As she waited her turn, she glanced around the shop. Only three students sat at the tables, one pecking away on a laptop and the other two talking on their phones. Eyes moving to the rear of the shop, she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her mouth dropped open in shock. Dylan sat in the very back corner with Malory. They had their heads together as if they were lovers. She folded her arms across her middle and hugged her elbows.
The woman behind the counter asked, “What can I get you?”
Still in shock, Lacy peered at the woman. She asked again, “What can I get you?”
Unable to speak, Lacy stood there for seconds. Before Dylan and Malory saw her, she ducked back out and rushed along the sidewalk.
She stopped and sat on a bench in the shade of a tall oak tree. Should she confront them? Should she ask if Dylan had stayed with Malory last night? Chewing her nail, she wondered if she should wait until they came out and then demand to know what they were doing together. Stop analyzing and make a decision. In the end she decided to go home. She would only make things worse. It was evident their relationship was over.
Heart-broken, Lacy drove the short distance to her apartment. Her feet felt like lead as she walked along the sidewalk to the front of their apartment. She unlocked the door and stumbled inside. Tears were already spilling over her cheeks. Tossing her backpack and purse on the sofa, she marched to her bedroom she shared with Dylan and fell into bed with her face pressed against his pillow. It smelled like him and her depression increased. She curled onto her side and clutched the pillow to her chest. From the beginning she knew the vast difference between her and Dylan would be a problem. Sometimes love wasn’t enough. But if he really loved her, he wouldn’t still be seeing Malory. She had never felt worse in her life. She couldn’t fall apart now. She had Bret Robertson to worry about.
Now what was she going to do? She and Michelle would have to find another place to live. Obviously, they couldn’t stay there. Dylan paid the bills. It was his apartment.
****
It was late when Dylan arrived home. His plans of taking Lacy to dinner had been squashed when Director Tate decided to have a meeting about one of the cases they had been investigating. He didn’t call to let her know he was going to be late. What he needed to say would have to be explained in person. He was going to come clean about Malory. From this point on he was going to tell her everything. No more secrets between them.
Her Jeep was not in its usual place in the parking lot. Maybe Michelle borrowed her vehicle. The moment he opened the door to their apartment, he knew she wasn’t there. It was too quiet. He flipped on the light and searched the apartment. Her backpack and purse were gone. A letter was on the counter.
We’ll be back later for the rest of our things. Lacy
His heart skipped a beat. She left him. Why did she leave him when the argument they had was her fault? She met Chad Grey without consulting him. How the hell could she be angry with him?
He took out his phone and called her. It went straight to voice mail. He tried Michelle. After four rings, he gave up and slapped the phone down on the counter. Apparently, neither wanted to talk to him. He sat on the stool at the counter and placed his head in his hands. Women didn’t make any sense and were much too complicated. He thought Lacy was different. He didn’t think she played games.
He raked his mind trying to figure out where she might have gone. He didn’t think she’d go home to Twelve Oaks. They would ask too many questions. She didn’t have many friends because of her shyness. “Michael Smith.” He was the only person Dylan thought she might ask for help. He lived in their old dorm building. He had stood by Lacy when others had taken Bret’s side after the attempted rape. Michael had walked her to class and made sure no one bullied or taunted her. Friends like him were one in a million.
Dylan grabbed his phone and raced out the door. He was going to get to the bottom of why she was acting all crazy. He wasn’t going to put up with her crap.
Chapter Six
Lacy opened the door and screamed. She tried to push the door closed but Dylan easily shoved his way inside. The look of anger on his face could scare the devil. Michelle bounded off the sofa and stood at her side, fists clenched as she were ready to fight.
Dylan placed his hands in front of his chest. “Calm down, Fireball. I only came to talk to Lacy.”
Standing in front of the stove, Michael grabbed the frying pan on the counter gripping it with both hands to use as a weapon. Lacy didn’t doubt Michael would attack Dylan if she didn’t do some quick talking.
Dylan pointed his finger at him. “Don’t even think about it.”
Thankfully, Michael dropped the frying pan at his side but he still gripped it tightly in case he felt the need to defend her. Lacy hoped it didn’t come to that. She didn’t want to see Michael hurt.
Lacy snapped, “You can’t come in here without being invited. Get out!”
Dylan’s eyes fixed on her. “Like hell I will. You have some explaining to do and I’m not leaving until I have some answers.” His unusual gray eyes snapped with anger. “Why did you leave me?”
“I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“The hell you don’t. I’m not leaving until you explain why you are angry with me. I’m the one that discovered you went behind my back to meet with Chad Grey.” He tapped his pointer finger against her chest. “I’m the one that should have left you. I should be angry with you instead of you being angry with me.” His voice softened and he asked again, “Why did you leave me? I can’t think of anything I’ve done to elicit you leaving me.”
She snorted, “It’s your apartment. Why would you leave?”
Michael entered the argument. “Do you want me to call the police, Lacy?”
“I am the police.” Still holding the frying pan, Michael walked around the counter and stood beside Michelle.
Her two best friends in the world stood by her side knowing Dylan could break their necks in an instant. It made her feel warm inside. “Where did you spend the night?”
