Into The Spirit

by Marie Harte

  He hung his head and rubbed at his face. Jesus, he was in deep. What the hell was he going to do? He had to go. He couldn’t take the chance of her becoming hurt because of his life. But how the fuck was he going to find the strength do that?

  He honestly didn’t know if he could let her go and was unsure if he should even bother trying. The idea of having her and Noelle in his life was such a huge temptation, even with all their extra abilities and strange family medallions and lifespan... A thought suddenly occurred to him. If he and Eve were to live together or got married, he would grow old, while she and Noelle would barely age. And what would happen when he died? His chest tightened again. Eve would end up being alone. It was something that hadn’t occurred to him before, but now that it had, he felt his confusion grow.

  He swore to himself, fighting mixed emotions, but remained next to the door. He wanted to listen to Eve’s voice, memorise that beautiful lilt, because it might have to last him the rest of his life.

  * * * *

  “Well. You look pretty good to me, and that baby’s heart sure sounds strong.” Eve closed her bag and looked seriously at Jillian. “But I would feel a lot better if we could get you to see a doc just to be sure.”

  Jillian rolled to her side and Eve helped her to sit up. “But you said I look good and the baby’s heart is strong.”

  “True and I don’t believe you have anything to be concerned about”—Eve could hear and see Jillian’s sudden concern. She adjusted her voice—“But what I just checked is bare minimum pre-natal stuff. It’s no substitute for seeing a specialist,” Eve counselled, then asked, “Do you have a doc that you have been seeing?”

  “No. I couldn’t find one.” Jillian lowered her head. “I’ve been going to the clinic around the corner from my apartment.”

  Eve patted her hand. “That’s okay,” she reassured. “I know a few good docs. When all of this is over I’ll give them a call and see who has room for you,” she soothed.

  “Thank you.” Jillian took a deep breath. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to about this stuff.”

  “You didn’t talk to your…” Eve swallowed. “Sister about this, or the baby’s father?”

  Jillian stiffened. “Justine listens but there is nothing she can do now.”

  “And the baby’s father,” Eve pressed. She watched as Jillian stiffened again. Eve fully understood. “He’s not in the picture.”

  “I thought yes, but then…” She lowered her head as tears filled her eyes. “Not anymore.”

  Eve gently clasped her hand. “Would it make you feel better if I was to tell you, I went through the same as you?”

  Jillian’s head shot up. “Your daughter’s father tried to kill you too?”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “What?” Eve grabbed hold of Jillian’s hand. They both jumped when the door flew open.

  “What did you say?” Alex stood in the doorway.

  Poor Jillian jumped again when Alex demanded she repeat her last sentence. She was shaking so badly she could barely get the words out.

  “Easy. It’s okay,” Eve soothed, then turned and glared over her shoulder. “Stop it Alex, right now!”

  He pinned her to the spot with glowing eyes.

  Her anger flared to match his, “Don’t look at me like that. I won’t have you scaring her.”

  “Didn’t you hear what she just said?” he barked.

  “Of course I heard, I’m sitting right next to her.” She focused her attention on Jillian and gently rubbed her back and used her strongest pitch to calm her. “It’s okay; don’t pay any attention to him. He may sound like a rabid dog, but he’s no more than a kitten with a hair ball.” She got a shaky laugh out of Jillian.

  Alex snorted behind her, “Kitten! More like a cougar.” Well she had to agree with that, but that didn’t mean he needed to know.

  She continued talking to Jillian, both her and Alex needed the clarification. She levelled her voice—“Jillian, is Miles—”

  “Rick,” Alex corrected.

  She looked to Alex. “Who the hell is Rick?”

  “Cover name,” he explained.

  Eve wrapped her arm around Jillian’s slumped shoulders. “Is Rick the father of your baby?” Jillian lowered her head to stare at her hands. Eve squeezed her shoulder. “It’s okay.”

  “No it’s not.” She sniffed. “Look at me. I’m a pregnant mess.”

