Phoenix

by Jessica Wayne

  After all, she was an adult now. There was not much he could do to her, right?

  She opened her eyes, and her gaze landed on a man standing across the street from her. He wore a dark grey cloak that buttoned at the front and stared directly at her. Dark brown hair that was greying at the temples was cut short, and his mouth was slightly opened in surprise.

  There was something oddly familiar about him… a feeling deep in her gut; something she knew but was just out of reach tugged at her mind. He raised his hand and waved, and she mimicked the motion, waving back at him without a second thought.

  Dakota pulled his Jeep up to the curb, blocking her view of the man.

  “What’s up, quitter?” he joked. “Who are you waving at?” He looked out his window to the other side of the street, then back at Anastasia, his brows furrowed.

  “There was a man”—she pointed to where the man had been standing only moments ago, but he was already gone—“That’s weird. He’s gone now.”

  The smile fell from Dakota’s face. “Everything all right?”

  “What?” She climbed inside and stuffed her backpack down at her feet. “Oh yeah, no, he just waved at me.” She shrugged, unable to shake off the feeling that she’d somehow known that man.

  “I guess that’s what you get for being popular.”

  Anastasia rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay, Mr. Popularity.”

  “Psht. I’m hardly popular.”

  “Are you kidding? We can’t even go to a party at your campus without everyone stopping us to talk to you. Especially the girls,” she added, trying to hide the green-eyed monster that wanted to come out whenever it came to other women with Dakota.

  “What about you and Gage? You two seem pretty close lately.”

  Anastasia raised an eyebrow. “I’d hardly consider us close. The only time I see him is when I’m with you.”

  “Not according to him. He says you two have a… what did he call it? Oh yeah, a connection.”

  Anastasia’s lip curled. While he was hot, Gage was also painstakingly aware of it, and she’d only ever had eyes for one guy—which definitely wasn’t Gage Keesler. Because Gage was the son of Dakota’s dad’s partner on the police force, they’d known each other so long she’d been around the arrogant asshole more times than she cared to admit.

  “Whoa, one guy who is way too full of himself thinks I’m cute. That’s hardly a reason to call me popular.”

  Dakota shrugged as he turned down their old street. Anastasia swallowed hard; this entire neighborhood held some pretty shitty memories for her.

  “We’re early; wanna stop off at the park for a bit? We can swing.” He grinned.

  “How old are you?” she asked with a giggle, panic momentarily pushed aside.

  “Not too old to love swinging higher than you.”

  “You’re on.”

  3

  Anastasia

  They pulled into the parking lot of the park they’d frequented as kids. Three swings still swung on iron chains from a frame that had seen much better days. They’d removed the merry-go-round after a kid had been thrown off and broken his arm, and it had been replaced with a seesaw.

  Unfortunately, this park didn’t see a whole lot of visitors anymore since the city had opened another just one block over. But for Anastasia, it was the best place in the world.

  When they were kids, she and Dakota made plans to sneak out at least once a week and meet at the park. It was a nice break for her, a way to push aside the pain in her life. For a few hours, anyway.

  They climbed out and made their way across the dying grass and over to the swings. Anastasia took a seat, and to her surprise, Dakota stepped up behind her. His hands were warm against her back, and his touch sent chills down her spine.

  “So what happened at work today?” he asked as the chain started to creak with each movement.

  “Ugh, he called my dad.”

  “Your boss called your dad? Why?”

  “To rat me out for showing up late to my shift. A shift I hadn’t even been scheduled for, mind you.”

  “Why the hell would he call Mitch? You aren’t a kid.”

  “You’re telling me.”

  “I don’t know why you took it in the first place.”

  “I need money for rent, and most places weren’t hiring.”

  “You don’t have to pay rent, Ana. My parents told you that.”

  “I’m not going to take advantage of them, Dakota. It was nice enough of them to let me move in and pay next to nothing.”

  “You’re family.” He said it easily, and she knew it was true. The Parkers were more of a family to her than her own were. George, Dakota’s dad, was a detective with the Seattle PD, and he’d tried to get her help more than once.

  But she’d refused, citing the broken arm and busted lip as nothing more than an accident—she was clumsy and all that. The last thing she’d wanted was to bring Mitch Carter’s wrath raining down onto the people she loved. Not when he knew so many people high up the food chain. He could’ve made their lives a living hell if he’d wanted to.

  Hell, she hadn’t even told Dakota the truth until right before they’d graduated, and that was only because Mitch had beaten her so badly she’d barely been able to stand. She’d made her best friend promise not to say anything, though, and they’d moved out the next week while her father had been at work.

  A breeze sent leaves rolling across the ground, and Anastasia closed her eyes, listening to the sound of cars driving by, and the wind as it rustled through the trees.

  “So, you ready to be an old lady tomorrow?”

  Anastasia laughed. “You turned twenty-one two months ago. If I’m an old lady, so are you.”

  “So now I’m an old lady?” Dakota chuckled.

  “You know what I mean.”

