Stupid Cupid

by Liz Hunter, Aka Mennen, Phyllis Campbell

  She wanted to spit in his face, but refrained for now. “You deserve every terrible thing you’ve done to your brother … and more. You’re the one who needs to be locked away from the rest of the world.”

  His mouth twisted in an evil smile as he pulled her body against his, crushing her with his steel-like arms as they wrapped around her. He placed a not-so-tender kiss on her mouth and she squirmed.

  “Oh, why, why did you have to find out?” he mumbled, pulling away just enough to glare into her eyes. “You know I can’t have you running around telling everyone about my brother. Soon, the right people will start asking questions and all hell will break loose.” He paused, his jaw hardening. “And I can’t have that, can I?”

  Her blood turned to ice. Was he threatening her? She held her breath, afraid to make any movement at all.

  “I guess I could just kill my brother.” He shrugged. “It’s either you or him, and he’ll be easier to kill.” He tilted his head and gave her a look of sympathy. “Of course, if you go blabbing your mouth about what I’ve done, you may end up like Joshua.” He ran his knuckles down her cheek to her neck. “And I’d hate to think of you locked away in a mental institution for the rest of your life.”

  She shook her head. “You can’t kill Joshua. I won’t let you.”

  Where that came from, she had no clue. Terrel frightened her out of her wits, so to challenge him to his face … that was suicide.

  He widened his eyes. “You won’t let me?” he mocked. “And what are you going to do to stop me?”

  She bit her tongue. She’d said too much as it was. There was no way she could tell him about how she’d involved her father already. Why in the hell had she ditched her bodyguard? He could be here with her right now prying her ex-fiancé off her. Inwardly, she groaned. She’d dug herself in a hole now.

  “Oh, let me guess who’ll try and stop me. Dear ole Daddy?” He chuckled. “Honey-bear, there’s nothing your father can do that I can’t undo. I have connections beyond your imagination. I have half of the police force in my back pocket.”

  She cringed. “What are you going to do with me?” she asked, her voice quivering.

  He sighed. “I don’t know. I haven’t figured that out yet. But I can’t keep you here, especially today.” He yanked her arm and pulled her toward the door. “Besides, once the police realize you’re missing, this is the first place they’ll look.”

  Her heart dropped to the floor her feet where shuffling on. “Missing? I’m going to be missing?”

  “For now, until I figure out what to do with you.”

  She couldn’t let him do this to her—yet, as he pushed her out the front door to his car, she couldn’t think of how to stop him. He was bigger, stronger, and definitely, more commanding than her.

  “Get in,” he growled.

  She turned and planted her hands on her hips. “Terrel, leave me the hell alone. I’m tired of being pushed around by you.”

  He pressed her against her car, his body blocking any escape she could have. “Listen, my dear honey-bear. There’s a gun in the pocket of my suit jacket. Don’t make me get it out.”

  She bit back the sob threatening to leave her throat. What had she done? Why didn’t she listen to her father and stay away from Terrel?

  “Why … why are you carrying a gun?” she whispered.

  “I’m heading to one of my top priority meetings.” He grinned. “Now get in the car like a good girl. I would hate to be forceful out here in public.” He stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “And I’d hate to bruise your pretty face.”

  Although he’d already injured her heart, she didn’t want him bruising her face, too. She gave him a nod, as shaky as it was, and climbed in the car.

  Ten

  After she parked the car in the driveway of a house she’d never been to, Terrel pushed her out and toward the front door. Although this subdivision didn’t have the grand mansions as where Terrel lived, they were almost as ritzy.

  Who could possible live here? Weren’t all his friends wealthy and snobby like him and Lisa? She dared not ask about the occupancy—not yet.

  He reached in his pocket again and moved the bulky object against the material. “Ring the doorbell.”

  A gray-haired woman wearing a maid’s apron answered the door. She smiled at Terrel. “Hello, Mr. Montgomery.”

  Kenya threw a glare over her shoulder at him. Whoever lived here knew Terrel quite well.

  “I need to speak with Tina.”

