While Harrison’s parents were flying in for the wedding, Harlan thought of how much he disliked the Battens, and how he did not approve of them keeping Harrison’s children from the wedding. Although Harrison had told him he understood their logic, Harlan still didn’t like it. Seated in the private jet with his grumbling wife next to him, Harlan began pouring himself a strong glass of scotch.
Despite growing his father’s fortune into billions, Harlan wasn’t into ‘high society’. He found it all quite boring, as did Harrison. Harlan envied Harrison for marrying a girl like Reese. He had so wanted to be with a girl like her all his life. Instead, he was stuck with Rose. Now at the age of seventy-two, he was too old to consider being with anyone else, marriage wise, so he kept his ‘stable’ of girlfriends, but it wasn’t the same. Harrison could call this beautiful girl his wife, his companion, his trophy. Harrison and Reese could walk down the street with their heads held high. Harlan had always had to hide his ‘girlfriends’ and live with terrible secrets. It was no way to live. He was so happy for his son. Strange, it seemed that Lisa had died at just the right time in Harrison’s life for him to meet such a strikingly beautiful woman. It’s what was best for him and his children, Harlan thought. He was quite excited for the wedding. He couldn’t wait to see how beautiful Reese looked and how happy Harrison would be. Rose was quite sour about the wedding and was only maintaining a happy façade for the hundreds of prominent guests. As they flew to Chicago, Harlan looked over at her with disgust. She was bitching in his ear about Reese’s family and how ‘white trash’ and ‘low class’ they must be coming from the West Coast. He closed his eyes and shook his head. How I would love to shove a pillow in her face, he thought.
Chapter 49
McCallister clicked his pen at his desk. Going over his conversation with Reese, he tried to think about what it all meant. Did it matter that Reese and Darrell may have been involved? If so, why would Reese want Darrell dead? And how did that tie into Lisa Grantham’s death? Reese Vogel was the connection here, but she had a solid alibi for the time of Lisa’s and Darrell’s deaths. Reese doesn’t strike me as a killer, but they come in all varieties these days, he thought. Darrell had been brutally stabbed repeatedly. Reese was a petite woman, five-foot-four-inches, weighing about 120 pounds. It would have been quite difficult for her to overpower a muscular man like Darrell. He had been six-foot-four-inches, 220 pounds and quite muscular according to his file. He was stabbed dozens of times in the back, indicating extreme rage. What could possibly have made Reese that angry to want to kill him so viciously? McCallister shook his head. It didn’t make sense to him. Even if it did, it would be extremely difficult getting a prosecutor to consider pursuing a case against her. Still, if Reese was the connection between the two, what did it mean? Darrell had been murdered, but Lisa had died of smoke inhalation and burns according to the coroner’s report. He had Darrell’s and Lisa’s cell phone records, but nothing really indicated anything out of the ordinary. Darrell and Reese had been talking prior to his murder, but as she’d stated, they had been old friends. Even if they had been having some kind of sexual relationship, that didn’t prove anything. The whole thing left a bitter taste in his mouth. He rubbed his temples. What to do now?
Chapter 50
Reese checked into her suite at the hotel. She and her family were going to be staying there until the wedding. Harrison had taken the liberty of booking Reese into the most lavish suite the hotel had to offer. Her family would be staying nearby in another suite. As Reese entered into the beautiful suite, she admired the extensive view of the Chicago skyline. She remembered the elaborate penthouse Harrison had leased for her when they were first together. They had enjoyed a beautiful view like this many times. Reese recalled Harrison making love to her out on the terrace under the stars at that penthouse. Touching the huge diamond on her finger, she thought of how much she adored him and how excited she was to marry him finally. Looking at her phone, she realized she was about to be late for her spa appointment. Reese, her mother, sister, and sister-in-law were going to enjoy a day at the hotel spa.
Exiting her suite, she got into the elevator to go down to meet her family. As the door was closing, a young woman stuck out her hand to stop it.
“Sorry,” Reese said. “I didn’t see you there.”
The young woman shrugged. “It’s fine. No big deal.”
