by Brenna Lyons
“But if I had?”
Eric grinned mischievously. “Let’s not be unpleasant on your wedding day. You know what I would have done.”
Joe smiled. “Yeah, I figured as much. Why did you stop her? You hate it. It scares you, too. I’ve seen you stay up all night. You did last night, didn’t you?”
Eric shook his head. “That would mean it still had power. Not over you, but over Kyla and over me. It has to be a clean break for all of us. Otherwise, it’s useless.”
Joe nodded. “I think I understand. I need to talk to Kyla. Be right back.”
Eric smiled. “That’s a need you’re allowed to have.”
Joe started down the hallway. He knew what he had to do, but he didn’t have the faintest clue what he was going to say. He stopped in the entryway to think about it.
Joe was so lost in thought he almost missed the fact that Kyla was talking to someone. The voice was female and vaguely familiar, even muffled like this. It wasn’t Liz or Josie. They were both still in the library. Joe started walking toward the kitchen.
He could hear Kyla clearly. “Don’t bet on it,” she said sarcastically.
Her rich laughter was joined by another voice, and Joe stopped short. That was Gram. He was sure of it.
He ran down the hall. Either he was cracking up, or he was hearing ghosts. Joe stopped in the doorway.
Kyla was at the sink, flanked by two shimmering forms. It wasn’t the blue light Kyla had been bathed in at the convent. It was warm and golden. Joe vaguely registered that the woman on his right was Heather, but he locked on the woman on the left. Gram smiled at him warmly and mouthed a goodbye before they faded away.
Joe looked around the room, and his heart sank as he realized they were gone. He met Kyla’s gaze. “That was Gram? Wasn’t it?”
She nodded.
“I heard her laughing, and then—” Was this what she saw every time? It was breathtaking. Joe crossed the room to his wife and took her hands. “What happened?”
Kyla’s smile widened, though tears brimmed in her eyes. “Her Ladies were kind.”
“She’s gone?” The thought made his heart sink again.
“Not really, but I won’t see them like this again.”
“Are you sad?”
“No,” she answered honestly. “I’m not. I’m very happy for them.”
Joe nodded and took her in his arms.
His attention locked onto the offensive bottle of rum on the counter. It was only half full. He broke off the embrace and stared at it intently.
Kyla followed his gaze. Joe was sure a dark look crossed behind her eyes, though her expression never changed.
He reached out and picked up the rum. Joe could see her around the rich amber edges of the bottle. He removed the lid and smelled it. Even after everything else, he had to admit that it smelled good. Not good enough to make him lose his common sense or Kyla over, but good.
Kyla swallowed slowly, but she didn’t try to stop him. Joe was struck by the similarity to the time he’d stood back while she considered making that phone call.
He couldn’t stop her. She had to decide for herself. Kyla was returning the favor. It was hard. Joe never realized how hard it was for her that day. He knew how much easier it would be if she would decide for him. As it was that other time, that wasn’t the point. He had to decide for himself.
Joe broke the silence. “That smell brings back a lot of memories,” he admitted. “I thought this would solve all my problems. A few little drinks and they all faded away for a little while.”
He met her gaze. “It was the worst time of my life...except one. When you were out for those five long hours after they gave you those drugs, I knew I’d really hit bottom. This,” he gestured at the bottle, “is a joke by comparison.” Joe upended the bottle without looking at it again and deposited it in the drain.
Joe hadn’t realized Kyla was holding her breath until she let it out in a single blast. She smiled weakly and fell into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her and laughed lightly.
“It’s harder than it looks, isn’t it? Standing there and watching the person you love doing something that has the potential to destroy her but knowing you have to, for her own sake?”
Kyla looked up at him and smiled. “Yes, it is.”
Joe bent and met her lips lightly. Neither of them saw Eric turning away from the doorway smiling. His job was done.
