by Beth Flynn
What was going on?
She undid the chain and slid the deadbolt open. She opened the door and noticed the look of relief on his face.
“Thank you. Can I come in?” A pause. “Please?”
She stood aside and motioned with her hand that still held the knife.
“I can promise you that you won’t be needing that. Okay?” he said as he walked into the apartment and sat uninvited on the couch.
He looked up at her. He looked so different than the confident and cocky jock she’d gone on exactly one date with. She’d enjoyed herself on that date and had been looking forward to going out again. The only problem was she’d been busy—and he took that as flat-out rejection. Which it wasn’t.
She’d tried telling him her schedule was full, had even tried to say she could meet up for quick lunches until they could actually plan another date night. But he’d rapidly jumped into full-fledged stalker mode. When she let herself think about it, it was almost as if he enjoyed tormenting her. The dead raccoon was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She’d told Kit, who convinced her to go to the police and file for a restraining order.
And that was exactly what she’d planned on doing, right after taking her dog for a walk this morning.
She remembered thinking before how good-looking he was. Interesting how someone’s personality can affect how they look. She was seeing him through new eyes now, and she had to admit—he was downright ugly. And the fresh bruises and swollen eye had nothing to do with it.
Now, watching him visibly shake while sitting on her couch, she saw something new in his expression. Something she’d not seen before.
Fear.
“Please,” he said in a trembling voice. “Please tell him I came here and apologized. Tell him I’m never coming near you again. Tell him I’m not some sociopath who gets off on killing animals. Just tell him. Tell him you’ll never lay eyes on me again. Please tell him all of that. Okay?”
He gave her a pleading look. Carter was truly baffled. She sat down on the chair across from him and absently petted Cooper, who sat at her feet. Her brows furrowed.
“Who? Who am I supposed to tell this to?”
She saw a quick flash of anger in his face, but he reeled it in quickly and drove it back.
“Don’t play dumb, Carter. Your friend. That fucking gigantic monster with the crazy long hair and scary-ass tattoos. The one that rides a motorcycle?”
She blinked without saying anything. She only knew one person who fit that description, and she’d only met him once. Kit’s husband. Grizz.
She’d been invited to Kit’s house in Shady Ranches while her husband was away on business. He’d returned early, and Carter almost crapped herself when he’d let himself in the back door.
Grizz was nothing like she’d expected. She always associated “being away on business” with someone who wore a suit and tie and carried a briefcase. They’d just stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity but was only a few seconds when Kit, who’d been putting a load of clothes in the dryer, came back into the room and launched herself into his arms. She looked so small compared to the giant man that Carter slowly gave the once-over, taking in the long hair, five o’clock shadow, and tattoos that covered his massive body.
But it was the look of love and gentleness he gave his wife that shocked Carter far more than his appearance. He’d missed her, and he was totally smitten. It was too obvious to miss.
Carter shook off the memory as she listened to her repentant stalker.
“You’re going to try and tell me you don’t know who I’m talking about? Well, I get it. You have to play dumb, don’t you? He probably doesn’t want me to go to the police.”
Carter raised a brow.
He rushed on, watching her face. “Okay, so he’s not the kind of guy to care what I’d do, which is nothing. I wouldn’t do anything. Don’t tell him about the police comment, Okay? I—I was just kidding.”
Carter couldn’t help herself. She smiled. Then she gave him a serious look.
“I’ll tell him you apologized. I’ll tell him you won’t bother me again. I’ll tell him you don’t kill small animals. At least, I don’t think you do. You could be lying. You seemed to enjoy tormenting me.”
“It was road kill, Carter. I swear the raccoon was road kill that I found.” He stood up then, raised his broken arm. “He did this slowly. Not quick. Slowly, so I could feel it. He wanted me to hurt for scaring you.” He gulped. “I can promise you I never want to see him again in my life. And don’t take this as an insult, but you’re not worth it. Nobody would be worth it.”