  Alex quietly came to stand in front of them and squatted down gripping his hands together. “When?”

  Eve glanced up at him, it would seem the shock was under control. She gave him a worried smile. This was some serious stuff, she wasn’t only worried about Jillian and the baby, she was worried about Alex too.

  He gave her a wink before Jillian finally spoke.

  “I met Rick…” She stopped. “That isn’t his real name, is it?”

  “No.”

  Jillian took a deep breath. “I met him over seven months ago now. When he came to work for Mr Rhodes. I worked late one night and missed my bus.”

  “That happened the night we found you.”

  “Mr Rhodes worked long hours. I missed my bus a lot. But he always covered the cost of the cabs I took home.”

  “But Rick took you home one night?” Alex guessed.

  “Couple of nights.” Her shoulders slumped.

  “Hey,” Alex said. “No judgement here, we’re all human.”

  She lowered her eyes, and then continued with her story. “I told him when I found out. He was quiet at first but seemed to be okay with it and we still…you know.” She shrugged. “And then he was gone for a while. When he came back I was just coming into my sixth month and had gotten pretty big.” She shook her head wiping at her eyes. “He wanted me to put the baby up for adoption, but I couldn’t do that. He didn’t like it but he didn’t pester me about it or anything and let the matter drop. And then I worked late with Mr Rhodes and saw you and Rick kill him.” She sniffed. “That’s it.”

  Alex stood and looked down at Jillian. Jesus, this was the reason Miles wanted to kill her. Not because she had witnessed them take out Rhodes but because she was carrying his child and refused to give it up. Then an opportunity presented itself and he took it. He clenched his fists. That twisted fuck.

  “Alex?” The worried tone came from Eve.

  He forced a smile. There had been too much screwing around. This had to end.

  He turned from the women and went downstairs and out the front door. Cade’s cell was still in the Jeep. He needed to turn it on. He’d call Trevor first and get him up here, then let Miles call him.

  “Alex?” Eve called from behind.

  “Go back in the house, Eve.” Too late. She was beside him, gripping his hand. He stopped and glared down at her. “What?”

  “I just…it got so cold in there. I wanted to know if you were all right.”

  “Do I look all right to you? My best friend wants to kill that woman because he got her pregnant.” He pointed to the house. “He used her and then tried to kill her because she wouldn’t do what he wanted.” He glared down at her, then straightened. He was doing the very same thing to Eve. He had threatened her, threatened Noelle, forced her to do his bidding and had believed himself to be in the right because he had a noble cause. In fact, he was still using Eve by dragging her here to help him deal with Jillian. He was no better than Miles.

  He stepped back from her. It would end here. If he cared for her at all—which right now he wasn’t even sure his feelings for her were actually real or just a result of their circumstance—she needed to know it was over. She deserved to have a man that would love her the way she deserved to be loved.

  “Go back to the house and stay with Jillian.” He stilled her when she opened her mouth. “No. Listen. Remember when I told you we would end?”

  Her hazel eyes became huge, she nodded slowly.

  “Well that’s now. I’ve already wasted too much time with you trying to get to this point. I hope it was worth
it.” Then, added to the harsh words. “Your job is to take care of Jillian and stay the hell away from me. Nothing more. Miles will be coming and I don’t need you or her getting in my way. Is that clear?” She swallowed but nodded again.

  “Good.” He turned from her and marched to the Jeep throwing the passenger door open.

  “Jesus, you are a real bastard.” He looked up to see Justine sitting in the driver’s seat.

  “It’s not a new thing for me.” He opened the glove compartment and withdrew Cade’s phone.

  “She didn’t deserve that.” Her eyes flared at him. “Alex. Eve loves you. You must know that by now?”

  His heart contracted painfully but he fought it. “She shouldn’t.” He turned the phone on.

  “But she does. You were told she must be cherished and instead you crush her. What kind of man are you?”