Reese smiled at her as the elevator descended. “What floor is the spa on? Do you know?”
“Fifteenth floor, I believe. That’s where I am going.” She continued to look at the floor numbers above the door.
“Nice. Me too. I am getting married in two days!” Reese could hardly contain her joy.
Finally, the young woman glanced at her briefly. “Great.” She resumed looking at the numbers.
Reese frowned and found this odd. Most people said congratulations or something along those lines. This girl is just rude, Reese thought.
She was a striking woman; quite tall and slender with dark-red hair tied in a ponytail. Her clothes were impeccable and quite expensive. Reese admired the red Birkin bag the woman was carrying.
“Gorgeous purse.” Reese tried smiling at her again.
“Thanks,” she said, without looking at Reese.
Something about the woman struck Reese as very strange, but before she could give it much thought, they arrived on the fifteenth floor and both stepped out. Reese’s family was waiting for her.
“Hey, baby girl!” Trisha rushed to hug her. “Are you ready for some pampering and relaxation? I’m sure living in that mansion you need it.” She laughed. Reese smiled back at her.
“Well, Harrison does keep me busy.” Reese gave them a sly smile. They roared with laughter.
Reese’s mother’s face reddened a bit with embarrassment. “Reese, we don’t need to hear the private details. You know I told you a lady never tells, Meg said.”
Reese put her arm around Meg’s shoulder. “Mom, I’m not giving any details.”
Trisha and her sister-in-law, Sue, leaned over. “Please do, Reese. We want to hear all about that gorgeous man of yours…” They all laughed.
Meg waved her hands in the air. “I’m walking away now, girls. Talk amongst yourselves.” They kept laughing as they walked toward the spa.
After their luxurious day at the spa, Reese left her family to go get ready for dinner with Harrison. They were having a private dinner on her terrace. It was the last bit of time they would spend together before the wedding. Reese had purchased a black corset trimmed with lace and garters for the occasion. With her skin glowing and her hair styled to perfection, she couldn’t wait to go upstairs and slip into it. Harrison was going to love it!
As she stepped into the elevator, a young woman was already in it. Her hair was styled beautifully and her skin was glowing as well. The dark-red hair… she realized it was the same woman from earlier.
“What floor?” she asked.
“Twenty-fifth,” Reese answered.
“Ah, the Grand Deluxe suite. I tried to book that suite when I checked in, but it was already taken. I guess that must’ve been you.”
Reese nodded. “Sorry. I’m staying here until my wedding.”
The young woman turned to her. “Why aren’t you staying in your mansion, Barbie?” she asked in a husky whisper.
Reese looked the woman in the eyes. Her blood drained to her feet. Oh, my God. It was Ava! Her penetrating eyes fixed on Reese as she moved closer to her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Reese demanded.
“Just visiting, Barbie. Surely, you have missed me.” Ava fluttered her heavily made-up eyes.
Ava hit the hold button on the elevator and walked up to Reese, cornering her. She felt like a fly pinned down by a spider. Her heart began to race, and her mouth went dry as Ava approached her.
“Please leave us alone, Ava. Go away. Our business is finished.” Reese put her hands up to protect herself.
Ava slapped her hands down
. “What the fuck are you doing, Barbie? Do you think I’m going to hurt you?”
Reese nodded weakly. She hoped that someone would be alerted by the elevator being on hold.
Ava reached her freshly manicured hand up to caress Reese’s cheek softly. Reese winced as her long sharp nails scratched her face.
“Pretty little Barbie…” she whispered softly. Her full red lips tickled Reese’s ear.
“Ava…” Reese began, trembling. She felt afraid, but deeply excited at the same time.
Ava pulled back to look Reese in the eyes. She wet her lips. “I’ve thought about you, Barbie, so many times when I’m alone… do you know what I mean?”
Reese swallowed hard. “Please, Ava, leave me alone.”
Ava ran her hand up Reese’s thigh and around to her tight, firm ass, squeezing it hard. “So firm, Barbie. Do you work out for him?”