  A woman? How interesting.

  The minute they stepped into the house, Kenya had a sinking feeling she knew who this Tina was.

  After the maid left, she whispered to him, “What are the chances we’re at Tina LaRousse’s house?”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Good guess. What gave it away?”

  She cocked her head. “How close are you and Tina?” She paused, then continued, “You can be honest with me for once. After all, we’re not getting married, and I already hate you.”

  He chuckled. “Tina and I have been lovers for quite some time.”

  She nodded. “If I would have married you, would she have continued to be your mistress?”

  “Yes, until I became bored anyway.”

  His answer was like a slap in the face. It shouldn’t bother her, but the sting of rejection was like pouring salt on an open wound. Her chest ached and she cursed her reaction. “Why didn’t you just ask her to marry you?”

  He shook his head. “Tina didn’t have the right connections.”

  “My father,” she muttered. Eli had been right.

  Tina came skipping down the stairs in a T-shirt and regular blue jeans until she noticed Kenya. The woman stopped on the steps. Automatically, her genuine smile turned fake.

  “What a pleasant surprise to have the future Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery grace my home.”

  “Tina love,” Terrell said. “No need for pleasantries. This isn’t a friendly visit.”

  The other woman’s forehead creased as she continued down the stairs. “Oh?”

  Terrel gripped Kenya’s arm and pushed her forward a couple of steps. “I need a place to hide her. She knows about Joshua.”

  Tina’s eyes widened and Kenya was sure hers did also. Tina LaRousse knew about Joshua and was actually going along with it? What was the real story to all of this?

  The other woman huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “Why here?”

  “Because I can’t keep her at my house. That’s the first place the cops will look.”

  Tina walked up and stood in front of her. Kenya wanted to claw her face, but retracted her nails. She’d save that privilege and effort for Terrel.

  “What are you going to do with her?” Tina asked.

  He glanced at Kenya, his gaze sweeping over her body in one quick motion. “I’m thinking about holding her for ransom. What do you think?”

  Kenya threw Terrel a glare. “Will you two quit acting like I’m not standing here listening to every word you’re saying?”

  Tina let out a throaty laugh. “Oh, you’re so brave, darling.” She ran her long, manicured nail over Kenya’s cheek. Kenya grimaced and pulled away. Bile rose to her throat, and she wanted to spit it at the other woman. Soon she’d get her chance, but now wasn’t the time.

  Terrel glanced at his watch. “I’ve got a meeting in a half hour. Let’s lock her in the attic.”

  Tina swiveled around so fast her fake blond hair flipped over her shoulder. She hurried up the stairs, Terrel pushing Kenya ahead of him as they followed.

  Kenya pictured the attic to be dark and musty, even littered with cobwebs, but once she entered, she realized it looked like any normal room—except with a lower ceiling. There were only a few pieces of furniture in the room; a bed against the wall with pillow and blankets, a dresser, and a single chair near the small diamond-shaped window.

  Terrel pushed her on the bed as Tina ran to take some rope out of one of the drawers. The woman brought it over to Terrel. Yanki
ng her hands in front of her, he began tying her.

  The ropes burned her wrists and she whimpered. “Not so tight.”

  He glared at her. “You’ll be fine.”

  She cocked her head. “I take it you’ve done this before. Why else would there be a rope nearby?” She glanced around the room again. “And why is the room so clean for an attic?”

  Tina laughed and jabbed Terrel in the sides with her finger. “She’s smarter than you thought, isn’t she?”

  After tying Kenya’s feet, he cupped her face and brought his mouth down hard upon hers. She struggled but he kept her head still. Thankfully, he didn’t try to stick his tongue in her mouth or she would have bitten it off.

  When he pulled away, he wore a satisfied grin. “If you’re a good girl, we won’t have to hurt you.”

  “Go to hell,” she spat.

  He laughed and Tina joined in with him. Taking Tina in his arms, he brought his face down to hers and shared a passionate kiss. Kenya’s stomach churned. He then broke away and took Tina by the hand as they walked out of the room together, shutting, and locking the door behind them.