  He managed a flat smile, his guilt tearing him apart. “I’m not a man,” he began. Then repeated what Brad Rhodes had said. “I’m a monster.”

  It took no time to call Trevor and give him detailed directions to his parents’ cottage. He was eager to help and agreed to everything Alex suggested, except killing Miles. Alex had expected that. Trevor was a cop after all, he would want to see Miles do time. The only thing that Trevor didn’t realise was that Miles would never do any time, shit he wouldn’t make it to a police station to be formally charged. The Guardian Project protected their own.

  After hanging up, he leaned against the back of his Jeep and looked at the cottage he had grown up in. During his summer vacations he and his mom would spend weeks, sometimes longer, here, his dad driving up on the weekends to join them. He would ride his bike, go into town and play with the local kids, swim in his own personal lake. Life was simple. He wished he had that now. It was incredible how fast a life could turn into a nightmare.

  The cell rang.

  He raised it to his ear. “Detective Taylor. Remy Castillo. I’m glad you decided to man up and turn on your phone. How’s the weather up north?”

  Alex laughed, he couldn’t help it. Miles was going to die, there was no question about that. It was just too damn bad that there was still the man Alex had called a brother inside there somewhere. “Remy?” Alex stood up and opened the back of the Jeep. “I always hated that name. Makes you sound like an over-paid porn star. I’m sure I mentioned that once or twice.” There was silence on the other end. Alex chuckled, pulling his rifle bag and large duffel from the back. “How about I just call you Rick Burns? Or better yet Miles Harding, which is, after all, your real name?”

  Miles gripped the phone as he sped through the city. He cut two cars off before shooting onto the highway. How the hell did this cop know his real name? And why did he repeat the same thing Alex had said to him years ago about his cover name Remy Castillo. Only Alex had teased him about it over the years. It was a private joke between the two of them.

  Alex? No, it couldn’t be. He reasoned, with the doubt in his head. It couldn’t be Alex. He was lying in a coma at Memorial. But with what he’d seen at Alex’s apartment and with what the cop had said, his gut was telling him there was something else going on.

  “Sounds like you’re on your way,” Cade said casually. “When should I expect you?”

  “Soon.” Miles ended the call as he flew down the highway. There was more to this cop, something he had missed, but what? He was too calm, too casual. It was as though Cade knew what he was planning to do.

  Alex sighed, sliding the phone into his back pocket. Miles was on his way. He moved quickly. There was a lot of ground to cover and he wasn’t sure how long he would have before Miles arrived. The entire property was ten acres, with other wooded properties surrounding it. He need to set up a defensive ring around the house and shed, leaving only one way in, by water.

  By the time he was done it was dark. He walked back down the drive to the house and noticed that a light was still on in the living room. As he walked past the house he noticed Eve on the front porch. She didn't look at him or even acknowledge he was there, just sat still and looked out at the water. He stopped and stared at her. He wished things hadn’t turned out this way. He never wanted to hurt her and he fully accepted her hate for the things he had done to her. He still intended to protect her though, whether she wanted him to or not, there was never any question about that.

  He cleared his throat, getting her attention. When she turned her head, he swore silently. Her eyes were flat and her face void of any emotion. “I need to show you something.” He pointed to the shed behind the house.

  She got to her feet and followed behind him as he walked behind the house. She was silent, the only thing he heard was the crunch of her feet on the driveway. He pulled open the double doors and moved beside the BMW parked inside, to the back of the shed. When he turned to show Eve the door on the floor, she wasn’t there. He looked up and saw her watching him from outside.

  “It’s here,” he said, pointing to the floor. She walked around the car and stopped next to him looking down. He bent down and pushed on a single slat of wood, which popped open exposing a handle. He pulled open a rectangular door leading down a narrow flight of steps.

  “This leads to the house.” He placed his foot on the first stair which triggered a light, and a faint glow lit up the tunnel. He waited at the bottom for her and when she was next to him he explained, “That way leads to the house.” He turned and pointed under the stairs in the opposite direction. “That leads up the hill, away from the house.”

