Our Sins

by Kimberly Blalock

  I’ve murdered two innocent people tonight. The bastard I’d been aiming for continues to breath and the innocents are dead.

  I quickly stash my gear into the bag and run to the stairs exiting the roof top.

  That night I drank until I passed out. It took an entire bottle of Jack I’d picked up from the corner store before her eyes were blurred from my thoughts. That night is what haunts my dreams.

  I take a deep breath.

  “You okay, baby?” Abby tucks herself closer. I thought she’d fallen asleep. It’s been a long fucking day.

  “I’m more than fine, angel.” My thumb circles her bare shoulder.

  “Mmm.” When we arrive and pull to the gate, her body leans to the side so that she can get a look.

  “We’re home,” I announce.

  “The house? Oh?” She’s confused.

  “You’re not the only one with a surprise.” I quickly kiss her lips.

  The driver stops, leaving my window flush with the keypad. I enter the code and the doors slide open. I catch the camera recording us as the car enters between the metal gates. It’s only one of several. I’m not taking chances with her safety.

  The driveway is lit beautifully illuminating our path as we pull in front of the house. The driver steps out to open our door allowing me to exit first then Abby. I smile and sweep her into my arms.

  “I can walk, ya know.” She giggles into my chest.

  “No need when you have a strong man to walk for you.”

  “So true.” Her thumb trails my chin.

  As we enter crossing the threshold, Abby makes several noises in surprise. “You did all this?” She gasp.

  I smile.

  “Evan this is amazing. I can’t believe you did all of this.”

  “Angel, it’s only gonna get better from here.”

  “I feel the sudden need to knock on wood or something.”

  “Well, we might need to go outside to find the wood to knock on.” I run my hand through my hair. When we built this house we did so with materials that are “green” Abby and I wanted to build an amazing home without taking from the world

  We cross the entry way and I set her down. There are candles lit throughout the room. On the fireplace, tables, faux wood floors. Everywhere. The room is glowing with beauty.

  Roses line the room like the candles. Pinks, reds, and whites. She’ll find out why later.

  “Evan, this is so amazing. Breathtaking.” She turns looking up at me. “Thank you. It’s perfect.”

  My hand smooths down her silky cheek. “Just the beginning.”

  Champagne waits for us. I pour two glasses while watching her walk around the room, taking it all in. “If you’d like to change into something else, you’ve got some things to choose from in the bedroom,” I say. There are a few different things I’d arranged to be here for her. She has all that girly stuff. Thank God Amy was in on this or poor Abby might be running around naked for the next few hours. Of course, that would completely be on purpose. I’d like nothing better than to see her in nothing other than her bare skin.

  “Really? Wow, Mr. Young, you’ve really out done yourself. I’m officially very impressed.”

  “Officially huh?”

  “Uh huh.” She reaches for the glass I out stretch to her. “Oh, I think I’ll take some water.”

  “Sure. To the rest of our lives together.” I smile

  “I’ve got a toast too. But…” She looks around and then to her dress. “I need to change and we should… Sit.”

  “Okay, would you like some help?”

  “If you help me we may never get to that toast.” She lifts to her toes puckering those sweet, juicy lips in my direction.

  “Very true.” I descend on her mouth.

  She pulls the drink to her lips one more time before looking into the glass and setting it down without taking a drink. Without a word she turns on her heels in the direction of the bedroom. Leaving, I release the chafing tie and unbutton the white shirt. I finish undressing down to my briefs and grab her a glass of water. When she enters the room again, she’s breathtaking. Holy fucking shit!

  Her hair hangs in huge curls over her shoulder. White satin clinging to her breast. My mouth falls, my dick goes hard immediately. Her sexy legs glisten as she walks in my direction.

  She stills. “Do you like?” She turns showing me all of it. She slows as her back meets my eyes then turning her head to the side and trailing a hand down her bottom. Oh, that ass. Fuck!

  Her cheeks redden when she sees my very, very hard reaction. Her eyes stealing a glance down. She smiles then giggles. “I guess you like.”

  “Uh yeah… Yeah. I love.” My mouth is still gaping.

