Texas Hellcat

by Shelley Stringer

  “I’m glad to hear you’re pleased with our company’s performance,” Stuart answered as his wife covered his hand with hers.

  “If Miss Sanger is any indication of the way you do business, my husband would be wise to partner more with your firm. I think he has some ideas to talk over with you tonight,” she said, tugging on her husband’s coat sleeve.

  “Kelly, I’d like for you to meet Martin Sellers, President and CEO of Lone Star Financial,” Liam said, drawing my attention to his left. “Martin, I’d like for you to meet Kelly Sanger, one of the marketing and advertising reps at Austin Inc. She’s been heading up several new marketing campaigns for them, and I think you would be interested in seeing her work.” Martin Sellers extended his hand as he smiled genuinely at me.

  “Miss Sanger, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You’ve done an outstanding job this evening,” he praised as a waiter returned to our table, setting out salads and re-filling our champagne.

  “Thank you, Mr. Sellers. You’re company is an Austin-based commercial lender?” I asked, already aware of the answer.

  “Yes, but at the moment, we have a couple of campaigns on-going. What I’d like to talk to you about is some national advertising for some of our clients--namely promotion of the Austin clubs, the Sixth Street Music Coalition, and Austin Nightlife.”

  My heart began to pound. This was exactly the kind of project I’d dreamed of doing since I’d first been introduced to the marketing world in college. Liam squeezed my hand, sensing my excitement.

  As we ate our salads, I bounced some ideas off of Martin Sellers. As his excitement grew, Stuart Drake joined the conversation. Before we’d finished our main course of Texas prime rib, Sellers had verbally committed to sign with Austin, Inc. to head up the marketing for the tourism group.

  “That is quite enough of shop talk for the evening. I’m sure Mr. Covington would like to ask Miss Sanger to dance,” Mrs. Leighton scolded the men at the table.

  “You read my mind, Mrs. Leighton. I’m dying to do that very thing,” he said with a devilish grin, his blue eyes twinkling brighter than the thousands of twinkle lights draped in the silk tents. “If you will excuse us,” he murmured, already looking down at me as he helped me from my chair. I was still bouncing with excitement, and Liam peeled me away from the table.

  “But Liam, I was just getting started with my ideas,” I whispered. I realized in a second he was smirking at me.

  “Calm down, baby. You’ve won everyone over already. Now, dance with me,”

  I finally turned my full attention to him. “Thank you! You practically landed the account for me,” I said, looking up at him when he swung me out onto the dance floor.

  “You did that all by yourself, Kel. I simply introduced you to the man. You’re building quite a reputation for yourself with business as well as charities and fund-raising groups. It was smart the way you worked the different groups tonight. You’re thinking like a real Austin politician.” I was sure I noted a bit of pride in his voice.

  “Um, I’m not sure whether to be flattered or offended by that remark,” I replied warily.

  He threw his head back and laughed. “I meant it as a compliment. I always try to look at the positive side of politics. I’m too young for my ideals to be tarnished yet,” he retorted, pulling me closer into his arms. We danced for a few moments in silence, letting the music wash over us. The jazzy trumpet/trombone number worked its magic at soothing my pumping adrenalin.

  As the music slowed, the lights dimmed. A lonely trumpet started to play as a soulful voice sang out. The words of the love song were sad and longing. He grabbed my hand when I started to exit the dance floor.

  “Not just yet, baby. I’m not through holding you.” He pulled my hand up close to his chest as he wound his other arm around my waist, tugging me into his body. I was intensely aware of his muscular frame pressed against the sheer fabric of my dress. I was sure I could feel his blood pulsing through his veins. As we moved around the dance floor, weaving in and out of couples, I was amazed at his dancing skills. He guided me effortlessly, moving me like an instrument, never wavering, controlling my movements as much as his. I wasn’t a great dancer, but in his arms I felt as though I was.

  “Hmm. Great on the dance floor, great in bed,” I murmured against his neck.

  He pulled away and looked down at me. “What was that?” he asked, grinning.

