Death by the River (A St. Benedict Novel Book 1)

by Alexandrea Weis

  Anger like molten lead ran through him. Beau sucked in deep breaths to calm himself—something he remembered from a long-ago therapy session. Then he relaxed his hand on the bar, checking the dent he’d left in the copper. He wiped the smudge away, stepped back, and raised his head.

  I am the master of control.

  * * *

  Low clouds fat with rain hugged the sky above the student parking lot. Beau turned at the chain-link fence surrounding the lot and eased his silver BMW onto the blacktop. His father’s words in his head, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel as he pulled into his usual spot beneath a shady oak.

  Students milled around, chatting and laughing. A few guys tossed a football over the tops of cars. It was a relaxed and playful atmosphere, just what he needed to dispel the last remnants of his father’s warning.

  Beau spied Leslie and Dawn’s white Honda pulling into the lot and grinned. Leslie was driving, as usual.

  Dawn was out of the car as soon as it stopped. He waited until he saw her heading to the steps of the main entrance before he opened his door.

  Leslie took her time getting her books from the back of her car, and he studied her movements, intrigued how she kept pushing a stray hair behind her ear.

  She’s nervous. Could it be I’m getting to her?

  Beau enjoyed seeing her this way. It made him feel as if he had some mastery over her, giving him hope for more in the future. He stayed in the shade, clenching his fists as Leslie clutched the bag to her chest. Her head down, she walked toward the side entrance to the school.

  Here was his chance.

  He jogged across the green quad as a clap of thunder shook the air. Leslie stopped at the door, searching her book bag for something, giving him enough time to reach her.

  She had left her hair down, just caressing her slim shoulders, and her light blue blouse set off the paleness of her skin.

  She raised her head from her book bag and veered left, heading back to the parking lot, and ran smack into him.

  He gripped her arm to keep her from falling over, enjoying the opportunity to touch her soft skin.

  “Whoa, hey there.” He kept his voice deep and seductive. “Just the girl I’ve been waiting for.”

  Her full, unpainted lips turned down. Beau pulled her close against his chest.

  Leslie jerked her arm, trying to break free. He dug his fingers into her tender flesh.

  He loved the fight in her. It made him feel alive.

  “What’s wrong, darlin’?”

  “You’re scum, Beau. You know that?”

  As a few students rounded the corner, Beau let go of her arm and stepped back. A group of sophomore girls passed by, and he made sure to give them a dazzling smile. They giggled and quickly slipped in the side entrance.

  Leslie pushed past him, heading toward the door, but he placed his hand on the side of the building, blocking her.

  He leaned in, taking in the sweet smell of her. “What’s wrong, Leslie?”

  She arched away from him. “Leave me alone.”

  “Why? What have I done?” He feasted his eyes on her figure, lingering on her breasts. “I would never think of harming anyone close to my girl. You know that.”

  Leslie glared at him, her blue eyes on fire. But before she could respond, Dawn ran up and got between them.

  “Back off, Leslie.”

  Her low growl surprised Beau. Where had she been hiding that? Beau slipped his arm around Dawn’s waist, eager to let her know she was his.

  “I think you need to set your sister straight, baby. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear she’s mad at me about something.”

  Leslie shook her finger at him. “Stay away from Derek, Beau.”

  He flashed a brilliant smile; the one he used to get out of trouble, especially with female teachers. “I think you need to check your facts, counselor. I don’t give a rat’s ass about your geek boyfriend.”

  Dawn curled into his chest, her strong perfume stinging his eyes.

  “See?” She did everything but stick her tongue out at Leslie. “He doesn’t give a rat’s hiney about Derek. So just drop it.”

  Beau hated the childish approach Dawn used with her sister, but it proved to him he had nothing to worry about when it came to her loyalties. That was good. The bigger the divide between them, the closer he could get to Leslie.

  Beau took Dawn’s book bag from her shoulder. “We on for the river Friday night? It’s only gonna be a great party if you’re there.”

  “The river is lame.” Leslie tossed her bag over her shoulder. “All everybody does there is drink and screw around.”

  Her condemnation of the river stoked Beau’s hostility. His nails dug into the strap of Dawn’s bag. How dare she bash the one place he had total freedom?

  “I think you have the wrong idea about what goes on at the river. We just hang out and have fun. There’s no parents to annoy us, no rules to follow. We can do what we want without anyone telling us we’re too loud or too wild.” He rolled his neck, relieving the tension created by Leslie’s presence. “I think you would enjoy yourself.”

  She shook her head. “No thanks.”

  Dawn smirked at her. “Leslie’s creeped out by The Abbey. She never wants to go to the river because of it. Doesn’t even like me talking about the place.”

  Leslie, with her wide stance and tightly pressed lips, reminded Beau of an Amazon warrior. Dawn had obviously hit a nerve, and he could guess why.

  He sensed an opportunity. His heart sped up at the prospect of adding to her fears.

  “Are you talking about the ghost?”

  Dawn snickered, grating on his nerves. “What ghost?”

