by Debra Jupe
“No, I had to postpone the trip. I’ll probably leave in the morning.”
“What are these brown stains on the floor?” Mrs. Sunday looked down then transferred her attention to the furniture. “Whatever it is, it’s spread over the sofa too.”
“Maids day off?” She gave a lame chuckle and did a quick scan at the stains.
She didn’t notice Eric was bleeding last night until she’d got him into bed, and she especially hadn’t realized he’d dripped on the hardwood or ruined the couch. “I’ll get it cleaned.”
Mrs. Sunday pointed to the fabric. “I don’t believe that’s going to come out.”
Darla was ready to explode, unsure how to handle the situation. Yes, they were the owners. But they needed to get out of here, pronto.
“I suppose we could find another place to stay for the night.” Mrs. Sunday suggested in a vague tone. “You’ll be leaving tomorrow then?”
“I can be ready tonight if necessary.”
Mrs. Sunday gave a nod as her inspection transferred from the ruined fabric to Shane’s coat across the arm of the chair. Darla seriously needed to return his jacket.
“Tomorrow will be fine.” Mr. Sunday hardly tore his eyes away from her. Even though she had on sweat pants, she was acutely mindful her underwear was in the other room. The lines in Mr. Sunday’s forehead deepened and he finally looked in a different direction. “What’s with all of the traffic in the neighborhood?”
“Oh, we’ve had some trouble in the area.”
“Trouble?” they both exclaimed, alarmed.
Darla opened her mouth to explain the situation, but halted. The couple simultaneously flinched and spun round to stare in the direction of the bedroom. Darla became still as a statue. Her heart rate plummeted; her mind prodded her to look. She slowly turned to her room.
Eric stood in the doorway. He leaned against the frame his arms folded with an angry expression over his face. “Everything okay, luv?”
Chapter 15
Mr. Sunday stuttered an awkward apology and his wife looked appalled as they hurried toward the door. The couple exited without a glimpse behind. They didn’t mention when they’d be back or if they planned on returning later. Darla watched them leave through narrowed eyes. Once her unwelcome company disappeared, she stomped to the front door, and gave it an extra shove, then twisted the lock with added force.
She whipped around to Eric. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? I don’t need you coming in here announcing your presence—” She stopped to process her thought.
“I didn’t announce anything. I hardly spoke a word.”
“You were standing in the bedroom door half naked.” With a thumb pointed to her chest, she stated, “This was my problem, and I can take care of myself.”
“Your problem?”
“I’m being very clear, here.”
“That old guy was practically slobbering all over himself. The perv kept staring at you, looking at your tits through that thin shirt, and the woman behaved like a first class snob.”
“They own this house and are friends of my boss. They also contribute large donations to the university where I work. Do you realize the position you put me in?”
He gave a disbelieving snort.
Darla glowered at him with tightened lips.
Eric hacked a soft cough. “If they were as highbrow as they projected, then they should be more considerate of personal space. You’re allowed a private life. What goes on during your time is no one’s business. If the boss doesn’t like it, well fuck him.”
“Some people don’t take to that kind of attitude. The Sundays clearly got the wrong idea about how I live. They may tell my supervisor they’d prefer someone else living here. I could lose my home and this might cause problems between me and my boss.”
“Sorry if my conduct gets you in trouble. Bottom line, I didn’t enjoy the way those assholes treated you. That’s why I made my”—he gestured over his lack of attire—“appearance.”
Darla’s scowl deepened as she studied him. He wasn’t happy with how they acted toward her.
This admission pleased her. And he was correct. Owners or not, those people were pretentious and warped. Their shocked expression over the sight of Eric emerging from her bedroom followed by their race to the door prompted a hint of a smile. Her grin slowly spread across her face before she burst into uncontrollable giggles.
The corner of Eric’s eyes crinkled as he joined in her laughter.
“Did you see them?” She couldn’t contain her amusement.
