by Vella Day
Chapter Seven
‡
Ready to relax after a long day, Elana put away the bottle of red wine and finished cleaning up the kitchen. She’d tried to make some low-calorie snacks but ended up tossing them in the trash. Cardboard would have tasted better and been cheaper too.
Just as she headed back to the living room to pick up a book to read, a knock sounded on her front door, and her heart skipped a beat. No one ever visited after nine. It wouldn’t be Izzy as she was busy with Rye.
“Just a minute,” Elana called.
Answering the door in a thin T-shirt without a bra wouldn’t be cool, so she ran to the bedroom and slipped on a bathrobe. Once she returned, she looked through the peephole and almost screamed. It was him!
Elana plastered her back against the door trying to decide how to handle this embarrassing situation. She wore no makeup and the robe she’d grabbed made her look shapeless.
“Elana, it’s Kalan. Please open up.”
His voice held so much pain it squeezed her heart. Without thinking what she should do, she yanked open the door. Oh, my. He was still in his uniform, looking as hot as ever. When she spotted the clenched hands and a jaw so tight it created lines around his mouth, her stomach did a somersault. “What happened?”
His hair that he usually kept tied back was now loose, yet the man couldn’t have looked sexier if he tried.
“May I come in?”
Her manners had evaporated. “Sure. Do you want a drink?” This afternoon she’d purchased a six-pack of beer on the off chance she had the nerve to invite him over.
“This isn’t a social call.”
As if all of the air had been sucked from her lungs, the delight at seeing him disappeared. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“Let’s sit down.”
Elana was barely able to move. Her mind soared. Nothing would have happened to Izzy, as she was powerful enough to stop a person—or at least in the past she’d been able to. No, it couldn’t be Izzy. Rye wouldn’t let any harm come to her.
She grabbed hold of the arm of the gold colored sofa and dropped down, motioning him to sit in the flowered armchair. “Tell me. Please.”
“I’m not sure where to begin.”
Elana sat up straighter. “Just say it.”
“I’m afraid your parents were murdered tonight.” His chest seemed to sink in a bit, and she swore his eyes turned darker.
Nothing could have prepared her for that statement. “That…that can’t be true. You m-must be mistaken. After work, I stopped over at their house. They were… fine.” Her vision blurred, and her throat tightened.
“It happened a little after six.” Kalan said.
“Are you sure? There has to be a mistake.”
Her blood sugar must have suddenly plummeted because the room began to spin, and her body shook. A convulsive sob bubbled up and Kalan jumped up and moved from his chair to the sofa to sit next to her.
He picked up her hands. “I’m so sorry. I know this is terribly hard for you. Losing one’s parents can be life altering.”
Tears dripped down her cheeks unable to choke out a response. She hadn’t realized what their deaths would mean. Sure, they had always been distant, but they had cared for her.
“Do you want me to call someone for you? Izzy perhaps,” he asked.
“No. No one. Izzy is busy,” she said finally finding her voice.
“I bet she would come if you asked her, or perhaps Mrs. Berta?”
She shook her head as the shakes turned more violent. Kalan leaned close and wrapped his arms around her for comfort, and the tears continued to stain her cheeks. Whether it was for all the things she wanted to tell them or because she’d miss them, she didn’t know. Nothing was making sense right now. How could they be dead, and murdered, no less?
Kalan rubbed her back. From the way he was holding her so firmly, it was as if he was grieving right along with her. She leaned back, knowing she looked a mess right now. Her hair was disheveled and her eyes felt as though she’d dumped a pound of sand in them. She swiped a hand across her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He looked around. “Let me get you some tissues.”
Kalan quickly retrieved them from the kitchen counter and returned. She blew her nose and dabbed the tissue under her eyes. “Thanks.”
“You sure I can’t call Izzy for you?”
“I’m sure.”
“Want a glass of water or something?”
She didn’t really want anything to drink, but Kalan seemed determined to help make things better. “I’d like that.”
Kalan had to open three cabinets before he found a glass. Once he filled it, he returned and handed it to her. The first sip helped quench her thirst. “That’s better.”
Elana still couldn’t believe this had happened. “Who found them?” There was something he wasn’t telling her. Her mom’s cook had quit a few months ago, so Elana didn’t think she’d harmed them.
“A man called it in.” He held up a hand. “Here’s the strange part. Or at least, it was strange to me when I heard it. He said he’s your brother, Brian.”
Had she not just swallowed, Kalan would be wearing the water. “I don’t have a brother.”
The whole world tilted on its axis. She hadn’t even accepted that her parents could be dead, and now he was telling her she has a brother?
“He said you’d claim that. Tomorrow, I’ll check out his story, but apparently your parents sent your older brother to a mental institution right after you were born.”
She shook her head. “Even if I believe they might have done that, why hide the fact from me?” The picture on the far wall of a waterfall began to blur and bile raced up her throat. The deceptions made her want to vomit.
“I wish I had answers for you.”
“Where’s this man now—the one who claims to be my brother?”
“He’s at his hotel in town.”