“At Stan and Molly’s. I slept on the couch surrounded by a room full of toys. It was a very uncomfortable night. Where did you think I spent the night?”
She crossed her arms. Her bottom lip quivered and she fought the tears. “Malory’s.”
His shoulders slumped. “You saw me at the coffee shop.”
“Imagine my surprise when I walked right in to get a cup of coffee and saw you and Malory sitting in the corner. You were so into each other you didn’t even notice me. I bet you both got a good laugh at my expense. Poor, boring Lacy.” She hit him on the arm with her fist. “I should never have trusted you. You broke my heart.”
He fished into his pants pocket and took out the paper he had scribbled Tonya Callicutt’s name and information. Taking her hand, he pressed the paper into her palm. She unfolded the piece of paper and read it. “What’s this?”
Malory had information about one of Robertson’s victims. The necklace that was in the container with your cameo and the other jewelry belongs to Tonya Callicutt. She is still my informant and nothing more. I need her to help me find Robertson’s other victims.”
She felt the heat rising in her cheeks. “You are still investigating Bret? I thought you were taken off the case.”
“I’m doing a little investigating of my own. Just like you, I don’t want to see him go free. I think she was drugged and raped by Robertson.” He took the paper, folded it, and put it back into his pocket. “When are you going to trust me?”
A look of guilt on her face, she replied, “I don’t know what to say.” She should have known Dylan had a good reason to meet with Malory. It was just that they looked so comfortable together when she walked into the coffee shop. As usual, she had let her imagination run away.
“If you’ve got a problem, we need to talk about it. Communication is the key to a good relationship. You shouldn’t leave every time you suspect I’ve done something wrong. I cut my hair for you.” Dylan tugg
ed on a sprig of hair. “I gave up undercover work for you. I loved investigating gang activity, but when you said it was undercover work or you, I chose you. I’ve put you first in my life.”
Michael chimed in, “I liked your hair better long.”
Dylan glared at him. “Stay out of this, Michael. None of it concerns you.” He turned his attention back to her. “What must I do to prove I am crazy about you? Do you think I’d give up what I have with you for Malory? The woman is a cold bitch. She is selfish and only concerned about herself.”
A tear ran down her cheek. “I liked your hair better long also.” She ran her fingers through his short hair. You didn’t have to cut it for me.”
In a firm voice, Dylan stated, “We’ll continue this conversation when we get home. Go get your things.” His eyes shifted to Michelle. “You too, Michelle. It’s time to go home.”
Michael’s dorm room was as small as the one she and Michelle had shared. Both she and Michelle grabbed the only bag they had brought with them and their unpacked backpacks. “Thank you for letting us stay, Michael.” She cupped her hand to his cheek. “You are a great friend.” Face to face, she gave him a quick peck on the lips.
“You’d do the same for me.”
Michelle took Lacy’s car keys when she pulled them from her purse. “I’ll drive your Jeep so you two can have some alone time. I think you need to talk.”
Dylan stepped away from the door and waited for her to cross the threshold. Thoughts of all the apologizing she was going to have to do caused her to feel apprehensive. She would have to do a lot of sweet talking to make up for her mistake of not trusting him.
****
The ride home had been quiet. Dylan had been so angry she was scared to talk to him. But then maybe he was hurt. She had really messed up. He unlocked the apartment door and stepped inside without waiting for her. He threw his keys on the counter and dropped onto the sofa. Eyes straight ahead he said nothing.
“I’ll fix us some tea.”
“I don’t want any tea.” He pointed to the place beside him. “Sit.”
She did as he ordered without arguing. “I’m sorry, Dylan. When I saw you with Malory, all kinds of awful images popped into my head. It felt as if I had been hit with a sledge hammer. I thought you were still seeing her.”
“You think too much, Lacy. That’s your problem. I don’t want to analyze our relationship.” He tapped a finger to her forehead. “That big brain of yours goes off in all directions. You know I feel nothing for Malory.”
“You were lovers. How can you sleep with someone and not feel something?”
He snapped, “It was work.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and shook her. “How many times must I explain that? Until you, that was all sex meant to me. I slept with women to gain information. I have done terrible things, Lacy. There are things I’ll never tell especially if it hurts the woman I love.” He released her and let out a loud sigh. “You are the only woman that has ever touched my soul.” He placed his hand over his chest. “My heart belongs to you. Your health and happiness is most important to me.”
She wiped at a tear. “Malory is so exotic and exciting.”
“Malory is a nempho not to mention a lush. She has never had a relationship based on anything but sex and manipulation.” He took her hand and kissed each finger causing goose bumps to spread across her body. “Why would I want to be with the queen of beer pong and the campus whore when I have someone fresh and sweet?” His fingers brushed her cheek. “The first time you kissed me, I knew I was in trouble. No one has ever kissed me like you.”
She jumped into his lap. “Oh, Dylan, I love you.” She closed her mouth over his. She slid her hands up his back to feel the hard muscle. Her heart went from flutter to pound in a mere second. God, she loved kissing him. Joy and need burst through her system.