* * *
The party was in full swing when they returned to the library. They had decided not to do a formal reception. They’d cut the cake, have a toast, and throw the bouquet and garter. Other than that, there were no set activities.
Still, Eric couldn’t resist adding a few things to the program. He demanded two dances for the newlyweds, Chicago’s “Once in a Lifetime” and Pete Townsend’s “Let My Love Open the Door,” followed by a sing-along for the wedding party, Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places.” That choice caused a riot of laughter from everyone except Leo.
Kyla sighed. Leo was worried, but she couldn’t tell why. He watched warily while they sang and kept casting dark looks at a man either Joe or Eric had invited. All Kyla knew about the man was his name, Tony Maddingly.
* * *
The party went on all evening. People relaxed. Ties and jackets came off. Heels were flipped into the corner, and the music played endlessly. Kyla literally let her hair down, to Joe’s delight.
People started leaving late in the evening. By eleven o’clock, only their little band, Leo, and Tony were left. Kyla’s family left with a sleepy Molly on Matthew’s shoulder. Kyla watched them leave, then started back down the hall toward the library.
She changed her mind at the entryway and decided to get some fresh air on the front porch bench. Kyla could hear Leo and Tony having a heated discussion. She ducked into the shadows and listened.
“You knew one of the missings and didn’t tell me?” Leo raged. “You shouldn’t have been within a million miles of that investigation.”
Kyla bit back a groan. So, that was it.
“I’ve only met Joe a few times, and I’ve never met Kyla until today. It was a passing relationship at best.”
“One of the friends in low places was your informant?” Leo asked pointedly.
She saw Tony’s head bob up and down. “I’ve known Eric for years. He’s honest as they come. Yes, I knew he was a friend of Joe’s, but he had no reason to lie. If Kyla and Joe were in trouble, his only drive would be to keep them safe.
“I also knew if I pushed it or crossed him, he’d never tell where they were. He’d go to jail or disappear deeper than Joe and Kyla did first.”
“Did it occur to you, for even a second, that it might be a setup?”
“Of course it did. It occurred to you too, but we both know it wasn’t.”
“I know what convinced me. What proof did he give you?”
“His word,” Tony answered quietly. “That was all I needed.”
“Should I be suspicious that you found our evidence?”
“No. If I was planting something, I would arrange for someone else to find it,” Tony joked weakly. He shook his head. “Harris was our man. He’s been out of the game for a long time, and he slipped up. That wasn’t my doing.”
“What if we hadn’t found anything at Harris’s place?” Leo asked.
“The ball was in your court. I was given a message for you. I delivered it. That was all they wanted and all I would do.”
Leo nodded. “Still, it should never have happened. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know it. I had only one chance to do it right. She could have dropped off the face of the Earth. She didn’t want that, which is why she took a chance on contacting you in the first place. None of us wanted that, did we?” Tony sighed. “Are you going to turn me in?”
“For what? We know what happened, right? Just don’t ever let me catch you mixed up in something like this again. Go home. I never saw you here.”
Tony nodded.
“Thanks, Waters.” He walked to his car.
Kyla sat on the porch bench stiffly. If she didn’t move, Leo would see her when he went back inside.
She saw Leo bow his head. “I’m never going to understand, am I?” he asked the cosmos at large.
“Oh, Heather. What should I do?” Kyla knew there would be no answer this time. She had no need of a guide anymore. Heather wasn’t over Kyla’s shoulder, waiting to bail her out of another mess. Kyla knew how Leo felt, but there was too much at stake.
His voice intruded on her thoughts. “Hello, Kyla.”
Kyla looked up abruptly. Leo hadn’t moved, hadn’t turned. Still, he knew she was there. She sighed and made her way to the top of the stairs.
“Hello, Leo. What is it you’re looking for?”
He didn’t look at her. “It doesn’t fit. It never has. I’ll never understand, will I?”
“Probably not. I don’t think I will either.”