This was beyond the realm of the bizarre. She wanted to cry and grieve over this new piece of information, but her stomach was so tied up in knots that nothing was working as it should. At times, she’d believed her parents were monsters, but then they’d do something nice. Like tonight, they’d given her a present, saying the red stone reminded them of her good heart.
She furrowed her brows. “Does he know I exist?” There had to be a reason why she’d never met him.
Kalan looked away, the anguish clear on his face. “Yes.”
Why hadn’t her parents told her? If he was in town, had he tried to find her? The whole idea that a man claiming to be her brother was at her parents’ house and happened to find them murdered didn’t add up. “Did he kill them?”
If her parents had sent her away for good, she might be tempted to do them in.
“There’s no evidence that he did. When I arrived on the scene, he was trying to save your mom from bleeding out, only he wasn’t able to.”
Another sob erupted and Kalan rubbed her shoulder, helping to soothe the intense ache. “Did he say why he was there?” she choked out.
“He wanted to talk with them again.”
Numbness encased her, and her stomach threatened to revolt. Kalan once again wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. As much as she enjoyed his strength and warmth, she needed answers more than sympathy. Elana leaned back. “Why did someone kill them? They didn’t socialize. Hell, they weren’t even in town very often.” More tears streamed down her cheeks, though the grief had yet to sink in.
Kalan’s hold tightened. “I’ll figure it out. I promise.”
It almost wouldn’t matter if the criminals were caught. Her parents would still be dead. They’d never see her one flower shop turn into two and then three. Nothing she could do now would make them proud. Elana sucked in a sob, but she wasn’t sure if it was because she wouldn’t see them again, or if she no longer had time to prove to them she was worthy of their love.
Kalan sat back. “It’s my job to ask you where y
ou were around seven thirty tonight?”
Elana swiped a tear from her cheek and almost laughed. “You think I could have killed them?”
He grit his teeth. “No, never. You have a kind heart, but all relatives are suspect.”
She sniffled and tried to remember when she’d spoken with Izzy. “Check my phone records. I think Izzy and I were chatting about that time.” Hopefully, he wouldn’t ask about what.
He brushed away a lock of her tangled hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “I’m sorry, but I had to ask.”
“I know.” If he believed she might have done such a heinous act, he wouldn’t have held her.
“Listen, I would stay with you, but I have to get back to work.”
She didn’t want to burden him with thinking he needed to watch over her. “Oh, of course.” Being alone wasn’t what she needed though. “I’ll call the Bertas.”
“I’d feel better if you do.”
Her true grief had yet to sink in. “So would I.”
“How about you pack a few things and I’ll take you over there? I don’t want you to have to tell them what happened by yourself.”
He was so nice. “I’d appreciate that.”
As Elana stood, her legs gave way, but Kalan reached up in time to help ease her descent onto the sofa seat.
“Take it easy and rest a bit. There’s plenty of time to pack. I’ll stay with you for as long as you need me.”
She almost swooned at his wonderful attitude, but a wave of grief prevented it. “Thank you, again.” Elana sipped on her water, her mind spinning. “Why would someone kill them? Or did I ask you that already?”
“We suspect it was robbery.”
“Robbery? What were they after?”
“We’re not sure. We might have you look around to see what’s missing.”
Her gut cramped. She wasn’t sure she was even capable of stepping foot in the house again. It never held good memories, and with them gone, it might be worse. “They changed a lot of things after I moved out.”
“Perhaps a visit right away won’t be necessary.”
Being around Kalan was messing with her head. Breaking down in front of him had been ugly. “I need to pack.”
This time when she rose, she was able to make it to her bedroom. While she kept a suitcase in her closet, figuring out what to take overwhelmed her. She didn’t even know if Izzy’s parents were home, or how long she’d stay if they were. If she called them, she’d have to explain why she needed to come over for a few days.
Elana collapsed onto the bed and sobs wracked her body. She’d never felt so alone in her life.
“Need help?”
Elana jerked then sat up as she wiped at her cheeks. “I’m having a bit of difficulty figuring out what to pack.”
“Why not take two of everything, and then you can return in a day or two to pick up more?”
“Good idea. I guess if I need anything else, when I come to work tomorrow, I can pick up a few more things.”
Kalan sat next to her on the bed. “I’d rather you not go to work tomorrow.”
Her heart beat too fast. “Why?”
Clasping her shoulders, he leaned in close—too close—and her mind blanked for a bit.
“I want you safe. I’m not saying for sure that these people will come after you, but they were looking for something, and it’s possible they didn’t find it.”
“Whatever it is, I don’t have it, and even if they told me what they wanted, I wouldn’t know where to look. It’s been years since I lived there.” She moved out of his grasp, his presence unnerving her. “I’ll see if Anna can work all day tomorrow.”
“Good. Remember, two of everything. I’ll be in the living room when you’re ready to leave.”
For some reason, Kalan’s instructions helped, and within minutes, she was all packed. With case in hand, she stepped out of her bedroom.
Kalan jumped up from the sofa, rushed over, and lifted the suitcase from her fingers. “I’m sure if you forgot anything, Mrs. Berta or Missy can walk across the street and pick it up for you.”