  “Can we sit?”

  “Definitely.” I grab our glasses and follow her to the sofa.

  “Comfy.” She smiles taking a deep breath. “I don’t know exactly how I planned to give you this surprise.” She pauses. Biting her bottom lip, her eyes meet mine.

  “You okay?”

  She smiles. “We’re great.” Her face lights up.

  “Good.”

  She laughs. “Toast time.” Her feet are tucked under her cute butt and she sits erect next to me holding her glass of water. “Evan Young. You… Are amazing. I’m the luckiest girl in the world. This morning I woke up and realized I hadn’t had a visitor for a while.”

  “Who?” I ask.

  “Her name is Flo.” I don’t know Flo. She gages my reaction. Her head tilts and her eyes get this twinkle when she does this. “Okay. I’ll just say it. Evan, we are having a baby.”

  The sound still in my ears. Everything blurs in my vision and my heart flutters like a bird is in my chest. “Huh?” I don’t think I’ve heard her correctly.

  She nods. “Yes. We’re having a baby. Baby in the belly.” She leans back against the couch, rubbing her stomach. My hands go to her belly immediately.

  “Baby? Seriously? Baby?” Fucking thrilled!

  “Uh huh.” She nods in slow-motion.

  “Seriously?”

  “Are you happy?”

  “I’m… I’m so happy.” Deliriously fucking happy. “Wait. When did you find out? We just had this conversation.”

  “This morning.” She pauses. “Evan, I drank last night. Do you think I hurt her?” She’s looking at me for reassurance. I will always give that to her.

  “No, angel. I’m sure everything’s okay. But we will go to the doctor and double check. It’ll be great I promise.” I don’t actually know the answer, but she doesn’t drink often and she didn’t know. I’d imagine a lot of people drink before they know they're pregnant.

  “Really? Because I don’t want to mess this up.”

  “No. You won’t. I’ll be here for you every second of this pregnancy. You’ll have anything you could possibly need and want. Ice cream at one-pickles at three. I’ll stock up on all of that stuff.” I kiss her hard and deep into her mouth.

  Tonight I’ll make love to her like it’s the first time. Like my life depends on it.

  My fingers slip through her hair holding on for my life. Her hands are on my face in seconds. The satin is nice, but I need to touch her skin. Caress it, kiss it, and love it forever.

  My hands smooth over the satin searching for the edge. Her mouth is hot and minty. Our tongues find each other. Dancing and tasting. We’re having a baby. This woman is giving me a child. I’m blown away.

  “Your surprise is so much better than mine.” I smile into our kiss.

  I locate the edge of her gown. Leaning back away from her mouth I take her in. All of her. She’s glowing. I know that sounds ridiculous, but she is.

  Our bodies come together, ready for our forever. Her breasts press against my chest as she leans onto my lap. I’ve made love to Abby. But not like this. This is different. We’re different. Love has a way of changing things.

  Five years ago she wouldn’t have loved me. I was broken. I feel the glue from her kisses. It surrounds my wounds as the tear
s fall from her cheeks onto mine. I was born to love her, and she was born to love me. I have no doubt in my mind about that. How could I? I can’t and I never will. Ever.

  She raises up against me her arms around my neck. My dick searches for her. It’s ready to be inside the warmth that only she’s able to provide. Never anyone else has been this special place for me. She’s perfect. My one true love.

  My hands slide to her ass taking a handful of her beauty into my possession. As she comes down, she reaches to position herself over me leading my dick inside of her opening.

  Fuck!

  Bliss!

  My mother fucking oblivion.

  “Abby.” A warm kiss covers my ear causing a smile to shine bright on my face that’s buried into the pillow.

  “Yes?” I murmur. There’s no response. I turn from my pillow. The man that stands before me is covered in blood. My body doesn’t move. I’m frozen beneath the blanket. But I find strength to do a quick check making sure that the blood isn’t from me. It’s not, thank God.

  “Let me wash up and we’ll get you out of here.” A wicked smile forms as he brings his hand to his chest rolling his sleeve up his arm. A scream erupts, I’m sure that someone can hear me. And then I realize the scream is silent, only erupting in my head. My body’s numb leaving me to feel absolutely nothing, not even the warmth from the blanket I once had.