  Just outside the door, she could still hear them talking. She stood and hopped as quietly as she could to the door, then pressed her ear against the solid oak. Terrel’s calm and steady voice came through very clear. She could also hear Tina’s raised and panic-stricken tone.

  “Terrel, you can’t leave her here,” Tina whined. “Especially tonight.”

  “It’ll be all right, Tina. Kenya is a timid woman. She won’t make a sound.”

  “I know, but with her here, I won’t be able to concentrate. Tonight is my big shipment, and I want to make sure everything is in order.”

  Kenya scrunched her forehead. Big shipment? Her fashion designs probably. But then, what did Terrel have to do with that?

  “Tina, my dear, Pett and Monroe are professionals. They’ll know how to handle things if something goes wrong,” Terrel said.

  Tina gasped. “You think something will go wrong?”

  Terrel chuckled. “No, but I’ve dealt with them many times, and I trust them completely. Kenya won’t mess things up. She’s not that kind of woman.”

  An ache grew in her chest and she wobbled back to the bed. Drug trafficking. That could be the only thing Terrel could have going down tonight. Why else would he talk about Pett and Monroe? Although she wanted to do something to ruin their plans, she couldn’t because of her present situation. If only she could get to the phone. If only she could get out of these ropes.

  She yanked her wrists against the knots, but they only pinched her skin more. She sobbed and sank to the bed. As she relaxed, her whole body shook with the nerves she’d been trying to hold in, and with it a fresh new batch of tears poured down her cheeks.

  Where was Eli when she needed him the most?

  Joshua sat in his cell and waited on his lumpy bed. As each minute passed, his heart descended lower. Kenya should have been here by now. His chest tightened. What if Terrel knew? What if Doctor Goodwin suspected he was being investigated? No, if that were the case, Joshua would have been heavily drugged and beaten. Just like all the times before.

  He growled and ran his fingers through his short hair. What if Kenya was in danger and needed him? Could he do anything about it?

  Cussing under his breath, he pushed himself off the worn mattress and paced the floor in his small room. Something was wrong. Anxiety of the unknown ran through his bones, and the chills of trepidation coursing over his body confirmed his suspicions. Since Kenya wasn’t here, she must be in danger.

  He walked to the door and banged on the thick steel designed to keep him inside. This wasn’t a mental ward—it was a prison. Through the barred window, he peered down the corridor. “Hello? Anybody there?”

  He banged again, but still no answer.

  “Damn.” He slumped his head against the cool steel, but that didn’t help in simmering his temper.

  He squeezed his eyes closed. Hold on, Kenya. I’m coming as soon as I can find a way to get out of here.

  The squeaky hinges of the entrance to the bedrooms echoed through the hall. The soft pad of nurse’s shoes overrode the beat of his heart. “Hello,” he called again, searching the narrow path.

  When the nurse stopped in front of his door, he sighed. Thank God it was Carrie—the only nurse he trusted in this hellhole. After a year of being placed in this facility, he’d made friends with the cute, young nurse. Thankfully, he still had retained his charm, because he got her to believe his innocence. Unfortunately, nobody else would. If it weren’t for Carrie, he wouldn’t have been able to do what he’d accomplished so far.

  “Hi, Joshua. You have a visitor again this evening.”

  He widened his eyes, the tightness in his chest beginning to disappear. “I do?”

  “Yes.” She unlocked the door.

  He stepped out and wanted to heave a sigh of relief but held it inside for now. “Is it my cousin, Kenya?”

  She shook her head. “No. There’s an older Hispanic woman and a middle-aged man.”

  Panic settled back in his heart. He didn’t recognize her brief description. Hurrying his steps to get to them, Carrie almost had to run beside him to catch up. When she unlocked the door going into the game room, and he noticed the man, his heart clenched. George, Kenya’s assistant and Terrel’s housekeeper, Lucinda.

  What are they doing here? Will they recognize me?

