Slice (The Elledge Family #1)

by L Johnson

  “Oh, I'm thinking about it...” McMillan closed his book. “When I have you behind bars... I'm gonna write a shit ton. I want your name disgraced and everything you love to dwindle to nothing.”

  “I wish you the best of luck.”

  “I'm watching you, motherfucker.” His tight grin infuriated me.

  “Well, enjoy the show bitch.”

  He stared at me. “You don't scare me Lucas. And you don't know who I am… but I will gladly fill you in. I am your demise… remember that.” His card fell on the table and he slid the glass cup of water to the floor, shattering it to pieces. “You should get your staff to clean up the place while it's still standing.”

  “Fuck you,” I said with a grin. “The next time you come at me… I'll need notice through my lawyer and if you talk to Cypress again...” The words fell. I wanted to see him fucking dead. “Well... you seem to have a great imagination… use it and make it colorful.”

  “You'll need one the next time we speak Lucas. I plan to make sure you stare at white walls until they push that medicine through your veins.” He nodded.

  “What's up?” Mark said. “Detective McMillan, come for the steak or do you just want to continue to threaten my client with the death penalty again?”

  “No, sir, it wasn’t a threat. Just a direct promise.” McMillan gritted his teeth, “I think you are just as fucked up as him Mark.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Mark laughed. “Are you done here?”

  “Not even close,” McMillan mumbled as he walked towards the exit. “Watch your fucking steps Lucas. You know I will be. And Merry Christmas.” He waved over his shoulder as he made an exit.

  Fucking bastard.

  “Cypress is back?” Mark questioned.

  “We are leaving tomorrow for her mum's house.”

  “Stay out of town for some weeks. Take her to the cabin, hunt and all that shit.” He whispered. “I'll bring Shia there we can just stay out of the light for a while. I think he will be relentless.”

  “You're still with her?” I blocked everything else he had said.

  “She has great sex,” Mark laughed. “See you in two weeks.”

  My father was a bastard, but my mum loved him with her dying breath and he loved her with his… I made sure of it. He was secretive about everything in his life and he had a tendency to put his hands on my mother. No one was allowed to hurt her, she was already in so much pain. So I handled it when she passed. I would never have killed him, but he prompted the chance and I took it.

  The ride in the elevator seemed like it lasted forever. I don't know what Cypress would want to hear. I could care less. I needed something right now... anyone would do.

  The doors opened and I stepped in throwing my shirt to the ground. “You showered?” I asked.

  “Yeah, the all day trip threw me off.” She paused. “Your brother stopped by and dropped some box off in your bedroom.”

  “Perfect,” I sighed, relieved. “I'll shower and we can go to bed.”

  “What did that Agent want?”

  “Well, he seems to think that I killed your ex.” There was no use in hiding the truth from her. “I didn't even know the bastard.”

  “Stop being mean.”

  “He fucking raped you. And you sit here and defend him. Fuck him. Dead or not I feel no remorse for a rapist Cy.”

  “Where'd you go that night?”

  “What the fuck do you want me to say? Is it against the law to get some air? Are you going to interrogate me like that fucking cop? I can just call him back up here and let you both just enjoy yourselves?”

  “He wasn’t just a cop Lucas. He was an FBI Agent? I want you to tell me where the fuck you went Lucas!” Her voice echoed through the entire loft.

  “Who in the fuck are you yelling at, Cypress?” My voice was louder than I expected but she had crossed a line. She should never question me.

  “I'm leaving.” Her feet hit the cold floor of the apartment and lead her to the counter where she picked up her cell phone. “I'll take a bus home or call Shia. But I don’t have to put up with this shit.”

  Before I could think I had caught up to her and pulled gently at her arm. “What is your problem? Why are you questioning me? I would never do anything to harm you love... never.”

  “Did you kill him?”

  “I didn't.” I turned her towards me, staring into her eyes, I knew that there was nothing there. My eyes never showed the world what was going on inside. “I wouldn't.”