He didn’t wait for her to answer, just walked to the front door and opened it. He stopped to look back at her.
“Okay?”
She nodded her agreement, and he was gone.
Three days later, Carter sat at the gas station and watched Kit’s husband, Grizz, lean back against his car while he pumped gas. She swallowed thickly, put her car in park, and approached him.
Without making eye contact, she heard him say, “I was wondering when you were going to make yourself known. You’ve been following me.”
“Uhhh...I didn’t realize you noticed. It just never seemed like a good time to talk to you,” she stammered.
He smiled at her then. Her heart actually gave a jolt from the attention he gave her in that one smile. She didn’t remember thinking he was good-looking that first and only time she’d met him. Her only recollection had been big. But his smile was disarming.
“I know you followed me to my bars and out to the motel, at least until you thought better of it and turned around. That was smart. Turning around. I’m thinking that you don’t want Kit to know what I did. You could’ve asked to see me or made an excuse to see her in the hopes of running into me, but you didn’t.” He nodded as he spoke. “I appreciate that.”
“You do?” The surprise in her voice evident.
“Yeah, I do. I try to protect her as much as I can. She doesn’t need to know I broke that shitbag’s arm.”
“Why? Why did you do it?” She couldn’t help but ask.
He retrieved the nozzle from his gas tank, placed it back on the pump, and started to put the gas cap back on. Without looking at her, he told her.
“Because Kit was afraid for you. She cares about you, and he was scaring and upsetting you. That was scaring and upsetting her. And nobody upsets my wife if I can help it.”
Carter smiled shyly. “Well, no matter why you did it, I appreciate it, and I owe you.”
“You don’t owe me.” He leaned back on his car, crossing his arms over his chest. The look on his face was nothing but serious and totally focused.
The sound of traffic and the smell of gasoline were nothing compared to his captivating stare. His green eyes bored into hers. No wonder Kit fell in love with this guy. There was something about him that was powerful and extremely attractive. I am not going to crush on my new friend’s husband. Not happening, Carter.
She swallowed hard and gave him a genuine smile.
“Well, I feel like I do. If there’s anything I can do for you, and I can’t imagine what that could even be, but if there’s anything, let me know.”
He didn’t answer her. He just nodded. She nodded back and turned to walk back to her car.
She was getting ready to open the door and get in when she yelled back over her shoulder, “Just remind me never to do anything to upset your wife!”
She giggled and looked his way to see if she could gauge his reaction, but he’d already climbed back into his black Corvette. Gee, if he heard me, I hope he knows I’m only kidding. I don’t ever want to get on the wrong side of him.
She thought about what he’d done to her stalker and shuddered as she got into her car.
Chapter Seventeen
Mimi
2000, Fort Lauderdale (Before the Execution)
“That’s him. That’s him!” Maggie whispered, gently poking Mimi with her elbow.
Mimi looked up and saw Elliott approaching. She could feel her pulse quicken. He broke into a wide grin when they made eye contact.
“That’s the guy who always asks about you,” Maggie said quietly, looking down as she pretended to arrange flowers. “He’s been in here at least three times and always misses you.”
Mimi didn’t say anything. She just smiled as Elliott approached.
“I’ll be in the back. Can you help this customer, Mimi?” Maggie asked in a voice that was too loud and obvious. Mimi could feel the embarrassment creeping up her neck and face in the form of a healthy red blush as Maggie headed for the back room.
“I’ve been in a few times,” Elliott shyly told Mimi.
“I’m sorry I missed you.” She meant it. She’d spent countless hours daydreaming about the young man who’d waltzed in and out of her life last month. She’d prayed she’d see him again, and God had heard her.
She took in his physique. He was wearing blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a light threadbare jacket. His hair was a little longer than she remembered. As if sensing her scrutiny, he ran his hand through it and stammered.