Leo laughed a harsh laugh. “There have always been things I knew you weren’t telling me. I figured you had your reasons. I think I know what those reasons are, but I never pushed it. I couldn’t if I wanted to, considering the situation.” He sighed. “I have to know what really happened, Kyla. It won’t make any difference now. It can’t make a difference.”
Kyla considered it. “If you could only ask one question, what would it be?”
Leo looked up at the stars. “Just one...”
“Just one.”
“Who destroyed the convent?” he asked in the same subdued voice.
Kyla sucked in the cool air. “Who did it? Isn’t that the sixty-four thousand dollar question?” She stepped down the stairs and pulled Leo several feet to his left. When he looked at her strangely, Kyla shrugged. “It isn’t safe.”
“What isn’t?” Leo asked warily.
Kyla concentrated on the last of the lawn lights in the circuit. She tried to keep it minimal, but it flared up like a blowtorch before settling on a cheery burn. “Damn it! I’ll never learn how to do this.” She reached out an image to Jason. He would know what to do.
The house exploded in motion, but Leo didn’t notice. He sat down heavily with his attention locked on the flames. “You? You did that?”
“I didn’t think you’d believe me if I just told you. You’d think I was protecting someone else.”
“Why?”
“You know I can’t tell you that,” Kyla said quietly.
“No. I mean, why did you show me this?” Leo asked.
“I promised you one answer. Look at it this way. How would you ever prove it?” she asked.
Leo laughed weakly. “I see your point. Is this why?” He pointed to the flames.
“Why they were afraid of me?” Kyla shook her head. “I don’t suppose I’ll ever know.”
Leo nodded silently and watched the flames.
* * *
Joe’s head snapped up, as Jason turned and ran. The steady stream of expletives was completely out of character for him.
Joe had assumed Kyla was still talking to her parents. Jason’s reaction was like ice water in his veins.
Why contact Jason instead of Joe? Joe took off after Jason, assuming he was headed for Kyla. He realized his mistake when Jason wrenched the fire extinguisher off the wall and turned back the way he came.
“Where?” Joe yelled from the kitchen doorway.
“Out front. Liz, cut the breakers. Number three or four. I don’t remember.”
Joe was already halfway down the hall again. He pushed past Eric and ran for the front door.
The scene outside stopped him cold. Leo was sitting on the ground, staring at a flaming lawn light. Kyla stood behind him with her arms crossed over her chest.
Joe dropped down the stairs and turned her by the shoulders. Kyla didn’t meet his gaze, but rather wound her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.
Joe hugged her and dropped his cheek to her hair. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
Kyla nodded into his shoulder.
Joe didn’t ask if she did it. The look on the detective’s face answered that question before it was asked.
“It will be okay,” he told her. Joe met Leo’s gaze over her head and kissed her hair. Tears filled his eyes. The ball was in Leo’s court. Joe could only wait to see what Leo would do.
The power switched off, and Leo’s face was illuminated only by the firelight. He got to his feet. “Well Joe, it was a beautiful wedding. Better get that old wiring patched, though. Spikes like that can cause a lot of trouble. You’ll have many years of happiness here, as long as it holds out.
“Tell your friends I said goodbye. It’s rare to meet good people like that.” Leo turned to go. “Oh and Joe? Tell Jason to stop standing there and put out that fire before it takes the trees.” He looked back at the couple. “I better go home to bed. I think I may have had a few too many. Funny what tricks your eyes play on you, isn’t it?” Leo nodded at Kyla. “Take good care of her Joe. She’s a fantastic woman.”
Joe smiled through the tears running down his cheeks. “I know.”
* * *
Joe didn’t ask Kyla why she did it. He accepted her assertion that it had to be that way. He laughed at the relief he felt when she pointed out that Leo could never prove what he saw, even if he wanted to.
Jason chided her for not using a fire circle. Liz hugged her and told Kyla never to give them a scare like that again.
Eric looked at her curiously. “I like you, Kyla. I’m beginning to think you’re just misunderstood.”