  This really wasn’t the time he wanted the truth to come out, but he didn’t have a choice in the matter. Then it struck him and he caught his breath. Kenya. Something was definitely wrong.

  Deciding not to act insane in front of the hospital faculty this time, he rushed over to Lucinda. Tears swam in her eyes and she bit her knuckles. Her gaze swept over him and little by little color left her face.

  “Ay, Díos mío,” she muttered. “Estas vivo!”

  Joshua touched her shoulder. “Yes, I’m alive.” He glanced at Kenya’s assistant. “George, what’s happened?”

  The man sucked in his breath. “You know me?”

  “Yes.”

  A sob tore from George’s throat. He covered his hand over his mouth and shook his head. Joshua didn’t have time for this. He needed answers now.

  “What’s happened to Kenya?”

  All at once, Lucinda began mumbling, some words in English some in Spanish, and George blubbered like a fool, making it almost impossible to follow the conversation either of them were having.

  He held up his hand. “Please slow down. I don’t understand.”

  Lucinda wiped her wet eyes. “It is Kenya. Mr. Montgomery has taken her.”

  For a quick second, all energy left him, and he swayed. Grabbing the back of the nearest chair for support, he breathed slow, trying to regain control. He squeezed his eyes closed and scrambled for an idea. But in the end, there was only one thing to do to save Kenya.

  He needed to escape … again.

  He looked back at Lucinda. “Do you know where he’s taken her?”

  “Sí.”

  “Will you take me there?”

  Her eyes widened. “But Señor, you are in here.”

  He fisted his hands. “Not for long.”

  George reached out and grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Wait.”

  “What?”

  “Are you … Eli?”

  Joshua nodded. “How did you know?”

  George wiped his wet eyes. “Joshua didn’t know Kenya well enough to care for her this much. Eli did.” He withdrew a silk blue handkerchief and dabbed his nose. “I can tell you really love her.”

  “I do. And I’ll do anything to protect her.” Joshua turned and hurried toward the nurse, Carrie. The closer he came, the wider her eyes opened. Before he could say anything, she held up her hands and shook her head.

  “No, Joshua,” she whispered. “I know what you’re going to ask, and the answer is no. I’ll lose my job this time. Dr. Goodwin is back from vacation and he’ll know
. I’m surprised they didn’t find out about this last time.”

  He grasped her hands. “Dr. Goodwin may not work here much longer. Kenya’s father is having the good doctor checked into. I have a feeling he’ll be staying in his own padded room for a while.”

  She bit her bottom lip and glanced around the room. “But Joshua, look at those guards over there. They will stop me—us. They are three times stronger than we are.” She shook her head. “This time it won’t work, I just know it.”

  He surveyed the room. There had to be something they could do. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head and he swung his gaze back to Carrie. “Fake a heart attack.”

  She arched a brow. “Excuse me?”

  “You heard me. Clutch your chest and fall to the floor. Pretend you’re having problems breathing.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. Do it, but give me the keys to the front door first.”

  Her hand opened and closed over the large set of silver keys, her eyebrows drawing together.

  “Carrie, you know I’m not crazy. I’ve done nothing wrong. In a few short weeks all of this will be in the open.” He touched her shoulder. “I won’t let you lose your job. Once I take over as the president of Montgomery Aisle, I’ll have control again, and I’ll be in the position to help you better.” He squeezed his hand over her shoulder. “Please believe me.”

  Slowly she brought the keys to him and dropped them in his hand. “You know I’ve never believed you were crazy.”

  He smiled. “Thanks.”

  She nodded. “Now go save the woman you love.”

  Joshua moved away and motioned his head for Lucinda and George to follow. They took slow steps toward the exit. Joshua kept his eyes on the nearest guard, praying Carrie’s little scene would work.

  Within minutes Carrie’s cry echoed through the room, then came a loud gasp for air. A strong clunk made the floor shake briefly as she fell. Just as he’d hoped, all the guards ran to her. He didn’t waste any time in hurrying to the door and slipping the key inside. George and Lucinda watched for any signs of trouble, ready to warn him, but so far, there weren’t any.