“They hurried out of here fast. Wheeew.” Eric made a flying motion with his hand. “I’m surprised they didn’t leave skid marks on the floor to go with the blood stains.”
They shared a smiling stare. Their amusement instantly died.
“Might be another reason I made my entrance.” Eric’s voice was low and rough. He stepped to her. “I didn’t appreciate the interruption.”
Darla’s heart gave a decisive thump as her mouth watered. The morning light shined onto the arch of his muscular shoulders. His chest was adorned with a dark strip of hair that trailed across the middle and stretched over his pecs. The red-hot vision made her forget everything except what stood in front of her.
He lowered his head, demanding her full attention. “Now where were we?”
His lips hovered over hers. A slight warmness from his breath tickled her skin. He slid an arm around her waist to draw her into him. She inhaled to savor his scent, an unmistakable reminder of his maleness. She tilted back to look into his indigo eyes. They revealed hunger, sparking her yearnings to surge. Neither spoke. No words were needed. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Without thinking, she boldly pressed her mouth into his.
At first, he tensed, but his shock only lasted for a millisecond. He glided a hand around the back of her neck, his fingers intertwined into her curls to angle her head slightly. He deepened the pressure with his lips to take charge. Sexual currents sparked a tide of fiery intenseness scorching her inside and out.
Their kiss didn’t last long. The click of the lock forced them to jump apart. For the second time that morning, they had unwelcome guests. Stephanie and Blaine entered the house. Whatever they were discussing discontinued the instant they walked inside. Their surprised gazes bounced from Darla to Eric.
“Oh, you’re here.” Blaine grinned.
Eric directed his eyes upward and mumbled, “Is there anyone who doesn’t have a key to this place?”
Blaine’s smile widened. “Are we interrupting?”
“Not anymore.” Eric adjusted his boxers.
Blaine drifted closer to inspect Eric’s head. “Your bump looks better, but your disposition hasn’t improved much.” He gave Eric a quick once-over. “Nice outfit.”
Eric fixed an annoyed glance on his friend and turned away.
Stephanie pointed a forefinger toward the street. “Whose car was flying out of your drive as we were coming in?”
“Homeowners.” Darla smoothed her hair. “They got word I was leaving town and dropped in to check out their home.”
“They just stopped by?” Stephanie rolled her eyes.
Darla nodded. “They didn’t call first, so their visit was a pleasant surprise.”
“It’s like a revolving door around here today,” Eric chimed.
“Well, you might want to stay inside, regardless,” Stephanie told him. “We drove past your house. Reporters are everywhere.”
“Yeah, we found the same thing last night, which is why I’m here.”
Blaine sniggered. “I bet that’s the reason.”
Eric frowned at him and ignored his jab. “I assumed the gathering at our place is because of Finn’s death, unless someone else we know died and we’ve yet to be informed.”
“As far as I know, we’re all accounted for. Our discovery of Finn’s body is all over the news. I hear the police are looking for his brother to bring in for questioning,” Blaine warned. “He seems to h
ave vanished, which is interesting.”
“Good. When they find him they can lock him up for being a bloodsucking leech.”
“The detectives called me this morning,” Blaine told Eric. “They are satisfied with us leaving town and suggested we do it immediately. They believe we’re in some deep shit.”
“I’m not feeling the idea anymore.”
“What? Drake’s dead. Mitchell is recovering with round the clock protection guarding his hospital room. We found Finn’s body. Someone shot you and conked you on the head hard enough to knock you out and fuck up your memory. A crazy nutcase has it in for our group. We need to disappear.”
“All the more reason to stay and figure things out before we go anywhere. Besides, we have a solid notion of who is behind all of this.”
“There’s a rumor going around he’s been sighted. Here. In the area.”
“Good. We should smoke him out.”
“Yeah.” Blaine grimaced. “Let’s hang here and be sitting ducks for a murdering maniac.”
“How do you know he won’t follow us?”
