Devil She Became (Devil's Angels Book 1)

by Autumn Raynne

  Reese put her arm around Darrell. “I am so sorry. I never heard anything about it on the news. Julia had never seemed depressed in college. She’d been such a fun girl.”

  He nodded. His jaw tightened.

  “Yeah, the fucking media got a hold of the story given my job and position in the community. ‘Prominent investor’s wife dead from apparent suicide.’ Then they also talked about the ‘autoerotic asphyxiation’ theory as well. It was very humiliating to my children and the rest of our family. Then my in-laws took my kids with them out of state so they wouldn’t have to hear terrible things about their mother.”

  “So where are your kids now?” Reese reached in her purse for a tissue.

  “Still in California. My in-laws had a place out there before any of this happened.”

  “How long have they been there? Since it happened?” Reese blotted the tears welling in the corners of her eyes.

  Darrell nodded. “Yeah. They have been going to school out there. They are doing pretty good.” Darrell pulled his phone out to show Reese photos of two very beautiful children – a boy, who appeared to be about eight, and a girl, who seemed a few years younger.

  “How often do you see them?”

  “I fly out there every couple of weeks. It’s been really hard with work and dealing with all this.” Darrell signaled to the bartender for another drink.

  “Can I get you another?” Darrell asked her.

  Reese shook her head. “No, I think I’ve had enough.”

  Darrell smiled softly. “So tell me about you. What have you been doing? Are you married?”

  Reese laughed. “Well, I was briefly married, and we lived in San Diego for about a year after graduation. It didn’t work out, and I moved back here about a year ago. I have been seeing someone.”

  “Any kids?”

  Reese shook her head no.

  “So what’s this guy like? We should get together sometime. I have been seeing someone as well. She’s amazing. Her name is Natalia and she’s been by my side through this whole nightmare.”

  Reese was puzzled. A girlfriend? So soon after his wife’s suicide? That was a bit strange. “Sounds great. But our situation is a bit complicated.” Reese grimaced crossing her arms over her breasts.

  Darrell furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”

  Reese blushed. “Well, I normally wouldn’t tell anyone this, but he’s involved elsewhere if you get my meaning.”

  Darrell sat back, shaking his head knowingly. “Ahhh, I see. No big thing. That’s the situation for a lot of guys I know. I am just surprised you would be willing to be a part of that kind of relationship.”

  Reese pulled back offended. Her face burned hot. Why the hell had she mentioned that?

  “What the hell do you mean by that?”

  Seeing her offense, Darrell backed down. “Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just you are so beautiful and smart. I remember your bikini calendars.”

  Reese laughed.

  “But that’s not all. I mean, you were very smart in school as well. I recall a paper you wrote about foster children and the politics of foster care in America. So well done. I was merely inferring that you must have dozens of eligible bachelors to choose from, so why this guy?”

  Precisely. Why this guy? Reese had wondered often. Because he was Harrison… her everything.

  Reese shrugged and shook her head. “He’s just amazing, that’s all. Our situation isn’t ideal, but if that’s the only way then so be it.” Reese finished her drink.

  Darrell cleared his throat. “So what are you guys going to do? Is divorce an option for him?”

  Reese chuckled. “Hell no. He has quite a reputation to protect, other family to consider, money.”

  Darrell smiled. “Oh, yes, one of those guys. Any kids?”

  “Yes, he has two children.”

  Darrell pondered her situation. “So does this guy want to stay married? Does he want out, but can’t?”

  “Definitely. But the only way he could get out is if she left. Unfortunately, she isn’t going anywhere.”

  Smacking her hand to her forehead, Reese realized what a mistake she had made. “I am so sorry, Darrell, that was so insensitive of me after you just lost Julia. I didn’t mean to sound uncaring.”

  Darrell waved his hand at her as he drank from his glass. “No worries. I know you didn’t mean it that way.”

  Reese glanced at her phone. “Oh, shit. I didn’t realize it was this late. I need to get home.”