  Beau kept his attention focused on Leslie while he spoke, eager to take in her terrified expression. “The lady in white. She wears a white-hooded cloak and haunts The Abbey grounds. Some say she appears when something bad is going to happen, but others think she’s the lost love of a priest who lived at the seminary. You have to be careful in The Abbey. She’s also said to take revenge on those who cause harm.”

  Thunder rolled across the sky and both girls flinched. He couldn’t have asked for better timing, but their frightened reactions fascinated him. If only he could recreate the fear in their faces—what a turn on.

  Dawn was the first to break the spell, slapping his arm and giggling. “Beau. Cut it out.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Let’s get to class.”

  He let Dawn lead him away, but not before glancing back at the reason for all his misery.

  * * *

  Leslie stared as her sister and Beau walked away, holding hands. She hated seeing Dawn manipulated by the sadistic shit. But how he acted one way with her and another with her sister disturbed her even more. Why couldn’t Dawn see it?

  Lightning raked across the sky, and she headed inside, spooked by the weather and Beau’s eerie story. Leslie had watched his expression as he told the tale about the ghost. He’d almost seemed to enjoy her fear. But why?

  Inside, students casually strolled through the gray locker-filled hallway, chatting and checking their phones. Leslie’s cell buzzed in her back pocket. She grabbed it as she shifted her bag.

  A text appeared on the screen.

  Running late. Love.

  A warm blanket of emotion wrapped around her and chased away the anxiety Beau had caused. Since dating Derek, Beau’s choking effect on her had lessened. Knowing she had Derek to talk to, hold, and share her concerns with helped tremendously.

  Once past the chemistry lab, the students in the hall thinned. Before she went to her first-period class, she sent off a quick text to Derek.

  She wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings when someone grabbed her from behind. Heart pounding, Leslie dropped her phone, and images of Beau made her cock her arm back to confront him with a quick punch to the throat. She spun around, ready to face him, when Derek smiled at her.

  She almost crashed to her knees. Leslie sucked in a few deep
breaths, overcome with the realization of what her encounters with Beau had done to her.

  I’m losing it.

  “Hey!” He held up his hands, eyeing her tight fist. “What is it?”

  Leslie unclasped her hand. “I thought you were someone else.”

  He retrieved her phone from the floor. “Who else would be grabbing you in the middle of the hallway?”

  Leslie took her phone, debating what to say. She didn’t want to tell Derek how shaken she was. It would only make him go after Beau, and that was the last thing she wanted.

  “I ran into Beau this morning.” She touched the bruise on his cheek, glad it had not turned black and ugly. “It’s looking better.”

  “Never mind about that.” Derek took her hand. “What happened with Beau?”

  The tension in his voice made up her mind. She couldn’t share her fears with him or anyone. She had to keep Derek safe and not break her sister’s heart, no matter how much it killed her to let Beau get away with his bullying.

  “Nothing happened. He just pulled his usual crap. I can handle it.”

  “That guy has some sick obsession with you.”

  She waved off Derek’s concerns. “He’s dating my sister, so how could he have an obsession with me?”

  Derek took her elbow and urged her along the hall. “Who knows? Maybe he hates that you’re smart, independent, and the complete opposite of Dawn.”

  “Or he just has a sick fantasy of doing twins.” She tucked her head against his chest. “Isn’t that what all you guys want?”

  “Guess again.” He stopped outside her English classroom door. “I have you, and I would rather jump off a bridge than spend ten minutes with your sister.” He kissed her cheek just as the first bell rang.

  A frenzy of activity erupted as the shouts of students, bang of lockers, and the squeak of tennis shoes signaled the last-minute chaos before class.

  Derek smiled at her before joining the mad rush for first-period.

  He disappeared behind a sea of students, but the peace he brought to her, and the happiness he rallied in her heart, eased her apprehensions about Beau Devereaux.

  Chapter Six

  The final bell rang, and the front doors burst open. A wave of students poured out of the school. Caught up in the tide, Leslie went with the flow until they reached the bottom of the stairs, and the students sprawled onto the quad. The clouds had vanished, and the afternoon sun filtered down on the side of the building. She stepped toward the wall, anxious to soak up some warmth and wait for the crowds to thin.

  Behind the school was the recently renovated athletic field. New metal stands lined the oval track, which encircled the turfed football field. All a generous gift from Beau’s family during his freshman year—along with the announcer’s booth and updated state-of-the-art video equipment.

  Leslie kicked off the wall and stood, adjusting the weight of her books. She used to enjoy going to the games and watching her sister cheer, but everything had changed the first time Beau had cornered her after his first night at the river with Dawn. He confessed he had slept with the wrong Moore girl.

  Your sister is a cheap imitation of the girl I really want, he’d said in his smoky voice.

  For months she had kept quiet about his offensive comments. Her sister would never believe what a sick shit Beau was after so much time, and the rest of the school viewed him as the perfect catch. What in the hell was she going to do?

  A loud bang to her left startled her. A handful of guys dressed in red football jerseys and gray warm-ups rushed out of the gym. Hollering and giving each other high fives, the players jogged to the field for their afternoon practice.

  Leslie searched the jerseys looking for number four—Beau’s number. She had it memorized after all the times Dawn had gone on about him.