  “Why would the FBI be interested in you?”

  “Why would they not? I'm foreign.”

  “I thought you were an American citizen.”

  “I have dual citizenship.”

  “Right, where did you go that night?”

  “I went walking. I was scared. I wanted your parents to like me and I have never met someone's parents so fast okay.”

  “You're lying.”

  “Yeah, you know what use your imagination since you seem to be so good at it.” I turned my back towards her and walked to the shower. “I'm showering and you can stay. It's no need for you to be out without a fucking car at night. I don't want to argue with you. Stay here.”

  Chapter Nine

  Cypress

  The fireplace crackled in my mom's living room. My father had the turkey out and apparently had tried to teach Lucas how to marinate. Everything had found a median. He was calm now. And even though I still had some doubt I was content enough to be friendly. Christmas will be tomorrow and Lucas had successfully wooed both sets of grandparents a crazy aunt and my cousin Shera. He was gold to them.

  “I'm happy you two spent the holidays with us sweetheart.” My mom smiled and her eyes were lit. “He is a good one.” She pointed to Lucas painting the base of the turkey. “Even your father has grown to like him.”

  “Good,” I set my phone down. “We get to leave for Montana tomorrow afternoon. His brother and my neighbor are meeting us a town over.” The trip came unexpectedly. Mark and Shia were always off and on at least from what I could see. Mark was not talkative, he was borderline mute, which was the exact opposite of Shia, the party animal. I had no clue what made them a couple. I’d rather not know.

  “I hate you’re leaving on Christmas. But Denver from what I hear is a perfect place. And I know you said you wanted to travel.”

  “I know. I didn’t know too much about it until earlier this week. Lucas is good at surprises.” “That's great.” My mom peeled back the snap peas and continued to watch some Hallmark movie as usual. She was addicted to the cheesiest movies, but we watched them every year. But it made the holidays the holidays. The sound of the bells and flutes in every song reminded me of my childhood.

  “Cypress, I was about to go ahead and turn in for the night. You want to come with?” His accent wooed my mother with every syllable, but not me. I had grown annoyed at the seductive accent at the moment. Lucas and I had three major fights and they had all been about this lie. Why would he lie? He had been gone more than ten minutes. I waited for him over an hour that night and I had foolishly backed his story up in front of that agent. I wanted to know the truth, but there was no chance in hell he was giving it to me.

  “I’m going to talk to mom for a minute and then I’ll be in there.”

  “Alright, Goodnight Nathan and Terry. The lesson in culinary arts was quite delightful.”

  “I enjoyed teaching you.” My dad chuckled and placed the turkey in the oven.

  Lucas disappeared around the corner and pulled the cover over me. “So everyone will be here tomorrow? I’m surprised that we’re not going to grandma’s house.”

  “She wanted to get out of the house this year, but you know she can’t travel far.” My mom watched me and then laughed. “It’s good to know that I’m not the only one who gets the cold shoulder when you are mad.”

  “Excuse me?” I sipped my hot chocolate.

  “You heard me girl.” She tossed more peas into the bowl. “What did he do? Why are
you mad at him?”

  “Mom, he is annoying sometimes.”

  “So is your father, but those are things that you get over. It’s easy to tell that you are mad at him.” She turned her head to me and I saw so much of myself in her. It was scary.

  “Well, whatever it is you should just let it blow over. It’s Christmas Eve and you can’t be mad on Christmas Eve. It’s like some cardinal rule. Isn’t that right Nathan?”

  I was sure that my father had not heard any of the conversation, but he agreed with her. “Right.”

  “Men have to be molded, slowly but surely into a masterpiece. Lucas is intelligent and charming. He’s handsome and most importantly, he is in love with you. So you should just let whatever it is brewing between you two out. Tell him what you feel and be with him. He’ll get it eventually.”

  “Yeah, I guess you may be right.” I mumbled.

  “Your mom is always right.” She added.