  “We can sit on our front porch and yell at all the kids to stay off our lawns.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” she said with a smile, closing her eyes again.

  Minutes passed in silence, with just the feel of his hands at her back, and the breeze lifting the hair from her neck.

  “You’re so beautiful,” Dakota said softly.

  Anastasia opened her eyes. She hadn’t realized he’d stopped pushing the swing. “What?” she asked, sure she’d misheard him.

  Dakota stepped in front of her. “I said you’re beautiful.”

  The heat rushed to her cheeks, and she looked down at her feet. “Thanks, Dakota.”

  “I mean it.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to look into her eyes. “I’ve always meant it.”

  “What are you—?”

  “Just listen for a sec.” He started to pace, and Anastasia rose to her feet.

  Was this really happening? Was he seriously going to tell her he felt the same way she did? Not wanting to get her hopes up, Anastasia pushed the thoughts down and tried to just focus on the way he moved.

  “I…” He stopped and faced her, his eyes searching her gaze. “Screw it.” Dakota crossed the distance between them and cupped the back of her head. Their mouths were only a breath apart, and Anastasia didn’t dare move even an inch.

  He leaned down the rest of the way and closed the distance completely. His lips were soft against hers, the kiss a slow taste of what she’d wanted for so long. But it was no match for the fire burning in her soul.

  Dakota pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time.”

  “Me too,” she said, breathless and unable to stop the smile that spread across her face. He’d finally kissed her!

  “So, uh…” He laughed and stepped back. “What do we do now?”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “I want to see where this will go.” He gestured between them. “I want you.”

  “I want that, too.” She smiled widely. “Why now? Not that I’m complaining, just curious.”

  Dakota ran a hand through his hair. “Honestly? I had pl
anned to take you to dinner next week and ask you out. But seeing you on that swing and”—he shrugged—“I don’t know, I guess I just didn’t want to wait.”

  Anastasia bit her bottom lip.

  “Can I?” He reached for her, and Anastasia took his hand.

  She stepped closer until they were only a breadth apart, and Dakota leaned down to press his lips to hers once more. The feel of his lips on hers was unlike anything Anastasia could have ever dreamt up. The gesture was sweet, tender, and yet, it set her body on fire. There was no doubt in her heart they were meant to be together.

  There was nothing in this world that would keep them apart.

  Anastasia followed Dakota into his childhood home, her fingers interlaced with his as they made their way into the living room. She’d been in his house hundreds—possibly thousands—of times in her life, had enjoyed conversations with both his parents, and had even spent weekends with them at their family cabin. But as she made her way toward the sound of his father’s hearty laughter, and the scent of his mother’s all-but-famous meatloaf cooking in the oven, Anastasia had never been more nervous.

  How were her legs holding her up when they felt like jelly?

  “You okay?” Dakota squeezed her hand, pausing at the threshold of the kitchen. Looking up at him, her eyes landed on his lips. Lips she’d just tasted for the first time.

  She swallowed hard as her stomach clenched. “Yes.” She smiled, and they stepped out of the hall and into the living room.

  Elizabeth, Dakota’s mom, spotted them first. “Dakota! Anastasia! Oh, it’s so good to see you, honey.” She pulled Anastasia in for a hug then pushed back and looked down at their still joined hands. She smiled, her eyes widening with delight. “Well, what’s this?”

  Dakota’s dad stepped up behind Elizabeth, his grin widening as he took them in. “You finally asked the girl out?” George laughed, clapping his son on the back.

  Anastasia’s cheeks heated.

  “Way to embarrass her, Dad.” Dakota squeezed her hand.

  “No need to be embarrassed! It’s this guy who should be feeling that way. Only took him nearly twenty years to ask you out.”

  Dakota frowned. “Well, half of that I was under ten, so…”

  George snorted, narrowing his eyes. “Still counts.”

  “All right, you two, dinner’s on the table. Let’s go before it gets cold.” Elizabeth wrapped an arm around Anastasia’s shoulders and guided her to the table.

  Dakota took a seat next to her, and her stomach flipped when his hand reached for hers beneath the table.

  Growing up, her father had made it painstakingly clear that she wasn’t going to get her happy ending. She was too plain and too stupid to do much of anything worthwhile.

  It had been her mission to prove him wrong, which was why she was working so hard to get through college.

  But sitting here now, with people who might as well have been her family, Anastasia felt for the first time that maybe she didn’t have to try so hard.

  Maybe she was deserving of her dreams.

  4

  Anastasia

  Anastasia woke with a smile. For the first time in nearly three months, she’d only had pleasant dreams.

  She stretched and yawned, before getting to her feet. Dakota was her boyfriend. He’d kissed her and it had been wonderful!

  Her phone pinged, and she unplugged it to check her messages.

  Dakota: Thinking about you…

  Anastasia grinned and hugged the phone to her chest. When they’d arrived home after dinner last night, he’d pulled her in for another kiss and promised to take her to dinner tonight.

  She was going on a date! An actual real-life date.

  Anastasia: Funny, I was just thinking about you too.