  "Isn’t he the greatest guy,” her sister used to say after every home game.

  Coach Brewer, wearing his usual shorts, high tube socks, and St. Benedict Athletic Department knit shirt, trotted down the steps with a player at his side.

  His gravely laugh resonated between the school building and the field. He patted his player’s shoulder and his smile seemed sincere.

  Then she noticed the number four on the back of the jersey. Leslie pressed against the wall, desperate not to be spotted.

  Beau’s attention remained on his coach, and as the two men hit the edge of the field, other players came up to them. They all laughed with Beau, knocked his shoulder pads and appeared genuinely friendly.

  To Leslie, it was just another example of the Beau other people saw and not the one who haunted her day and night.

  Arms wrapped around her and scooped her into the air. Derek’s musky scent engulfed her, and Leslie tilted her head, giving him access to his favorite spot on her neck.

  He nuzzled the soft hollow. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Great idea.” Leslie took his hand, threading her fingers through his.

  They crossed the green grass to the parking lot and wove through the remaining cars. She hit the remote on her keys, and her little car’s headlights flashed as if it was glad to see them.

  The stress of her day evaporated when she got behind the wheel. She turned over the engine, anxious to get away from the school.

  Once out of the parking lot, she headed toward Main Street. “Where do you want to go?”

  Derek leaned over and grinned. “Somewhere we can be alone. How ’bout The Abbey?”

  Beau’s words came back to haunt her, and Leslie’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the wheel.

  “Did you get any applications in yet?” She stopped at a red light.

  “Yeah. Two.” He avoided her eyes. “One from LSU and the other from USL.”

  She frowned as she met his gaze. “None from out of state?”

  Derek rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not sure out of state would be a good fit for me.”

  “But you talked about going to UT in Austin before. It’s your dream college.”

  “The cost will be twice what staying in state would be. If I stay close, I could come home on weekends and check on Mom. I hate to leave her alone for too long.”

  A car honked behind them, and Leslie glanced at the green light. She waved an apology and started through the intersection. “Maybe we could go to LSU. They have a great law program. We could even get a place together and save on expenses.”

  “No way. We’re not living together until we’re engaged. I’ve got my reputation to consider.”

  “If that’s how you feel, Mr. Foster.”

  He playfully slapped her thigh. “Just wait until I get you to The Abbey. I’ll make you pay for that.”

  Anxiety nipped at her. She couldn’t keep refusing to go to The Abbey with him. Derek would want to know why she feared the place so much, and eventually, she would spill the beans about Beau and his taunting about taking her there. Leslie had to protect him and there was only one way to do that.

  Suck it up and go.

  She glimpsed the picturesque shop windows displaying everything from clothes to baked goods to art. The quaint, small-town charm of Main Street was occasionally interrupted by modern, sprawling structures, such as the new drugstore and Rouse’s grocery.

  She turned off Main and headed along the single lane road. The storefronts gave way to homes with bright gardens and oaks draped with tendrils of Spanish moss. Then the homes grew sparse and disappeared as greenery hugged the side of the road. Leslie slowed to avoid a pothole and heard the rush of the Bogue Falaya River through her open windows.

  The trees thinned, revealing the two stone spires of The Abbey. Apprehension snaked through her as she pictured Beau, her sister, and all the unsettling things she associated with the derelict church.

  A wall of dense red buckeye bushes swaying in the breeze shrouded a gravel path. Leslie finagled her car onto the path, weaving between an opening someone carved out long ago. A cleared, gravel lot lay hidden beyond the dense hedge, surrounded by thic
k pines and oaks with paths leading down a steep embankment to the river’s edge.

  The lot served the visitors who came to this spot in the summer months to visit the river for tubing, swimming, and small watercraft fun. Many parts of the river could barely accommodate a canoe, but the portion at the bend was wide, shallow, and offered a great place for families to gather.

  Leslie climbed from her car, listening to the sweet refrain of the birds in the trees. “No cars here today.”

  “It’s still too early. Everyone from school likes to come after dark.”

  He took her hand and led her to one of the pine straw-covered paths heading to the shore of the rushing river.

  Something moved in the dense underbrush to the side of the lot. Leslie went ahead, trying to get a better look.

  “What’s that?” She crossed several broken branches until she stumbled on something nestled in the foliage. The stench of rotting flesh hit her nose. She gagged and slowed to a stop.

  “Wait, Leslie, be careful.” Derek came to her side and swept aside a few leafy twigs to get a better look.

  Flies covered the bloated belly of a white-tailed deer, its head at an odd angle. Deep grooves slashed into what was left of the deer’s neck. The poor animal’s hindquarters had been completely torn away.

  Derek grabbed her shoulder. “Don’t get too close.”

  Leslie crept closer. “What did that?”

  Derek covered his mouth. “This animal was taken down by a large pack. There are hundreds of bite marks.”

  “What could do such a thing?”

  He took her hand and backed out of the brush. “I bet it was the wild dogs.”

  Leslie let him lead her away from the stench. “What wild dogs?”

  He stopped outside of the brush. “They’re around here. A couple of weeks ago, Mom said some hunters came in the diner and reported seeing them.”