  “What do you want?” I release in one breath.

  “You.” His eyes are so dark and become even darker as he approaches me. Black is all I see. No sclera, just darkness. His hands land on my skin and they’re so cold, ice cold, and they shake me from the paralyzed state giving me strength to scream again. Only this time I can’t find my voice, not even in my head.

  The blood’s everywhere, coating his skin and clothes. “I’m never letting you go.” His grip becomes tighter as he begins to slip from the bloody residue. “He never deserved you.” When I realize in the seconds he’s spoken that he’s talking about Evan my heart stops, drops, and suffocates.

  “Whose blood is that?” I nod my head gesturing to the once white dress shirt. My hand grips protectively for the satin at my belly. His eyes wrinkle together for a second like maybe he doesn’t know the answer. “Abby, I said we’re going to get out of here. Why are you worried about this?” He’s annoyed and doesn’t even acknowledge the fucking blood.

  “Hollister?” I’ve known Hollister for a long time, he’s taken care of me and saved my life after the accident. He asked me out several times, but I had no idea he was an unstable lunatic. I had no fucking idea. My heart’s pounding in a steady rhythm against my chest. I can feel the adrenalin kick into overdrive, but what do I do? There’s nowhere for me to run. His eyes are covering mine.

  “Baby, I’ll get you out of here and we can …” He stops mid-sentence. My breathing stops when I hear a knock on the hotel door. I haven’t even begun to understand what Hollister’s doing here and not to mention whose blood’s all over him. The thought that its Evan’s blood is beating the hell out of the doors of my mind, but I’m not opening those doors. Fuck. Those. Doors. He places his finger to his lips signaling for my silence licking them after with his tongue retrieving the blood left behind. His eyes remain dark and his movements are slow, calculated, and impatient, completely unlike Hollister. He’s normally very smooth and refined, always together. The knocking on the door stops and I silently beg them to come back.

  “Hollister, what’re you doing here?” I ask blowing out a breath attempting to steady my heart rate.

  “I’m going to take a shower, won’t you join me?” Is he even in his body right now? I’m not a psychiatrist, but I’d say he’s lost is fucking mind.

  Nausea begins its daily ritual and I know I’m going to vomit. I quickly cover my mouth and jolt off of the bed making a dead run for the bathroom. Hollister doesn’t acknowledge my sudden exchange with the toilet and instead prepares the shower.

  My hands grip the toilet as I vomit over and over. My stomach spasms uncontrollably leaving me a prisoner in every way. My heart’s pounding and sweat’s rolling from my face. I know that I have to get it together. I need to get away from Hollister because I don’t know where his head is at right now. Clearly, it’s not in a good place considering he’s licked blood from his hand. Blood that I don’t think is his, and no one in their right mind does that anyway.

  “You ready?” He smiles as my head sets on the cold toilet seat. He’s calm and I see this as my opportunity.

  I raise my head reaching his eyes. A smile breaks onto my lips. “Do you mind if I pass, I’m going to get ready for us to go?” I lie.

  “Abby, I can’t let you leave me.” He shakes his head suddenly yanking me to a standing position against his bloody body. The steam from the shower fogs the bathroom making it difficult to breathe.

  My babies are depending on me to be strong. Until this moment I hadn’t really felt I should be in fear of mine and my girls’ lives. I’ve known this man to be the reason I’m a miracle. He saved me and now he’s gone absolutely crazy. I need to know what’s happened to Evan and whose blood this is. Did he hurt someone? Brent! I’m not for a second going to believe its Evan’s blood he’s wearing. It has to be Brent’s blood. He’d be here protecting me. I’m certain that Evan left him here when I’d heard him sneak out this morning. Poor Brent. What have you done?

  My eyes close tight and my life is trying to flash in front of me, but its only Evan’s face I see. It’s me and him until oblivion. Until oblivion. Until oblivion. I chant silently in the secret confines of my mind. My hand is holding the small baby bump protectively. Now I know this is real, not a dream. We’re in danger, and I must find a way out of this with my baby girls safe.

