotten from the
file room. “I don’t remember you bringing me flowers at work.”

  He scoffed. “I brought you flowers many times.”

  “Whatever.” She walked past, and he grabbed her. “Excuse me?”

  “We need to talk.”

  “I don’t see why.”

  “I do.” He ushered her into the stairwell and closed the door. “What’s your problem?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Why are you sticking your nose in my relationship with Connie?”

  She laughed. “Don’t make me gag. Please. I couldn’t care less.”

  He blocked her as she went to the door. “Doesn’t look that way.”

  “Please. You’re with Connie to stay in my life.”

  He guffawed.

  “It’s the truth. Out of all the women in Baltimore, you had to date Connie? Why?”

  “Because I like her.” His smile held a pompous flair. “Because she’s beautiful, sexy and damn good in bed.”

  Dee groaned.

  “Are you jealous? Because I thought you were over me and had this so-called great romance with Winston. Yet, you’re all in my business.”

  “I don’t want you to hurt her.”

  “Sure that’s the only reason?”

  “Don’t play me, Grayson.” She waved the folder between them. “If I’d take your ass back you’d dump Connie in a second.”

  “Nope.” He shook his head. “I’m over you, Dee. I know it, Connie knows it and you’d better accept it.”

  “You always said you’d never disregard my feelings then you do this. Grayson, there is a line you don’t cross. You have no business dating my friend and my partner.”

  “Connie isn’t your property. We like each other and we’re not gonna stop being together for you or anyone.”

  She parted her quivering lips. “Are you saying you’re in love with her?”

  “You kept saying you wanted me out of your life. I’m trying to give you your wish.”

  “Answer me. Are you in love with her?”

  He lifted his head. “Yes.”

  She examined his grave expression. “That fast?”

  He stepped toward the door and turned back around, facing her. “I’ll always care about you but my love life is no longer your business. Okay?”

  He left her there feeling stupider than ever.

  ****

  “Shit.” Dee stopped at the doorway of the lounge a few minutes later when she saw Winston eating lunch.

  She went to the vending machine and pressed the button for a granola bar.

  Winston approached and she bumped into him as she turned. “Excuse me,” she said with puckered lips.

  “Excuse me.” He put change into the machine and one of those nasty, greasy burritos he liked so much, popped out of it.

  “Ugh.” Dee sat at the table. “How can you eat those disgusting things?”

  “It’s not your business what I eat.” He stood by her table, opening the smelly tortilla. “Hm.” He bit into it and grease and cheese slid onto his lips.

  Dee slammed her eyes shut, feeling another round of nausea.

  “How can you eat granola bars all the time? Like eating wood.”

  “I had it out with Grayson so I’m not in the mood for your crap too.”

  He mumbled on his way back to his table.

  “Dee?” Detective Quintero scampered inside the lounge, his slacks twisting between his chunky thighs. “I got assigned to a murder case and it might be connected to the Keng murders so wanted to let you know.”

  “What’s going on?”

  “Last night, a man was shot to death in Little Korea. We got the call this morning.” The light-skinned Spaniard touched his forehead. “The murder was the same style as the Kengs’. This man was at home and ambushed but this time no forced entry.”

  “Interesting.” Dee bit into her bar, nodding. “But, what does this have to do with my case?”

  He bent over the table, the red undertones in his brown hair glowing under the lights. “The man was a Jehovah’s Witness and a member of the Kengs’ church.”

  “What was his name?”

  “Tommy Kim.”

  Dee froze. “We just spoke to him to see if he knew anything about the Kengs’ murder.”

  Quintero leaned up, putting his hands in his pockets. “Well, now he’s dead.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “What are you doing?” Jonathan stormed inside what used to be Dee’s room and snatched the bed sheets from Emma’s shaking hands. “Who told you to take these sheets off the bed?”

  “I’m sorry, but they haven’t been washed since Dee left.”

  “That’s because I don’t want them washed. Don’t touch anything in this room. Do you hear me? Nothing!”

  “Yes.” She touched her cheek, quivering.

  “These sheets...” He sniffed them. “Her smell is all I have left of Deidra. I catch you in here again you’re getting a week in the shed.”

  “Y...yes, Jonathan.”

  “Get out!”

  Emma stumbled out the room as Tran came entered.

  “Something wrong?” Tran asked.

  “She took off the sheets.” Jonathan climbed into the bed and secured the sheet on the corners. “No one is allowed to come in this room. Make sure they know it.”