  Darrell stood up. “Well, it was so nice seeing you. Let’s get together again. I mean that.”

  “Can I get your card?” she asked.

  Darrell pulled out his business card. “My cell phone is on that too. Please call and we can catch up. Bring your boyfriend. Don’t worry, I won’t say anything about him being married.”

  Reese embraced him briefly. “Great seeing you again. Yes, we can definitely have dinner sometime. I am sure Harrison would love to meet you. Obviously, our evenings out are limited, but he does happen to have a free evening next week.”

  “Great. Well, hope to see you then.”

  As Reese walked out of the bar, she slipped Darrell’s card in her purse. How tragic for his wife to commit suicide so young. Some guys have all the luck.

  Chapter 8

  “Now, please explain to me why we are going to dinner with one of your old boyfriends, Reese!” Harrison angrily buttoned his shirt.

  Reese continued fixing her hair. “He’s not an old boyfriend, Harrison, I assure you. He was a guy I was friends with in college. I was in a sorority, and we saw each other often at frat parties. That’s all. He married one of my former sorority sisters.”

  Harrison stormed into the bathroom. “Just tell me you didn’t fuck him.”

  Reese dropped her flat iron. “Of course not. I have no interest in him, nor did I ever.”

  Harrison continued to dress. “What did you say happened to his wife?”

  Reese slipped on a hot pink bra. “She committed suicide. Hung herself in their house.”

  Harrison clucked his tongue. “Tragic. How old was she?”

  Reese shrugged. “My age, twenty-eight.”

  Harrison pursed his lips thoughtfully. “Where are their kids now, did you say?”

  Reese sprayed herself with perfume. “California with their grandparents. He didn’t want them exposed to all the negative publicity of their mother’s death.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Hmm, what?”

  “Do you think he did it, Reese?” Harrison stared at her.

  Reese widened her eyes. “Of course not!” she flared. “You should have seen how upset he was! She killed herself! He wasn’t even there when she died.”

  Harrison snorted. “Sounds like a plan to me. Very convenient.”

  Reese was confused. “No, she just killed herself. That’s all.”

  Harrison helped her with her necklace clasp. “No, honey, I’m a lawyer. I see a lot of things most people don’t, and at lying, I am an expert.”

  “Oh, that’s nice to know, Harrison.” Playfully, she slapped at him.

  Harrison grinned. “He’s got a girlfriend already. I would say he didn’t mourn too fucking long. But hey, if he gets away with it, more power to him I guess. Not my business. Now, let’s go meet this murderous friend of yours.” Harrison slapped her ass.

  “Shhh! Don’t say anything like that, please,” Reese said.

  Later at dinner, Reese and Harrison met Darrell and his new girlfriend, Natalia. Natalia had long blonde hair and a very trim and fit figure. Reese liked her very much and found they had much in common. Harrison, despite himself, seemed to enjoy talking with Darrell about hockey and football, their shared passions. After dinner, Darrell invited them back to his place for drinks. However, Natalia had to work the late shift at the hospital as she was an ER nurse.

  Despite wanting to return home to make passionate love the rest of the night, Reese and Harrison agreed to g
o for a quick drink. Harrison wanted to see some of the collectible hockey items Darrell had on display at his home. Darrell had done quite well for himself as was evidenced by his lavish home on the North Shore.

  Darrell took Harrison on a tour of his hockey memorabilia collection as Reese studied photographs in Darrell’s house. Out of the dozens of pictures of his children, and several of Natalia, only one small photo of Julia remained, and it was in the corner of a hardly used study.

  Reese found this strange, but thought maybe he couldn’t stand to see her pictures anymore. Perhaps it was too painful for him.

  When they returned from their tour, they enjoyed a quick cocktail by the indoor pool.

  Driving home, Harrison remarked the evening had gone better than he had thought it would.

  “See, I have intelligent friends too,” Reese commented.

  “Of course, you do, baby.” Removing his hand from the steering wheel, he slid it up her skirt. Stroking her thigh, he felt something odd.