  “Mom, I am going to turn in for the night.” I kissed her cheek and walked into the kitchen with my father. “Goodnight daddy.”

  “She has some points. Talk it over.” He pecked my cheek. “I love you baby girl.”

  “Love you too.” I pulled my plush blanket from the couch and walked to my bedroom. Not much had changed from when I had last lived here. The lights were off. I looked up and could see Lucas was standing in the corner.

  “You're still up?” I made my way over to the bed.

  “I'm sorry for being a pain in your bollocks.”

  “Are you really?”

  “I’m truly sorry. I have been the biggest dick to you and you don't deserve that okay?”

  “Alright,” my lips formed a tight line and the lights went out.

  “Can we dance?”

  “Dance?”

  The strums of the guitar started to fill the room and his hands clasped mine taking me closer to him. “I want to dance. I owe it to you to make our first ever holiday special.”

  “We had Thanksgiving,” I joked.

  “It's not really an international holiday. But that is true.”

  Lucas turned to lock the door and then faced me. I could actually almost feel then sexual tension that was built up between us. He made his way over to me and his lips traced the nape of my neck. My knees buckled as his hand pushed into my underwear. “My parents...” I whispered.

  “Will not hear us I swear to it...” He bit my lip and I fell onto the bed. He tossed my underwear to the ground. “I owe it to you... But you can't make a sound. I'll be quick and you’ll be quiet.” He flipped me over on my stomach and with one swift tug he stripped me of my panties.

  I heard the sound of his zipper and within in seconds he filled me. There was no foreplay, licking, sucking or kissing. He just went into me with punishing strokes. I purred under him, my hips writhing for more. His dick stretched me making every thrust have the sweetest pain. “Say you'll never leave me...” he whispered. There were no words coming from my mouth, just the short pants of pleasure as his thrusts began to get quicker and quicker… Cypress… say you won't fucking leave me...”

  “I'll never leave...” I gasped at the feel of my oncoming orgasm. Lucas lifted my ass up and went harder into me covering my mouth with his hand. I dived head first into pleasure. My toes tingled and my legs weakened as they fell onto the bed and he kept going into me.

  “Don't ever think about it… understood...”

  I had no clue what the hell he had done to me, but there was no way in hell that I could leave him. I was so enthralled I only wanted to see how much closer I could get. We lay there silent, his arms straddled most of my body and his heat was keeping me comfortable in chilly room.

  “He brought up my father.” The whisper filled room.

  “Your father, your real father?” My fingers twirled in his hair.

  “Yeah, he was murdered in England a few years back, close to my mum's death. That agent is fucking with me and I don't know why.”

  “Why would he bring that up?”

  “He said I'm a murderer and he plans to watch me fall. He accused me of killing my father.” His voice broke. “No, I won’t lie and say that we were close. But my father was my father you know?”

  “Why would he say that?”

  “My father was a dodgy character.”

  “How was he dodgy?” I turned to face him in the bed. I perched my elbow up.

  “I mean it was in the worst way Cypress. He led a double life and that was fine you know. I loved my father, granted, I hated him too. He was so damn secretive about everything. I didn’t know or care to know what he was doing. I just wanted to take care of my mom. I wanted to be there for her like he never was, I wanted to make sure she didn’t die alone.”

  “Wow,” I paused. “So he suspects that you killed him. What about England?”

  “Who knows? I didn't do it. My father was a piece of shit, but he didn't deserve what he got. Cattle didn't deserve what he got. Whoever the bastard was slit his throat and stabbed him in the heart… he bled out in minutes. Then they burnt the place to a bloody crisp. We couldn’t even recognize him.”

  “That's horrible.” I could feel him growing hot, so I stripped the covers from us.

  “I was left with the rest of my family. My cousin was always there for me. I have a shite load of them. Then there was my mom, when she died, I gravitated more towards my dad’s side of the family and I hate that I won’t get to see them this year. I promised I would come.”

  “Well, perhaps we can go visit her next year?”