  I blushed. I didn’t realize I’d said it out loud. “Something I heard in a movie once,” I murmured, looking down in embarrassment.

  He placed his finger under my chin, tipping my head back up so he could look at me.

  “You’re so self-possessed and in control one minute, and then timid and unsure the next. You seem so naïve to me at times, and then other times, like just now…Mmm!” He growled, low in his throat. “All I can think about is getting you alone somewhere, and peeling that outfit off you, item by item,” he whispered. “I think you have me in some sort of spell.”

  I looked up into his eyes and I was suddenly, achingly aware of wanting him—and wanting to be wrapped around him. “I think it’s the other way around.”

  I blushed profusely, my body betraying where my thoughts had gone. He leaned down and brushed my lips with his and then checked his watch.

  “Just a bit more, baby, and then we can really start our evening together,” he whispered, whirling me around the room one last time. I caught sight of Mrs. Leighton over Liam’s shoulder, smiling and nodding as she and the other wives at the table watched us on the dance floor.

  As the song ended, Tana called out from the edge of the parquet dance floor.

  “Kelly-cat! You won’t believe it. I won big at the blackjack table! A spa package at that new exclusive spa…for four!”

  Sunni squealed out loud as she and Jen joined us, jumping up and down.

  “Any day we choose! The four of us polished, massaged, soaked, exfoliated, buffed and waxed like Victoria’s Secret models!”

  “Wow, that sounds…painful,” Liam exclaimed as I nudged his shoulder.

  “It sounds great, Tana! Thanks for including me.”

  “You bet,” she retorted, handing me a glass of champagne. “Here’s to the four luckiest girls in the room,” she toasted, clinking her glass against ours. We all downed our champagne as Jen exclaimed, “Ohhh…let’s go and watch the car auction at the back of the tent. I need to throw myself at whomever bids on the Bugatti,” she said as the other two joined her.

  “Liam, I just need a minute. I have to go and check on the art auction to make sure everything is in place,” I whispered up into his ear.

  “Sure, baby. I need to say something to Stuart, and then I’ll join you,” he said, squeezing my waist.

  “No hurry…stay and visit. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” I assured him, turning to work my way back through the crowd to the service tent. After checking to see the cleanup from dinner was underway, I went out the back entrance and around the tent to the silent auction area. All of the donated artwork was set up on easels around the room. Many of the women and a few of the men were strolling around the tent, taking their time, looking over the artwork coming up for bid. A few of the artists visited toward the back of the tent, and I spotted a couple who I knew from the meetings we’d had with their association. Just as I reached the group, I recognized the man with the short, choppy blonde hair who I’d spotted earlier in the main tent. As he turned to face me, I gasped as his slow, lazy smile turned my blood cold.

  As he continued to stare at me, taking me in from head to toe, my breath left me. The room elongated, and I was looking down a long tunnel. My feet were cemented in place, and I felt as if someone was closing their fingers around my neck. I began to sway, at once light-headed. The face…that sickeningly handsome, grotesque face from my past…was staring at me from three feet away.

  Ten

  I struggled to find my voice. I’d often plotted what I might do to him if I ever saw him face-to-face now that I was an
adult. All I wanted to do was scratch his eyes out and knock the sick smile off his face. And I was wondering for the hundredth time if I was the only young girl who he’d ever hurt, or if there had been others. I suddenly felt vulnerable and at his mercy, just as I had at fourteen. All of the memories I’d tried to bury for so long slammed into me. I could smell the way his breath had always smelled as he breathed on the back of my neck…stale bourbon and cigars. I could feel his hands on me…soft, cold hands…almost feminine, hands that had never toiled or done a man’s work. I could hear the grunts as he grasped my panties in his hands from behind, stripping them down my legs, the elastic biting painfully into my skin. I shut my eyes tightly for a moment, willing the horrible memories to stop. I opened them again, only to find my worst nightmare standing in front of me.

  “Wha…what…what are you doing here?” I stammered.

  “I find myself in a position these days which warrants I attend these charity events,” he murmured as he took in my appearance. So, you do remember me. I’m sorry I didn’t make it to your mother’s funeral, I meant to.” He slung his half-empty glass out for emphasis, a smug smile on his face.