Reese pushed her back. “Stop it, Ava, or I’ll…”
“You’ll what? Scream? Go ahead. What will you say when your family comes running to rescue you? This stunning woman is trying to rape me? Really? I don’t think you will. You don’t want anyone to know about your secret fantasies, your desires.”
“What the hell are you talking about, Ava?”
Ava shoved her against the wall, pressing her body tightly against Reese’s. Despite herself, Reese was becoming very aroused. Her panties were getting quite wet. Her nipples hardened at Ava’s touch.
“Just that you are bi… you like girls too, pretty Barbie… but you’re scared. So scared to explore, aren’t you? I can ease your curiosity, beautiful… you would love it.” Ava ran her hands lightly over Reese’s breasts. “So big, so firm, Barbie,” she said on a sigh.
Reese was damp with perspiration, and her hair was plastered to her neck. Her panties were drenched, and her heart was pounding in her chest. Her blood raced through her veins white hot. Her core pulsated lightly as Ava continued to caress her breasts through her thin top. Before she knew it, Ava’s fingers had slipped into her bra and were softly rubbing her very erect nipples.
“I have so much I could show you, Barbie.” Ava brought her lips to Reese’s huge firm breasts and began to softly lick her nipples.
Reese’s head fell back as Ava began sucking her breasts. She was dripping wet now, and she could hear Ava breathing hard.
A soft moan escaped Reese’s lips as Ava then brought her hand to her sex. Her soft hand stroked her velvety, wet lips. Reese’s heart began pounding even harder as Ava’s fingers gently parted her lips to probe her slippery clit. “Oh, Barbie… let me show you what it’s like… I know what you want, what you need… it isn’t Mr. Big Bucks lawyer.”
Suddenly, the elevator jolted. Ava stumbled backward and Reese quickly hit the hold button to release the elevator.
Ava whirled around and hit it again. The elevator came to an abrupt stop.
Ava grabbed Reese and shoved her against the wall. “Now, Barbie, I wasn’t quite done with you yet.”
Reese gave a small cry of fear. “Ava, stop.”
She reached down, grabbed Reese’s hand and put it up her skirt. “Feel that, Barbie, that’s better than a hard-on any day.” Reese felt a hot wetness and slowly started to caress Ava. Her fingers lightly touched Ava’s mound as Ava threw her head back and moaned. Suddenly, Reese slapped her hard in the face. Startled, Ava fell back. Reese jumped forward to hit the hold button, but Ava’s hand grabbed her arm. She seized her, ruthlessly gripping her arm tightly. Ava jerked her arm up high behind her back and shoved her into the corner. They slid to the floor.
“Bitch!” she cursed at her.
Reese cried, “No, you’re the bitch, Ava. Get your fucking hands off me.” They struggled for leverage. Ava ripped Reese’s top off, revealing her black satin bra; her breasts popping out of the top.
“You fucking little bitch, Barbie doll… do you think you can beat me?” Ava pinned Reese’s arms tightly above her head as she straddled her on the floor of the elevator. Reese could feel Ava’s sex soaking wet next to hers. Ava, realizing how she was positioned, began grinding slightly against Reese. Reese began to cry. Ava stopped and stared at her. “What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you crying? You wanted this.”
Reese shook her head. “No, please.”
“Then why are you so wet, Barbie, if you don’t like it?” Ava held Reese down with one hand as her other reached to stroke Reese.
“I’m… I’m…”
“You’re what? Turned on? Scared? Both? Please, Barbie. You need to grow up. Experiment. Everything isn’t so black and white. Sex isn’t just between a man and a woman.”
Reese squirmed beneath her, which was extremely erotic to Ava. She struggled to compose herself. “Ava, did you come here for us? Why the hell are you here?”
Ava smirked. “No, Barbie doll. I have another job to do if you must know. But seeing you gave me a whole other reason to want to be here.” She stared down into Reese’s big blue eyes, wide with fright and excitement. Her eyes were pleading for Ava to stop, but Ava caught a glimpse of something more – a deep desire burning inside her. Copious amounts of arousal soaked Reese’s thighs as Ava ground her body against hers. Panting with excitement, Ava’s breasts heaved, nipples poking hard against her bra. If she could only have a taste of sweet little Barbie…
Without warning, the elevator began descending. Ava spun around to look up at the numbers on the wall. With all her might, Reese threw her off. She stood up against the door and pushed the button for the twenty-fifth floor.