“I don’t. But the police said our best bet is to vanish until they can catch the guy.”
“And what if that doesn’t happen.” Eric’s voice rose. “People get away with shit all the time. How long are we supposed to hide? They expect us to run and put our lives on hold indefinitely.”
“Protecting ourselves only makes sense. Someone might want me dead and the thought of dying doesn’t thrill me much. If you view me as a coward, then so be it, but I’m scared.”
The two had closed in on each other and stood nose to nose. Darla’s intuition told her the men were tighter than brothers. This was one of those sibling type disagreements. She doubted the altercation would come to blows. Still, someone needed to intervene so they’d cool down to discuss their options in a more reasonable manner.
“Coffee.” She squeaked the interruption. “Who needs coffee? I do. I’m going to go make some.” She didn’t wait for any replies and hurried off toward the kitchen.
“I’ll help you.” Stephanie gave the guys a worried glance before she followed.
Darla retrieved the carafe and shifted to the sink to hold it under the faucet. She stared out the window, listening to the men quarrel from the other room while she filled the pot with water.
They’d lowered their voices. She was unable to make out what they said.
Stephanie spoke in a quiet tone. “We had no idea Eric was here and we certainly didn’t mean to interrupt.” She hesitated. “He seems to have improved nicely. Has he let you in on anything?”
Darla’s mouth leveled into a straight line. “Not much.” She poured the water into the coffeemaker. “Eric claims to be an aboveboard kind of guy. Although I’m getting the vibe he’s a lot more complex than he lets on.” She placed a dry filter into the coffeemaker’s basket. “This is only a feeling, though I’m guessing he has a handle on who put a bullet in him and the rest of the band, or at least he knows who’s behind it, but he’s not talking.”
“They’re both staying tightlipped about the whole thing. Blaine hasn’t mentioned a word to me either. I even asked. He ignored me and changed the subject.”
“The only point that makes sense is what we first assumed. Their missing manager is involved.”
“I think so.” Stephanie cleared her throat. “Blaine plans to disappear for a while. He believes Eric should too.”
“A given, considering their ongoing argument.” Darla scooped grounds into the filter, then stopped. She turned to Stephanie with a frown. A slew of mental warning bells clanged loud in her head. “Did Blaine tell you where he is going?”
“I don’t think it’s been decided.” There was a long pause. “I’m considering taking a trip myself.”
Darla gave her a doubtful glance.
“To my sister’s. Remember, she lives in Great Falls, Montana.”
“I do remember. She runs a lodge, right?” Darla finished filling the machine with coffee before she flipped the switch. She rotated back to her friend, leaned a hip against the bar, her arms resting across her middle.
“Yeah, um.” Stephanie took a breath before she rushed on. “Since you’re going to Texas, there’s no reason for me to hang around here. I’ve got plenty of vacation time saved at work.”
“Plus, you’ve wanted to go visit her for a while.” Darla returned to the cabinet to take down four cups. She placed them on the center island. “Didn’t you tell me she lives in a lonely, desolate area?” She pointedly regarded her friend. “A good place to lie low if one needed to.”
Stephanie averted Darla’s obvious glare.
“The plans are made. You’re taking Blaine with you.”
She gave an uneasy nod.
“And Eric? He’s already been shot. He needs to disappear too if he agrees.”
“Yeah, Eric. Ahm. We were thinking he could go with you,” she suggested hopefully.
“You want me to take him with me. To Port Isabel. To stay at my family’s house.” She stared at Stephanie. “Are you crazy?”
Darla definitely didn’t like this idea. Yeah, she had difficulties concentrating this morning. Her mind wouldn’t quit contemplating what would’ve happened between them if there hadn’t been interruptions. But she’d deal with that. Taking him to Texas, spending the next few weeks in his constant company would be a major risk for her—a risk of her losing her heart, if it wasn’t too late already.