  “Why would you come to my mother’s funeral?” I whispered, suddenly acquiring my communication skills.

  “Why, I loved your mother, Kelly. I loved all three of you,” he replied, deadpan.

  “You didn’t love her, and you didn’t love me or my sister. You just used my mother and me.” I began to back away from him. He narrowed his eyes as he took a step toward me.

  “Get away from me,” my voice rose as I began to panic. My heart was pounding so hard I thought my chest would burst.

  “Now that’s no way to talk to the next Governor of Texas” he retorted as his eyes narrowed.

  I considered his remark to be his attempt at being humorous. “You can’t expect me to be civil to you…with what you did to me, and you killed my mother with your drugs.”

  He studied his drink for a moment, and then raised his dead-black, lifeless eyes back to mine. “I think you’re confused about the past, Miss Sanger. You need to be careful what you say about people, especially powerful people in high places,” he warned with a menacing tone.

  A soft touch to my bare shoulder caused me to whirl. Liam stood behind me with a concerned look.

  “Kelly, is everything okay?” He slid his arm around my waist as he continued to gaze at the monster from my past. The monster…my mother’s boyfriend number four, or was it five? He was the monster who had taken my innocence.

  It was surreal. The man who I’d already given my heart to, albeit grudgingly, was face to face with the man I’d hated most in my life. He held his hand out toward him as if to introduce himself.

  “Liam Covington, Kelly’s friend. Do you two know each other?

  I was suddenly sick as I watched Liam’s hand touch the monster’s hand.

  “Yes, we met a long time ago. I knew Kelly’s mother. She worked in my office for a short time in Houston several years ago. I’m David Johnston Reeves,” he offered, suddenly replacing his sick smirk with a winning smile. Liam’s eyes widened.

  “I thought I recognized you. Texas State Senator -- you’ve thrown your hat in the ring for the Governor’s race. I believe my father is one of your greatest supporters,” Liam concluded, looking back and forth at the two of us.

  The room was spinning and the walls were closing in. No! No, no, no…NO! What little blood there was left drained from my face.

  “No,” I choked out, just as Reeves took Liam’s hand. Before I threw up, I fled. There was suddenly a huge spotlight in the tent aimed at me and my shame. I couldn’t flee fast enough. I found myself slipping silently through the crowd. I was barely aware of Liam calling to me as I stumbled through the service tent, knocking a waiter down as I exited to the parking lot. I looked around frantically, realizing I’d left my purse and my car keys in the tent at our table. Not even pausing to remove my heels, I headed toward our apartment. I could think of nothing but fleeing. I had to get as far away from him as possible.

  As I slowed after a few blocks, the snap of running footsteps closed in on me from behind. I screamed when a hand grabbed my shoulder to stop me.

  “Kelly! Stop! What are you doing?” Liam grabbed both of my arms and held me as if to shake some sense into me. “Why did you bolt?”

  “You don’t understand…he…I…After all this time…No!” I was trembling and mumbling, not making any sense at all.

  “Okay, shhh…it’s okay. I don’t understand what just happened, but he’s obviously upset you. If you were upset and wanted to go, you just had to ask me, Kelly. I would have taken you home. Where’s your car?”

  “I left it and my purse at our table.”

  He pulled me close to his body. “You’re shaking all over. Are you frightened of him?”

  “I haven’t seen him in so…oh, my God, I think I’m going to be sick.” I bent over, a shaking, dry-sobbing, hysterical mess.

  “Okay, shhhh.” He pulled his phone from his pocket as he continued to hold me close.

  “Scott, get Kelly’s things and my car and pick us up at her apartment.” Liam hung up and then slid his phone back in his jacket. He rubbed my back gently, and then pulled me upright, wrapping his arm around me. We slowly walked the last two blocks to the building, and then he pulled me over to the metal bench sitting on the corner by our door. The security guard peered at us curiously as we sat down. As I continued to shake, he silently pulled me up onto his lap, pulling his arms around me. I was oblivious to the gesture, fighting the images in my mind that seeing the monster from my past had evoked. As Liam’s car pulled to the curb, he stood with me cradled in his arms. I suddenly realized he’d called someone to get us.