“Are you always this nice?”
He smiled and a ray of sunshine lifted her spirits. “Only for a beautiful woman.”
Izzy was right. He was a playboy, but what a nice playboy he was.
Kalan helped her into his cruiser and then headed toward Wendaya Cove. He must have known where the Bertas lived because he pulled into their driveway without asking directions. Fortunately, the lights were on inside, implying they were home. Izzy’s wonderful parents were more like a mother and father to Elana than her own folks had ever been.
“Thank you for being the one to tell me what happened. Having a friend deliver the news helped ease the pain somewhat.” Having that friend also be her dream man was a bit unnerving, yet comforting at the same time.
“I wouldn’t have let anyone else do it.”
With Kalan by her side, Elana was convinced she’d make it through this.
He helped her out and when they rang the bell, Kathryn Berta answered right away.
“Elana? Kalan? Did something happen? Is Izzy okay?” Her gaze shot to the suitcase in Kalan’s hand.
“Izzy’s fine,” Elana said.
“Then come in, please.”
The large, two-story Berta house was like what a home should be—warm and welcoming. While their furniture had more of a country flair than her parents’ place, and the Berta home was full of knickknacks and photos of the family, instead of purchases from an overseas’ art gallery, it exuded safety—both for her person as well as for her heart.
For the next hour, Kalan explained as much as he could about her parents’ murders. Throughout it all, Len and Kathryn remained stoic, though Elana hadn’t expected them to grieve over her parents’ deaths. If it weren’t for Izzy, Missy, Len, and Kathryn, Elana might have ended up in an institution too.
As soon as Kalan left, Kathryn Berta called Izzy, Missy, and Teagan to let them know what had happened.
Mrs. Berta returned from her calls. “Missy is with something and can’t come over, and Izzy isn’t picking up.”
“That’s okay.” Elana wasn’t sure if she wanted to retell the story many more times.
Kalan had been gone no more than ten minutes when Teagan rushed in. Her blonde hair looked like she hadn’t combed it before rushing over, and her print shirt didn’t match her brown jeans.
“Oh, Elana, it’s my fault.” She slid down next to her on the sofa and picked up her hand. From the haunted look, and slightly yellowish tinge to her skin, Teagan had had another vision.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but nothing was your fault.”
She glanced to the side. “A few weeks ago, I had a vision that something would happen, but I didn’t say anything because it was so brief. It occurred right after that man tried to kidnap Izzy.”
The pressure in Elana’s temple nearly exploded. “What did you see?”
“As I said, it was brief—so brief in fact that I had to sit down and try to re-envision what I saw.” She looked across the room as if trying to bring back the image again. “You were surrounded by darkness. That was all at first. I tried to force my mind to bring up more of the vision, but it didn’t work.” She returned her focus back on Elana. “I realized it would occur sometime in the future, but it could happen weeks or maybe months from then.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Say that something bad could possibly occur? With no time frame, it would only cause you to be anxious. No, I didn’t want you to worry.”
It was true that if Teagan had said something bad would happen in the future, Elana would have been looking over her shoulder, doubting everything she did. Elana had no doubt that Teagan was looking out for her best interests. “I get it. I really do.”
Teagan clasped her hand. “I’m still worried about you. There’s no guarantee that the evil is gone. That’s partly why I’m here. I had another vision
this evening, only this time it was bad—like the one I had when Izzy was being held captive.”
Sludge pooled in her veins. “Are you saying the killers might come after me now?”
“I can only tell you what I saw. You’ll have to judge for yourself.”
Part of Elana didn’t want to ask, but her life depended on her knowing. “What was it?”
“I’ll explain the best I can, but it made no sense to me. I saw what looked like you standing in a field in an unknown location. Instead of you being human, though, you were made of a hard, highly polished stone. Then what looked like a twister came roaring at you, but before it could hit you, something big and fast blocked the path. Then you returned to your human form.”
Now what was she supposed to make of that?
Chapter Eight
‡
Kalan wasn’t happy about leaving Elana for a few days, but someone had to find out about Brian Stanley and whether he was capable of murder. The mental institution where Brian was treated was in Ohio, a six-hour drive from Silver Lake. While it was a long haul, it gave him time to think about a lot of things, especially Elana’s vulnerability. It weighed heavily on his mind, and the urge to protect her distracted him. If only his damned body would stop reacting when he was around her, he could come up with a plan on how to find the killer and keep her safe.
Women had always been a delightful diversion—nothing more—but ever since he’d run into Elana, his world had been turned upside down. At first, he thought it was the stress from taking over for his dad, but now he wasn’t so sure.
Mate, mine.
Kalan’s bear was making him anxious and it was pissing him off. The damn animal kept pushing and clawing at him whenever he was close to Elana or even thought about her. Kalan just wasn’t ready for a mate, which was why he kept forcing his bear to back down, shoving the whole mate thing out of his head the best he could.
As nice and wonderful as Elana was, he’d been led to believe he was destined to be with a bear shifter. Perhaps, he should just show his true self to her and watch her run away screaming. That would end their alluring relationship fast.