Kyla and Joe offered to put them up for the night. Their three friends grinned and headed for the door without a backward glance. They’d be back. This week or next, they’d all be back.
When the front door latched, Joe turned to her. Kyla could read the mischief in his eyes as he advanced on her.
“No tickling,” she warned.
“No tickling,” he agreed.
Joe lowered his head to kiss her, and Kyla relaxed into the wall behind her as Joe pressed closer to her. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom door. Kyla turned the knob and swung the door wide.
The light was already on in the room, and she sucked in her breath. Rose petals were scattered around the room. Candles were set up and ready to be lit. A beautiful silk nightgown was draped over the dresser, and the bed was turned back and waiting.
“Do you like it?” Joe asked.
“I love it.” Kyla kissed him passionately. “And, I love you. Take me to bed, Mr. Connor.”
Joe didn’t wait to be asked again. He laid her on the bed and slipped in beside her. Kyla started undoing the studs on his shirt. Joe slid his body over hers and looked down into her eyes.
His voice rumbled from deep in his chest. “Why Mrs. Connor, just what do you have in mind?”
About the Author
Brenna Lyons wears many hats, sometimes all on the same day: former president of EPIC, author of more than 95 published works, teacher, wife, mother, administrator of Silver Publishing… She’s a member of ERWA, MWW, IWOFA, Broad Universe…a total of more than 60 writing groups in all.
In the last nine years, she’s taken Spinetinglers’ Book of the Year for 2007 and three of EPIC’s eBook Awards (finaling for that prestigious award 15 times). Brenna has also finaled for the PEARL 3 times (including one HM, second to Angela Knight), CAPA twice, and once for a Dream Realm Award.
Brenna writes in 23 established worlds plus stand-alones (for 7 publishers), poetry, articles, and essays. She’s a bestseller in indie/e fantasy and horror, straight genre and cross-genres thereof. Brenna has been termed “one of the most deviant erotic minds in the publishing world…not for the weak.” (Rachelle for Fallen Angels Reviews) Milieu-heavy dark work is practically Brenna’s calling card, with or without the erotic content.
She teaches classes in everything from POV studies to advanced editing, networking to marketing.
Brenna enjoys hearing from people who read her work and can b
e reached by e-mail at [email protected]
http://www.brennalyons.com/
Other Titles by Brenna Lyons:
IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME (Silver Publishing)
All’s Fair…
DAN AIDEN FAIRIES (Mundania Press)
Fairy Dreams
KEGIN: NIGHT WARRIORS (Phaze Books)
Night Warriors
Will of the Stone
Bearing Armen
Hunter’s Moon
Veriel’s Tales I: Crossbearer Turned
Veriel’s Tales II: Losing Regana
FIRE AND ICE (Phaze Books)
Magmon’s Hunger
COUNCIL OF WORLDS: KEGIN (Phaze Books)
Conquest
The Last of Fion’s Daughters
Last Chance for Love
In Her Ladyship’s Service
Rites of Mating
Matchmaker’s Misery
COUNCIL OF WORLDS: KIELAN (Logical-Lust)
The Lady’s Lowborn Lover
Time Currents
STAR MAGES
Written in the Stars (Mundania Press)
The Master’s Lover (Phaze Books)
XXAN (LooseId)
Close Enough To Human
Mating Season
INSTINCT
Animal Instincts (Phaze Books)
“Foundling” in Coming Together: Into the Light (Coming Tohgether)
RENEGADES (Under the Moon)
Tygers
Renegade’s Run
Max Sec
URBAN GRIMM (Under the Moon)
Catch Me, If You Can
Three Wishes
The Temptation of Eve
GRELLAN WAR (Under the Moon)
With Great Power
CARSON COUSINS (LooseId)
All I Want for Christmas is You
BRIDE BALL (Phaze Books)
Bride Ball
Bride Ball II: :Poison Lies and No-Win Choices