“What’s the problem, Dar? By the looks of things, you two are getting along well.” Stephanie’s eyes widened. “I mean very well. Besides, Blaine is the greatest guy I’ve met in a long time. I don’t want to stop seeing him, plus we get a chance to help them.”
Darla raised her brows.
“To keep them alive.” Stephanie’s expression turned anxious. “I would die if anything happened to him.”
“What if we can’t? What happens if we take them and the killer gets them anyway? Stephanie, you always do this. You don’t think. When you meet a guy, you throw yourself into the relationship headfirst without giving consequences a second thought. You’re right. Someone is trying to murder them. Someone who possibly assassinated two people, maybe a third if the drummer doesn’t live. If this person wants them dead, they won’t hesitate to get rid of whoever gets in their way. We’ll be putting ourselves and our families in danger. Your sister has a husband with two little kids. Did you think about that?”
The conversation between them stopped. The quiet hush amplified the coffeemaker’s hiss as the aroma of caffeine filled the small kitchen. Low vibrations from the voices in the other room echoed in the background. Darla hurried to the counter to reach for the pot. She removed it, walked to where she’d laid out the dishes, and poured out the liquid.
“Another thing. You’re asking me to travel sixteen hundred miles with a guy that has a bullet in his arm and a head injury. He’s okay now, but what if he takes a turn for the worse?” She replaced the carafe, picked up two of the cups, and nodded for Stephanie to carry the others. “He’s stubborn anyway, and when it comes to getting medical attention, the guy’s bullheadedness goes beyond senseless. I don’t want to get into this situation any deeper than I already am.”
“Might be a moot point, Dar. He hasn’t consented to going anywhere. This is only an option in case he agrees.”
The women walked into the other room. Eric was also returning to the room now dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt.
“We’re doing what the police suggested and leaving town. We just need to call them and let them know where we’ll be, in case they have to contact us. This seems like the only savable solution.” Blaine leaned closer to Stephanie and lowered his voice. “Did you talk to her?”
She bit her lip with a nod. “Did you talk to him?”
“He did,” Eric answered. “And I’m now inclined to agree that leaving the area might not be a bad plan. I also think the idea of us going in different directions is a sound one. If someone
is after us, they’ll travel a long way to find us both.” He eyed Darla as he took the mug from her. “I realize it’s a big imposition and possibly a dangerous one, but can I go to Texas with you?”
****
Darla had some errands to run before she left for her trip, plus she agreed to pick up Eric’s prescription medications. Still unsure if allowing Eric to accompany her to Texas was a good decision, she was glad for the opportunity to get away and think about why she consented to go along with this crazy idea.
For Stephanie, the choice was evident. She’d obviously fallen hard for Blaine and would do whatever it took to keep him safe.
Darla’s circumstances were different. Did she care about Eric enough to endanger her life if the killer followed them? The answer was a clear yes. Her family was a different story. She wouldn’t put them in harm’s way. Fortunately Eric didn’t want to gamble with their lives either, and told her he’d find other accommodations once they reached her hometown.
This solved most of her problems. The long drive remained an issue. They’d be alone the entire time. Her physical wellbeing was one thing, but was she prepared to jeopardize her heart too? This guy had her on an emotional ledge and she feared she was about to take a deep plunge. She dreaded the emotive fallout once they parted ways.
She sighed and glanced at the dash’s digital clock as she drove into her carport. She’d planned to be back much sooner and on the road, except a traffic jam kept her on the freeway longer than she’d anticipated. Now she was late. Darkness had already fallen. Perhaps it would be better to wait to leave tomorrow, then she reconsidered. She didn’t want a repeat with the Sundays in case they happened to make another appearance.
She found Eric asleep on the sofa. She’d covered the blood on the couch earlier with a blanket and arranged for some furniture cleaners to come pick it up later in the week. Eric offered to pay to have the stain removed or to buy her a new one if that wasn’t possible. She walked past him and onto the hall closet. From there, she dragged her luggage out.