  “Are we missing something?” he asked, smiling at her.

  “No, sir, we are not.” Reese grabbed his hand and put it between her legs where he could feel she was completely bare. He groaned and kept rubbing her. As she got wetter, she moaned and pulled her skirt up. Seeing her all bare that way, Harrison couldn’t control himself any longer. He pulled the car off at the nearest exit and looked desperately for a secluded area. When he found a private drive, he turned the car off, grabbed her face and began kissing her. The windows began to steam up, and it became stiflingly hot. He then jumped out of the car and ran around to her side. Startled, Reese didn’t know what was happening. He yanked her out and threw her to the ground.

  “Ouch!” she said on a cry as she hit the gravel and dirt road rather roughly. Harrison’s eyes were ablaze with desire as he bent down to wrench the bra from her body, exposing her breasts. This further incensed him and he went mad. He fell upon her, smothering her with his mouth, his hands, and his body. Reese could hardly catch her breath, but she managed to undo his zipper, and he rammed himself into her repeatedly. Dirt was matted in her hair, and her back was cut from gravel, but Reese didn’t feel any of it. All she could feel was his immense shaft inside her churning, slamming in and out of her like a jackhammer. He continued to bite her neck and suck at her lips teasingly. Anyone could come along and see them as they were making love in the middle of the road. Like a wild animal, Harrison continued to grind himself into her deeper. An animalistic howl came from them both as they climaxed.

  With a saner look in his eyes, Harrison seemed to realize where he was and what he had done. He helped her up and brushed the gravel from her back. He bent to gently kiss the cuts made by the sharp gravel on her back and ass. Pulling her dress on, Reese picked up her torn bra.

  “Oh, God, did I do that? Shit, you make me wild.” Harrison grinned. Reese threw the bra back at him.

  “It’s all good, baby, it’s all good.” She smiled as she rubbed her sore back.

  As they drove off into the night, Reese felt a turning point in their relationship; a turning point in their world. Things would never be the same after tonight. She was sure of it. Only time would tell how right she was.

  Chapter 9

  As spring arrived, Reese and Harrison’s lovemaking became more frenzied, more passionate than ever. Reese was more desperate to have him to herself. Thinking of their ever-present quandary, Reese found herself confiding to her friend, Darrell, more and more.

  One night at dinner, Reese drank too much and poured her heart out to Darrell.

  “Darrell, what are we going to do? I love Harrison. He’s my everything. But I can never marry him or even have a normal relationship with him. My mother calls all the time asking when I am finally going to ‘get a man’ and I already have one that I can’t tell her about! My sister thinks I’m a lesbian because I haven’t talked about any other guys since I got divorced. It won’t change as long as I am with Harrison.” Tears spilled down her face in muddy streams from her eye makeup.

  Darrell hugged her. “Look, Reese, I have heard you cry over this for months now. I know a way out of your situation. Maybe. I don’t know if it will be something you would consider though.”

  Reese straightened up immediately. “Anything!”

  Darrell sighed and ran his hands through his thinning hair. He got up and paced a bit before getting another drink for them at the bar.

  “Here, drink this first.”

  Darrell threw back his whiskey. “Ok, this may not work for you. You and I have become close friends these past few months, but what I am going to suggest isn’t for the faint of heart.”

  Reese was puzzled. “You aren’t going to say I need to just forget Harrison and get an available guy are you?”

  Darrell remained standing and gripped the table. “No, Reese. This is serious, very serious.”

  “Here, let’s move to that table in the corner. No one needs to hear this.” Suddenly Darrell started acting very secretive, furtive, and odd. It frightened Reese.

  “What? Why?” she asked as he grabbed her hand and led her to the back.

  “What the hell is going on, Darrell?” Reese snatched her hand back.

  “Keep your voice down. This is no joke, Reese. But if you want Harrison for yourself, I can tell you how to get him.” Darrell’s face was deadly serious and stark white. His eyes appeared black in the dark light. The corners of his mouth were tucked in firmly.