  My head falls in thought, realizing that I must now put on a show. I raise it slowly bringing a smile to my lips. I will do what I have to do. I will say what needs to be said. But never mistake my obedience for weakness. “I’m not leaving you.” My hand covers my mouth. Oh God what have I just said.

  His demeanor changes; his body shifts to the side leaving me to see the water falling behind him. “I knew you’d want me eventually, I knew you’d come around. Evan isn’t what everyone thinks.” He rambles. “What he’s done...”

  What he’s saying has my curiosity on high alert. I need to know what’s going on in his mind, but how? “What has he done?” The words jump before I can stop them. He pulls my hand from my belly. He’s not even acknowledged the babies in this sick quest.

  “We’ll discuss that once I have you and our girls far from here.” They’ll never be his.

  I know that everything I say at this point could bring harm to them so I watch what I say. Leaving nothing to be regretted. “Where are we going?” I ask. It’s the most neutral question I can ask.

  Hollister smiles, releasing me from his tight hold and skims the satin gown I’m wearing. “Prove your mine.” He trails his tongue over his blood spattered lip. “Loyalty.” His head tilts. My beating heart races, panic trembling through my veins. No, I want to kill him. I want to stab him in the heart and stir it like a fucking stew.

  I trusted this man, I shared things about my life. He’s eaten dinner at my parents table. He’s seen me at my most venerable. I trusted him and now I have to either give my body to him or face other unimaginable possibilities. My girls deserve everything imaginable for the best future. “Hollister, you should clean up. We have to hurry if we want to get out of here,” I answer, hoping to God this is enough.

  His head follows my internal thoughts with a nod. “Yeah, Evan will try to stop us.” Those six words revive everything inside of me. He’s okay. He’s okay. But now I’m certain that it’s Brent’s blood that he’s wearing and sadness fills my heart.

  Adrenaline halts leaving me breathless. I can do this. Evan’s okay and I can do this. He’ll find me. I know he will. He’ll always find me. The next thirty minutes are the last thirty minutes I’ll be in this hotel room. I have to find every way to leave Evan cl
ues.

  Hollister grips the hem of my gown over my head leaving me naked and my belly exposed, I guard my girls protectively with my arms. “Hollister, I’m not ready for this.” I can’t do this, but right now I need to play his game.

  His hand jerks to the side slamming into the glass shower door leaving a smeared, bloody hand print on the glass. Suddenly I realize how to leave a clue. “Damn it, Abigale,” he growls.

  My body jumps from his vicious tone. “Give me time.” I beg. I need time to escape your psycho ass. I’m scared, but I have no doubt that Evan will save us. I know he’d walk through hell to find me and our girls. I have no doubt. I’ll just need to keep us safe until we are reunited again.

  My eyes close tight when he forces me across the shower threshold. I don’t want him to touch me. I cry dropping my head to focus on the stone shower floor holding my stare on the blood circling the drain. I look up seeing his face. I don’t want to see this man naked. I don’t want to see him at all. His eyes are hard on mine. He’s quickly washing himself leaving no blood behind.

  “I’m not going to force you to fuck me if that’s what you’re thinking.” His body turns as the water rushes down his face. I could run, I could hit him or something. But I can’t. I have to focus on keeping the babies safe. Falling in the shower or being hit in retaliation isn’t going to be good for them. “But-” He moves across the two feet that separates us grabbing my wet body. “A kiss.” His mouth takes mine. His tongue never enters my mouth leaving the kiss soft, lasting only a minute. A minute of my life I will never get back. A minute that feels like I’m burning in Hell. He pulls away leaning his head back.

  “What did Evan do to you, Hollister?”

  “He killed my father.”

  Abby was sleeping in the hotel so peacefully this morning I couldn’t wake her up. I did, however, need to go. The new house is almost ready and I had to review and approve some of the details. I picked up a dozen white roses for Abby and two pink roses for our baby girls on my way to the hotel. I’ve only been away for a few hours and yet I miss her like it’s been days. I want to rub her sweet belly.