  “Scott…who’s Scott?” I murmured as he stood me back on my feet.

  “Scott works for my dad. He drives us when we need a driver, runs errands. Sometimes he serves as a bodyguard.”

  A large, athletic looking man I’d never seen before jumped from the vehicle and ran around to open the back door for us. Liam helped me in the back seat and then crawled in beside me.

  We drove in silence. Nearing the Four Seasons, Scott slowed the SUV, pulling into the valet parking. Liam shifted me in the seat as he opened the door, then turned as he gently lifted me out.

  I regained some of my pride and composure. “I can walk,” I protested huskily.

  “No, tough girl, I’ve got you this time,” he whispered against my neck as Scott held the doors open for us.

  “Scott, take Kelly’s keys out of her purse and retrieve her car for her. Park it in her space at her apartment,” Liam instructed.

  “Sure. Anything else?”

  “No, that will be all tonight.”

  Liam quickly crossed the lobby to the bank of elevators. The doors closed, and I realized we were alone in the elevator.

  “Kel, why were you afraid of Reeves? What did he do to you?” he asked softly.

  I shook my head as I took a deep breath. It was going to take all of my resolve and strength to bury the long-buried emotions.

  “You are afraid of him.”

  I nodded slightly, my face still pressed against his neck. The doors to the elevator opened, and he stepped out into the foyer of his suite.

  “I need to go home,” I said huskily, wiping my eyes. Liam crossed to the sofa and placed me there, then strode across the room to the mini-bar.

  “No, I want you to stay here with me tonight,” he said as he poured two snifters full of brandy, then returned and handed one to me.

  “Drink,” he commanded.

  I downed the glass, then coughed. He quickly poured another and handed it to me. My head was still spinning from all the champagne. The brandy warmed my throat, seeming to spread to my entire body.

  “Kelly, what I know about you…you aren’t afraid of anyone. Do you want to tell me about it?” he asked more forcefully.

  I raised my eyes to him slowly.

  “Did yo
u know he’s a State senator?”

  “Yes. But I knew him before as one of my mom’s many boyfriends,” I retorted angrily.

  He sat down beside me on the sofa. After taking another sip of the brandy, I leaned my head back on the sofa and curled my feet up under me.

  “How old were you, Kel?”

  “Mmm?” I replied, lost in swirling memories better left forgotten.

  “How old were you when he raped you?”

  I sat up suddenly, almost spilling my drink. The sick feeling came back, all the blood rushing from my face when I heard Liam say it out loud. I had to force myself to answer him, my voice caught in my throat.

  “Fourteen.”

  His eyes darkened, and he sat silently for several moments. My heart beat hard in my chest, causing a dull ache to form. His reaction scared me. He’d finally put two and two together, and realized I was damaged. Maybe his brother had nailed it in his phone monologue after all.

  Unable to stand the silence a moment longer, I slid my feet out from under me and stood up shakily.

  “I need to go,” I whispered, looking around for my purse.

  “Kel…Kelly?” his voice sounded ragged. I jerked my tear-filled eyes down to his as he held his hand out to grasp my waist. “No.” His voice was so deep…commanding and final. His eyes blazed as though he was angry. I was confused, not understanding his reaction at all. Was he disappointed in me? I was sure he was disgusted by my whole screwed-up dysfunctional past, and didn’t know how to disentangle himself.

  “Liam, it’s okay.” I worked to steady my voice, using the technique I’d perfected over the past eight years or so. I struggled to find my automated voice--unemotional robotic responses to any question. “I’ve been dealing with this on my own a long time. It was just a shock, seeing him tonight. I really didn’t anticipate ever talking to him again,” I took a deep breath and then continued, “I’ve got this, now.”

  “I want you to stay. Kelly, come here,” he insisted, tugging on my arm and pulling me down onto his lap. As I tried to push away, he tightened his grip on me.