“So, umm, when I was here last time I kind of mentioned you having a boyfriend, but I realized I never actually found out if it was true. I’m just here to see, ah—if you don’t, um—if maybe you’d like to do something sometime? Maybe let me take you out somewhere?”
He bit his lip and looked away quickly before looking back at her.
“You mean, like hang out?” She caught a whiff of his cologne then and her heart flip-flopped. She absently started straightening up the counter.
“No, I don’t want to hang out with you, Mimi. I want to take you out. On a date. That is, if you don’t have a boyfriend.” He started to turn red.
“I don’t have a boyfriend, and I’d like very much to go out with you, Elliott.” She started twirling her hair and bit the edge of her lip.
“Great!” He gave her a wide smile and rolled back on his heels, hands shoved tightly into his jeans pockets. “I guess I’ll need your phone number, and maybe you can tell me where you live so I can pick you up? Maybe tomorrow night? If you’re available?”
He looked at her hopefully.
She didn’t want Elliott coming to her house to meet her parents. They hadn’t talked enough to exchange ages, but she was certain he didn’t know how young she was, and she was pretty sure he was at least eighteen, if not older. She would have to play this carefully.
She gave him a genuinely disappointed look.
“I can’t tomorrow night. Unfortunately, I’m busy for the next few nights.”
“Oh,” was all he said. He looked away, and Mimi could tell he was grappling with whether or not she wanted to go out with him.
She took in a big breath and prayed for a confidence she wasn’t quite feeling. The overpowering smell of flowers brought an unexpected calmness to her. With more boldness than she felt, she decided to take the plunge.
“But, well, I get off in a couple of hours. If you want to come back then, we could go out tonight. That is, if you want to. If you already have other plans and can’t, I completely understand.”
He grinned. “No, I don’t have any plans. Tonight is great! Do you want to go out for dinner?”
“Sure, as long as it’s not fancy. I won’t be going home to change. You’ll have to come back here for me, and what you see is what you get,” she couldn’t help but laugh at her own joke.
Elliott, who’d been staring into Mimi’s eyes, allowed himself to slowly scan his way down her body, making sure not to linger on her chest. She was wearing a lacy white top that wasn’t too tight, dark jeans she’d rolled up mid-calf, and white sneakers with no socks. He noticed a silver chain on her left ankle. He gulped.
“Nothing fancy. And even if it was fancy, I think you look perfect.” He caught her blushing and quickly asked, “What time should I come back here for you?”
“I’ll be out front at five o’clock.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you at five.” He gave a final smile and wave and headed out the door.
Mimi was still staring at the door when Maggie came out from the back.
“So? Tell me!” Her boss elbowed her.
“There’s nothing to tell,” Mimi answered, giving Maggie a small smile. “Yet.”
At Maggie’s questioning look, she added, “He’s picking me up when I get off, and he’s going to drive me home so he can meet my parents. I figured it’s the best way to start.”
“Good girl!” Maggie said. “I’ve got a few deliveries and won’t be coming back, so you can just lock up. I’m so excited for you. I don’t think you’re back in until next Tuesday, and I’ll want details!”
“I’ll tell you everything then.”
Less than ten minutes later, Mimi had arranged all the details. First, she’d called Lindsay to let her know she needed an alibi.
“I’m going to tell my mom she doesn’t need to pick me up after work. I’ll tell her you asked me to go to the mall because you need a new dress for your dad’s work thing and we’ll grab something at the food court.”
She could practically hear Lindsay rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, that’s kind of true. The whole family has to go to his stupid banquet every year. It’s not important enough to warrant a new dress, but it sounds convincing enough.”
“So can you find an excuse to be driving your mom’s van around six-ish so it’s not in the driveway? My dad gets home from work every night around six,” Mimi said. “I don’t know if he’d notice when he drives by your house.”
“Won’t be an issue,” Lindsay said. “It’s been in the shop for two days. I think she’s going to have to get something new. God, I hope whatever it is it’s going to be better than an ugly minivan.” Then as an afterthought, “How are you going to get home? Are you going to have this guy drop you off at your house?”