  “Tell me, Darrell. You can absolutely trust me,” Reese whispered.

  Darrell’s hands shook as he removed a card from his jacket.

  “Absolute secrecy. Swear to me. You can only share this with Harrison if he swears as well. This is life and death.”

  Reese began to shake a bit. What was on that card?

  “I promise, Darrell.”

  Silently, he handed her a bright-red business card with a strange black shape on it.

  ********

  “Ava Cavatica. Who the hell is Ava Cavatica? Is that a spider? What the hell is this?” Harrison asked later that night as he stared at the card Reese had gotten from Darrell.

  Reese bit her lip.

  “Is this for real? What the fuck, Reese? You can’t be serious!” Harrison grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

  Reese had tears in her eyes from the pain of biting her lip. She just sat stone-like looking at the red card with the tiny black spider printed on it.

  Harrison continued to pace the room, running his hands through his hair. He spun on her.

  “So is Darrell admitting he killed his wife? What the fuck? This is insanity. I am a lawyer! I’m not about to kill anyone! I don’t like her, but I don’t want her dead. That’s crazy, Reese!” Harrison screamed.

  “Shhh. Keep your voice down please. I promised. No, he didn’t kill anyone.” Still in shock, Reese spoke barely above a whisper.

  “Do you want me to kill her? Seriously, Reese?”

  Reese began to cry. “No, Harrison. I don’t want to kill anyone either. He just gave me this card and told me never to tell.”

  “So did this Ava person kill his wife? Did he pay her? That’s still conspiracy!”

  Reese was shaking all over. “I am not sure. All I know is he said get in touch with Ava. That’s it. He refused to give details. I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to know.”

  “This is crazy. Throw that fucking card away. Now.”

  Silently, Reese took the card and threw it in the trashcan.

  Harrison breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t talk to Darrell anymore, Reese. I mean it. Let’s just forget about this.”

  Tension between them was thick that evening as a dark cloud hung over their heads. Both were secretly entertaining the idea of talking to this Ava person to see what, if anything, she could do to help them, but neither of them dared speak of it. Neither of them wanted to ‘give the order’ on someone else’s life. Neither of them wished to face the consequences if they were caught.

  After Harrison left that
night, Reese fished the card out of the trashcan. It was the strangest business card she had ever seen. It was bright, almost blood-red stock with a tiny black spider in raised print in the corner. The card merely read ‘Ava Cavatica’ in tiny black letters with an email address. She tucked it into her large jewelry armoire in the back of her closet for safekeeping. One never knew when having an assassin’s card might come in handy.

  Chapter 10

  The sound of her phone ringing woke her from a deep, satisfying sleep. Who the hell would be calling right now? It was the middle of the night. Oh, God, she hoped her family was okay.

  She turned her phone over. It was Harrison. What was this? He never called her at night. She didn’t know if she should answer. Maybe it was his wife, but that was impossible because Harrison kept his phone locked at all times.

  “Hello?” she asked softly.

  “Reese. It’s me. Look, something has happened. I need to see you first thing in the morning,” he whispered.

  “What is it? Are you okay?”

  “I am fine. I just want to talk to you asap.”

  “Why don’t you just come over in the morning?” Harrison usually came over before he went to work.

  “It has to do with her. I need to talk to you. Just be awake and ready by 7:00 a.m.,” he was still whispering.

  “Ok. I will.” Reese was puzzled. With that, he hung up. Wide awake, Reese shuddered. What could be wrong? Did he kill Lisa on his own, or what? No, he wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t do that. Maybe he wanted to break it off with her, or he had thought of a way to get a divorce. She couldn’t imagine what it was.

  At 7:00 a.m. sharp, Harrison pulled his Aston Martin up to her building. Reese was up and waiting for him.

  Harrison bolted through the door. His hair was disheveled, deep rings were under his eyes and he hadn’t shaved.