  “Yes,” His arms encircled me and I laid my head on his chest. “Go to sleep...”

  Lucas

  My phone had not stopped ringing for the past hour. Tracy was on my last nerve with her back to back phone calls and anxious texts. I swiped the green key. “Bloody hell mum! What?”

  “Well, Merry Christmas to you too!” Tracy said. “I’ve called you about ten times Lucas Elledge.”

  “Happy Christmas Mum. What's up they are cutting the turkey over here.” I cut my eyes over at her father who had placed the feast out.

  “I wanted you to come here tomorrow before the trip. Please, I really want to see you.”

  “Mum, I can't.” I said simply. “I've already made plans this year and it’s like an hour drive.”

  “I missed you Thanksgiving this year Lucas and now Christmas. Can I have just a moment of your time before next year? I demand it. It is not a request. Let me speak to Cypress.”

  “Mum,” I tried to talk over her, but she continued to rant nonstop in my ear. “God Save the Queen talk to my mum before I kill her.” I spat through clenched teeth as I handed the phone to Cypress.

  “Hello,” Cypress said full of the holiday cheer or whatever people were filled of during this time of the year. She looked amazing. Red suited her, as did the golden eyeshadow.

  I nodded my head at her, she talked for five minutes, guaranteed her that we would stop by before next year and that she would talk to me. It infuriated me, women got whatever the fuck they wanted. She gave me the phone back. “Breathe, we'll go there tomorrow. It's not a big deal.”

  “So where are you from?” Her cousin's high pitch voice shot through the Christmas Music. Shera was actually likeable and there were several similarities shared between her and Cypress.

  “I'm from Cumbria, England.” I smiled.

  “Wow, and why are you here?” Shera added.

  “Uhm, my adopted parents live here and my mum and pa died so I came to be with family. My adopted family is here.”

  “He's the author of that book Cypress was in love with this summer.” Her Aunt Tonya, was a treat. She was young and she knew that Cypress had fallen hard. It was mutual when I wasn't seeing red.

  “I should hit you for making her cry.” another aunt said from behind me.

  “Apologies,” I laughed. “You must have missed out on the times that she made me cry.”

  Cypress pushed me playfully. “Those happen more often, huh?”
She smirked and kissed my lips.

  “Cypress have you called Bridgette? I know she is having a hard time after Phillip.”

  I peered over at the aunt, her hair in a bun and the red lipstick went horribly with her green eyeshadow and overly Christmas themed outfit. She was not my favorite so far.

  “Aunt Mae, I haven't had the chance, but I figured I would stop by there here soon.” She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “She is gonna be fine.”

  “They said that they have a suspect in custody. Some homeless man from the city over. The neighbor said that they saw him snooping around the house at about 4 in the morning.” This Aunt Mae continued to talk about the damned death and I could feel my eyes as they rolled in annoyance.

  “That's good to hear.” I sipped my tea.

  “Did you ever meet him?” Mae asked.

  “I had the pleasure once. I think it was about four months ago Cypress and I had just started dating.” I answered truthfully.

  “He was a good guy.” Aunt Mae just would not back the fuck off.

  “I honestly have to say that is your opinion. I know what happened with Cypress and him. He wasn’t a good guy he was a dick. I don’t approve of his behavior towards her and I won’t start now that he’s dead. So yeah.” I shrugged my shoulders.

  “What do you mean what he done to her?”

  “If you don’t know then it’s none of your concern.”

  “Aunt Mae, we get it.” Cypress voice was uncomfortable as she rested her hand on my shoulder and rubbed the tension out. “I would like to spend Christmas focusing on family. I hate that he died, but he is dead. I cried. I shed my tears and I would like to have a good day. So now if we could talk about something light. Let's sing some carols.”

  “It hasn't been long since you and he ended things.” She said. “You should be feeling more.”

  “Mae!” Nathan’s voice boomed from the kitchen. “That's enough.”

  Her father was a hero because Aunt Mae was close to meeting the blade.