“No. I was thinking he could drop me off at your house, and you could walk home with me. Maybe we could say that the trip to the mall was unsuccessful, and we were going to comb through my closet to see if I had anything you could wear. I think that would really be convincing. What do you think?”
“I think I’m in!”
Mimi then made the necessary call to her mother. It wasn’t unusual for Mimi to get a ride home from work with her friend Lindsay. And they usually involved pit stops, so this wasn’t out of the ordinary. Her deceitfulness, however, was. She hoped there was nothing in her voice that betrayed her true motive. She’d never realized how exhausting deception could be. She wondered how her parents had pulled it off for so many years.
The rest of the afternoon passed slowly as Mimi tried to concentrate on work. So many thoughts about her upcoming date were doing battle in her brain. The lie to her mother. Involving Lindsay in the story. How would Elliott react when she told him her age? Would she even tell him? Would he care?
Her mind was so full of thoughts she could barely pay attention to what she’d been doing. She was certain that Maggie would have some rearranging to do. Mimi’s feeble attempts at arranging some of the heartier bouquets were a disaster.
At five o’clock sharp, Mimi was standing in front of the flower shop when she spotted an older model tan pickup truck coming down the road. She watched as Elliott parked right in front of the shop and got out. He’d changed into black trousers and a long-sleeved casual blue shirt.
He opened the passenger door. “Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
But he must’ve had second thoughts about what he’d said, because as soon as the words were out of his mouth he looked uncomfortable, like he’d just exposed his inner nerdiness.
Mimi tried not to giggle as she approached and climbed in. This was her first real date alone with a guy. She’d had casual boyfriends before, but they were always school-age friends, and dating was limited to boy-girl parties that were closely chaperoned or school and church events. This was the first time she’d actually been picked up by a guy who drove his own t
ruck.
As she settled herself in the seat, she realized she was probably way behind other girls her age when it came to boys. She knew Lindsay had lost her virginity last year to the school’s football captain, though she’d vowed to never do it again.
“It hurt, and he was a slobbering pig,” Lindsay had announced to her friends. “Never again. I’m never having sex again.”
Mimi shook off the thought as she tried not to let her nervousness show. He climbed into the driver’s side of the truck and gave her a smile that caused her heart to have palpitations.
“Do you like Italian?” he asked.
“I love Italian.” It was the truth. The Olive Garden was her favorite restaurant. It couldn’t rival her mother’s cooking, but she still loved it there.
“Does Marcella’s sound good?”
Even better. “It sounds perfect, Elliott.”
They made small talk during the drive. She asked him a lot of questions, mostly because she wanted to steer the conversation away from herself, but also because she was truly interested.
She found out the vintage truck they were riding in had belonged to his grandfather. It was in pristine condition, and she could tell Elliott took pride in caring for it. He was a senior in high school and would be graduating soon. His parents had divorced when he was very young. His father had moved away to Michigan, and Elliott had hardly known him. To his surprise, his parents had found each other again thanks to the Internet, and after a whirlwind reconnection, remarried after almost fifteen years apart. His mother moved to Michigan, and Elliott stayed in Florida with his grandmother.
“Did you miss your father? Did you miss having a man around while you were growing up?”
“I don’t know if I can answer that. I mean, there were other men around. My mom dated. They all seemed like nice guys. I had male teachers along the way. I don’t know if I missed the man so much as I missed the idea of a father. Am I making any sense?”
“Yeah, I think I know what you mean.” Mimi looked at her lap. She thought about her own painful feelings concerning the man who was her biological father. The murderer who sat on death row. The man who was scheduled to die this summer. Such a sharp contrast to the respectable architect she’d known as Daddy. She dismissed the thoughts with a shake of her head. “So you’re graduating soon. I guess you’re eighteen, then?”