Dylan scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom, tossing her on the bed. He removed his clothing piece by piece dropping them to the floor. Then he took his time undressing her. He moved his lips over her face and down her neck stopping at her breasts. He kissed her peaking breasts. She hummed in her throat as he suckled on her breasts. His hand moved to her thigh and she sucked in her breath as his fingers slipped inside. She bowed against him taut, ready, and wet. His gaze took a lazy journey from her face, down her stomach, then to where his hand rested at the V between her legs. She was burning up. A sheen of sweat covered her body. Deeply pleased with the way she reacted to him, he whispered, “I’ve never felt the passion I do with you. There’s not another woman in the world like you.”
Her hand flew back until her fingers locked over one of the rungs of the brass headboard. Stripped of control, she gasped for breath. She cried out at the violence of her orgasm. “More,” she demanded. Every nerve in her body was vibrating as his hand did wondrous things to her body.
“Your wish is my command.”
His lips and hands were all over her. He not only held her heart but her soul. He entered her with so much power and speed the world stopped. She wrapped her legs around him and held him in place. Seconds passed before he began to move. There was no name for what she felt as he carried her higher. Pleasure shot through every nerve as she reached a mind blowing orgasm, even stronger than the first.
Moonlight filtered through the window casting the room in shadows. He was still on top of her breathing heavily. He eased off her, and braced on one elbow. Gently, he brushed her hair away from her cheek before he gave her a soft kiss. “Are we okay?”
“Yes, we are okay.”
“I don’t know where this lack of confidence comes from.” He twined a lock of her hair around his finger. “You are beautiful, smart, loyal. I don’t know why you doubt my love for you.”
“And boring.”
“How do you come up with all these ridiculous ideas? There is nothing boring about you.” He licked the end of her nipple and it immediately puckered. “I find you quite exciting.”
“I’m sorry I doubted you, Dylan. I promise I will voice my fears from this point on.”
“And keep no secrets from me,” he reminded her.
“No more secrets. Our relationship will be one of complete honesty.”
****
Dylan knocked on Tonya Callicutt’s apartment door, but no one answered. After three attempts to get someone to the door, he gave up and took the elevator to the lobby. The moment the elevator door opened a beautiful blond stepped inside carrying a canvas bag of groceries. She never made eye contact, keeping her eyes on the tile floor. He took a step back and waited to see if she got off on the third floor, same as Tonya Callicutt’s floor. His heart quickened when she got off on the third floor and moved toward apartment 330.
Her key was already in her hand and she peered over her shoulder at him before she stuck it in the lock. A look of fear on her face, she opened her mouth as if she were about to scream. Before she could scream, he took out his badge. “Hi, I’m Dylan Bauer with the FBI. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?”
“You scared me.” She took time to read his name on the badge. After the fear subsided, a look of worry flickered in her eyes. “Questions about what?”
“Bret Robertson.”
All the color drained from her face. He feared she would faint. “I don’t know Bret Robertson.”
“By your reaction to his name, I beg to differ.” He stepped closer and took the bag of groceries from her. She was the same height and build as Lacy. Her hair was not as long, but it was thick and the same shade of blond. “Can we go inside?”
“No.”
She tried to take the bag, but he didn’t relinquish his hold. “Then I insist you come to the station and answer some questions. You know I can’t let this go. We can do it here, or downtown. It is up to you where we talk.”
Her hand trembled as she fumbled with the door lock. It took her several seconds before she opened it and stepped to the side for him to enter.
Her apartment was small b
ut very neat. Family photos of various sizes covered one wall. From his observations, she had one brother. Obviously, she came from a close knit family. Something caught his eye. Leaning in close, he observed a photo of her and an older man and woman he assumed were her parents. Around her neck was the necklace in question. The same necklace he had in his pocket. Thrilled, his heart began to pound in his chest. Now he was getting somewhere.
He followed her to the small dining table. She pulled out a chair for him and she dropped into the chair across the table. It was obvious she didn’t want him to stay long because she never offered him anything to drink.
Dylan brought the handkerchief containing the necklace out of his pocket and unwrapped it. Holding it by the chain, he lifted it to eye level. The same necklace Malory said belonged to Tonya Callicutt. “Is this yours?”
She grabbed the necklace and held it in her hand. “I thought I had lost it.” A look of delight on her face, she asked, “Where did you find my necklace?” A tiny diamond glittered from the center of a gold heart.
“It is evidence in an investigation.”
“What kind of investigation?”
“An attempted rape investigation. Bret Robertson is the suspect.” Too agitated to sit, she stood and began to pace the room.
“I’ve already told you, I don’t know anyone by that name.”
“I think you do know him.”
She ignored his comment and asked, “How did he get my necklace?”
“I suspect he took it from you after he drugged and raped you. It was in his possession with several other pieces of jewelry.”
Too weak to stand, she sat back down at the table. “That’s not possible. I know nothing about Bret Robertson.” He knew better. Television reporters and the newspapers had been reporting the story for over a month. Next to Chad Grey, it was the most publicized story in Raleigh. A person couldn’t turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper without reading about the two cases.
“I must have lost the necklace and he found it. That’s the only logical explanation.”
Blood of the Falls (Twelve Oaks Farm Book 4) Page 8