  Alex focused on her. “When I tell you, you and Jillian will go down to the basement and take this tunnel to here. Grab this flash light.” He pointed to the ground and Eve saw a single long handle flash light sitting on the dirt floor. “Then take that tunnel up the hill. You’ll come out next to a fir tree. Wait for me there. If I’m not there in twenty minutes make your way down to the main road and into town and call the cops.”

  Eve blinked up at him astonished these tunnels were even down here. “Did you dig this out?”

  “No. I found it after my parents bought the house from an old couple. There used to be a barn above here, the previous owner didn’t like walking in the snow to feed his horses and dug it out. That part”—he pointed back to the narrow tunnel under the stairs—“my dad figured it was a natural part of the area, there are caves all around here. I used to play in it all the time when I was young. It can be a little slippery, so watch your step.”

  She didn’t respond to him, she was so surprised that he was concerned for her well-being all of a sudden. Well there was no need, she could take of herself and Jillian. “We’ll be fine.”

  She pointed in the direction of the house. “I’m going to check out the entrance so I know where it is.” She took a single step before Alex grabbed her arm.

  “No. I’ll show you when we’re in the house.”

  “Don’t.” She pulled her arm away. She didn’t want to feel Alex’s hands on her—she was still hurting from his words. She knew he could be controlling and aggressive and she knew he had a very dark side to him, but never once had she thought he could be cruel and that was what he had been to her. Cruel. “I’m a waste of time. Remember?” His eyes were glowing by the time she was done.

  Turning away, she climbed the steps, not caring how mad he had become. How dare he treat her like that? She hadn’t done a single thing to deserve this, yet she was the one who kept catching the full force of his anger. What was wrong with her that drove Alex to reject her so quickly and in such a harsh manner? Her heart dropped. What was wrong with her besides the obvious not aging, having a tattoo that protects her from harm and being able to merge medians? Her heart broke a little more. Maybe what she should be asking is—why didn’t he do it sooner?

  She waited outside the shed as he closed the double doors and walked around the side. She followed, assuming he wanted her to and took the corner, stepping wide and was jerked back. Alex’s arms surrounded her. She fought to get away.

  “Hold still,�
�� he hissed in her ear, squeezing her tight. “Look down. See the tiny red light?”

  She followed his instruction. “I don’t see anythi…” She didn’t see anything at first. All she could think about was getting away from him, but then she caught sight of it out the corner of her eye. “A micro mine.” She stiffened. “Is Miles here?”

  “I put that there. They surround the house and shed.” He pointed to another, a little further away.

  “Why?”

  He didn’t answer her. “The mines in my apartment were on a timer, these ones are motion sensitive.”

  “What does that mean?” She looked the other way and saw another tiny red light.

  “It means if you go near them, and they detect the movement, they will explode.”

  “What if something happens and help comes. They will kill innocent people.”

  “No. It will be over by then.” His breath warmed her neck. “They have an auto shut off for four hours. They’ve been on about an hour, so do not go past the trees on either side of the house or past the shed.” He wasn’t holding her as tight now. His fingers were gentle as he held her and his mouth kept brushing her ear.

  Closing her eyes, she tried to ignore the heat that warmed her. Alex’s heat. God, she was hurting and him holding her only made it worse. She pushed away feeling her throat close up and whispered, “Okay.”

  She walked carefully to the front of the shed and towards the house. She could hear Alex enter the house behind her and close the door. She jumped when he spoke right behind her.

  “Come into the basement and I’ll show you the door.”

  She followed him again and he showed her the door to the tunnel. She should have known it wouldn’t be an actual door. Alex had an incredible imagination when it came to secret entrances. The entrance to the tunnel was hidden behind a set of shelves that collapsed in on themselves, folding down when they were moved along the wall. She peered down the dimly lit passageway and could see nothing but shadows.