  Dakota: Copycat. His response was immediate, bringing another smile to her face.

  The doorbell chimed, and Anastasia pulled a robe on over her shorts and tank top. Without checking the peephole, she pulled the door open.

  “What can I—?” The words died in her throat. Her father stood on her doorstep, his freshly polished loafers looking out of place against the worn-out welcome mat. An icy chill as cold as her father’s gaze tore down her spine; she tightened the belt of her robe and crossed her arms over her chest. “What are you doing here?”

  Mitch Carter was a lot of things to a lot of people. He was a respected Assistant District Attorney, the husband to a trophy wife, a golf buddy, and for some strange reason, some people considered him a friend.

  But to Anastasia, he was only one thing: a walking nightmare.

  He lifted his hand, and she flinched, all too aware of the pain that hand could inflict.

  “Oh, calm down, Anastasia.” He pushed past her and stepped inside, two men she didn’t recognize flanking him. “Where’s Dakota?”

  She swallowed hard as they entered her apartment. “School.” She tightened her grip on the doorknob.

  “You planning on shutting that anytime soon? I can’t imagine the Parkers want to pay a ridiculous utility bill all because you have no manners.” His voice was tight, and Anastasia closed her eyes.

  Calm down. You’re an adult now. He can’t hurt you anymore.

  After closing the door but staying near enough that she could run if she had to, Anastasia turned to face him. “Why are you here?”

  “Can’t a man visit his daughter?”

  Not you. “I wasn’t expecting you or Mother for another two days.”

  “I’m not here for a chat.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I need you to come with me.”

  “Why?”

  “Your mother wants to see you.”

  “Why didn’t she come with you?”

  “Because she’s ill.”

  “What’s wrong?” Anastasia wished she felt more empathy for the woman who’d birthed her, but only curiosity fueled her question.

  “Come with me and find out.”

  “I have things to do today.”

  “Like what?”

  “Work,” she retorted, instantly regretting the lie.

  Judging by the harsh line of his mouth, and the way his eyes narrowed on her face, Anastasia knew her father had found out that she no longer worked at the dealership.

  “Do I need to remind you how I feel about lying?” He stepped toward her.

  “I’ll call the police. You can’t hurt me anymore.”

  He laughed. “Get dressed and let’s go.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  She turned to open the door, but during their conversation, one of the large-framed men, this one wearing a black suit and sunglasses, had managed to make his way close enough that he slammed it closed again.

  Anastasia backed into the kitchen, trying to get as far away from him as she could. “Stay back.”

  “Grab her.”

  The man reached out and grabbed her arm, hauling Anastasia up against him. She managed to slip her arm out of the sleeve of her robe, and reached for her phone, but she missed it by an inch when the other man wrapped a large arm around her waist.

  “Let me go!” she screamed loudly as the man threw her over his shoulder. She kicked her legs and hit his back, trying to get free, but the man was solid.

  “Shut her up.” Her father ordered, and she felt a sharp pain on the back of her head right before her world went black.

  5

  Dakota

  Dakota stared at the screen of his phone, waiting for a response. He hadn’t wanted to leave the apartment this morning, and school was the last thing on his mind. He was finally dating Ana, and she was all he could focus on.

  His dad had been right; it had taken him a ridiculous amount of time to actually get up the courage to ask her out.

  To kiss her.

  He smiled, not caring who saw his grin in the middle of the lecture. Tomorrow, he could pay attention, but today, he wanted to think back on how she’d tasted.

&nbs
p; How she’d looked bathed in light on that swing.

  How her lips had been so soft against his.

  Dammit, he had it bad. Looking back now, he wondered just when his feelings for her had developed into something more. As far as he could remember, he had always felt this way. She was it for him, and he was going to make sure she knew that.

  Dakota: I’m excited for tonight.

  When five more minutes passed and she didn’t respond, Dakota’s stomach churned. Was she regretting the change to their friendship? Had she changed her mind?

  Dakota: You there?

  She could have been showering, or maybe her phone died, but with each passing moment, a heavy feeling of trepidation grew in his stomach. Not wanting to wait any longer, he excused himself from class and made the short walk to the parking garage to get into his Jeep.

  At every stoplight or stop sign, Dakota checked his phone, hoping to see a text from her, but by the time he made it home, she still hadn’t responded.

  Dread setting in, he pulled into his assigned spot and threw the jeep into park, then raced up the stairs. The door was unlocked and ajar, and all hope that Ana was just in the shower or busy vanished. He raced inside, freezing momentarily when he spotted her robe tossed to the floor, her cell phone on the table.

  “Ana?” he called out, running down the hall to her room. “Ana! You here?”

  After checking all the rooms and bathrooms, Dakota pulled out his phone and dialed his dad.

  Surely this wasn’t really happening. Please be okay, Ana. His dad answered on the third ring.

  “Hey, son, what’s up?”

  “Dad, it’s Ana,” he choked out.

  “What happened?” His tone went from light to business in an instant.

  “She’s gone.”