  “Jonathan.”

  “You hear me?” He punched the mattress. “I don’t want anyone in here except Deidra.”

  Tran approached the bed with his arms out. “I’m worried about you.”

  Jonathan rolled over, sitting on his butt. “I’ll be fine once Deidra’s back where she belongs.” He smiled. “And, she will be.”

  “Shauna’s back for good?”

  Jonathan sneered at the comment, rubbing the sheet. “It’s time for phase two of my plan to get Deidra back.”

  “Jonathan.” Tran sat beside him in oversized, white pants. “I’m begging you to let this go.”

  “We’re not having this conversation again. Deidra is mine.” He straightened his back. “I’m going to take her to Wales and we’ll be married.”

  “What—”

  “That’s right.” Jonathan patted Tran’s back. “She will be my wife and Head Mistress. Just like she’s supposed to be.”

  “You got immunity for the kidnapping. Why can’t you just be happy about that? This woman doesn’t want you.”

  “She has no choice but to want me. My mission is to have Deidra by my side. However long it takes, I’ll show her she can’t run from fate.” He walked to the door with his hands behind his back. “Everything will be fine if I get what I want.”

  Tran held his breath. “If you don’t?”

  Jonathan glanced at him from over his shoulder. “You’ll see.”

  ****

  Dee bumped into Winston that night as she left the station lounge after getting a soda.

  A timid smile formed on his lips.

  She walked past to avoid another fight.

  “I didn’t know you were still here.” He followed her to her desk, looking as if he’d lost his puppy. “I’m heading home now.”

  Dee nodded, sitting in her chair. “Have a good night.” She opened her soda can and sipped.

  “I was working late on a case.” He cleared his throat. “You?”

  She scooted her chair to the desk. “Same.” She scrolled through the files on her computer. “Vice was kind enough to share files on the K-Town Crips. I’m researching to learn the movers and shakers of the gang.”

  He sat in Connie’s chair. “How’s it going?”

  “Just like any other case so far.”

  “I meant, with you?”

  She rested her fingers on the keyboard. “I’m not in the mood, Winston.”

  “Damn, I can’t even ask you how you’re doing without you getting mad?”

  “I’m not mad.” She concentrated on the files. “Just busy. I stayed late so I could work alone.”

  “Fine, I’ll be quiet.�
�� He smiled.

  She exhaled, glaring at him. “I’d prefer to be alone.”

  “Yeah, well I’m not leaving you here alone.”

  “Why not?”

  “Duh, maybe it’s because that psycho who kidnapped you is on the loose.” He propped his left leg on his right thigh. “It’s not safe for you to be alone with Jonathan around.”

  “This is ridiculous.” She grabbed her soda. “You’re treating me like a child.”

  “No, I’m treating you like a boyfriend who’s concerned about his girlfriend’s safety.”

  “Boyfriend, huh?”

  “Yes.” He leaned forward, touching the desk. “Unless you don’t want me to be.”

  The strawberry soda tickled her throat when she swallowed. “I never said that.”

  He smiled, his eyes suffocating her. “I miss you, honey.”

  She sighed, dropping her head.

  “I’m sorry for what I said.” He took her hand. “You’re not stupid. I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not.” His voice cracked. “Are you ever gonna break down that wall, Dee? Even after all we’ve been through, you still don’t let me in.”

  “I can’t get over how you reacted in Emory’s office. You have any idea how deserted I felt when you walked out on me?”

  He closed his eyes. “I was mad.”

  “I needed you to support me, not point fingers.”

  He scrunched his face. “You don’t get to tell me how to love you.”

  She looked at him, batting her eyes.

  “I’m sick and tired of you dictating when I can comfort you or what I should do when you’re going through something. That’s my choice, Dee. Not yours.”

  She moved her mouse across the pad. “What the hell do you want from me?”

  “Let me love you, damn it.” He stood, leaning over the desk. “Let me be there when you need me, my way. I need to know you need me. Don’t you get it?” He stood back with his mouth open. “Let me be your boyfriend and protect you sometimes. That’s all.”

  “When will you realize this isn’t about you? Yes, I want your support but I need it when you don’t agree with me too. You’re fine when everything is going your way but the minute you don’t like how things turn out, you bail. You left me in that office feeling like the loneliest person in the world.” Her bottom lip shook. “I needed you more that day than I ever have and you walked off.”