“Stay the fuck away from me, Ava!” she screamed, scrambling to cover her breasts with the torn remnants of her top.
Quickly, Ava ran her hands through her dark-red hair. At the twenty-fifth floor, Reese turned to run from the elevator.
Grabbing her hand, Ava hissed at her with narrowed eyes. “Bye, pretty Barbie. Don’t forget me.”
Reese jerked her hand away and ran to her suite. Slamming the door shut, she quickly locked it. Breathing heavily, her breasts rising and falling with each breath, she grabbed her phone to text Harrison.
Baby, come as quick as you can.
What’s wrong?
She’s back. Just come please.
What? Who?
You know who…
I will be there asap.
Still trembling, Reese pulled off her clothes to curl up in the huge soft bed. She pulled her knees to her chest as she shook from Ava’s touch. Her thighs were still wet as she recalled the way Ava had touched her and the things she had said. She could still hear Ava’s husky voice whispering in her ear, “I know what you want, Barbie.”
Reaching a tentative hand between her legs, she began to rub softly, still feeling Ava’s long fingernails gently probing. Suddenly, she heard a sharp knock at the door. Jumping up from the bed, she pulled a long silk robe around her.
“It’s me, baby. Open up.” It was Harrison. Hearing his voice strengthened her, and she quickly let him in.
Immediately, he pulled her into his strong arms. “Baby, are you okay? Did she see you?”
Reese slowly nodded. Pulling her onto a velvet chaise, they sat down. Harrison kissed her deeply then looked at her face.
“My God, what are those scratches?”
Reese reached her hands up to feel small scratches on her face. Recalling how Ava had ran her claws down her face when she was teasing her, she shook her head. “I’m not sure…”
“What the hell happened? Ava?”
“Ava was here,” she whispered.
“Where? How? Who scratched you?”
Still in a daze, Reese struggled to recount the story. “It was in the elevator. A girl was already there when I got on after I had my spa appointment.”
Harrison furrowed his brow. “Ava?”
Reese nodded. “She looked different. I didn’t recognize her at first. Then she spoke, and I knew it was her. She wore a dark-red wig styled differently. She… she…”
Harrison turned pale. “What did she do to yo
u, baby?” He cradled her tightly in his arms.
“She shoved me into the corner and hit the hold button.” Reese began crying softly.
“Reese, you’re okay. I’m here. That bitch is gone.”
“No, she isn’t, Harrison. She’s staying here in this hotel!” Reese grimaced at the thought.
“What do you mean? Why is she here? Is she here for us?” Harrison’s eyes burned with anger.
“No, not us. She said she has another job to do.” Reese kept trembling.
“Why did she lock you in the elevator with her? What did she do?” Harrison was furious.
“She… she… touched me.” Reese covered her face with her hands.
“Did she… rape you… what?” Harrison was rather bewildered at the possibility.
Reese shook her head. “No. I fought with her. I guess that’s how I got scratched. Then the elevator started to move and I got to my floor.” Deliberately, Reese omitted the things Ava had said to her and how aroused she had become.
Harrison nodded. He kissed the scratches on her face. “Well, now she knows where you are staying. I will have to stay here with you then.”
Reese stood up. “No, Harrison, we aren’t going to see each other right before the wedding! That was our plan. We can’t have this bitch mess up our perfect day.”
Harrison’s jaw tightened. “I won’t let her ever hurt you again, Reese. If I can’t be here, I will have someone else stay with you.”
“Like who?”
“A good friend of mine, Omar, who does some work for me occasionally.”
“I’m just so scared, Harrison. Is she really here for us? Why now? She knew about our wedding.”
“That’s not surprising, baby. It’s been all over social media. Maybe she really has another job to do. Just stay alert and I will have my guy escort you everywhere until the wedding.”
Reese pushed back her softly-curled blonde hair behind her ear. She bit her lip and nodded.
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