Then Came Absolution (Southern Love #3)

by E. L. Todd

  Blaise paced around the room, gripping his hair.

  “Blaise, I don’t want you to do anything. Just let it go.”

  “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?”

  “Because I knew this is how you would react!”

  “What justification is that?” he snapped. He picked up a glass and smashed it into the tile.

  “Stop,” she said as she raised her hand. “You’re scaring me.”

  He stopped in place and gripped his skull. He took deep breaths while he controlled his rage. He closed his eyes for a long time before he reopened them. When he looked at her, he still held the unbridled rage, but there was also pain. He came to her then picked her up from the chair.

  When he cradled her to his chest, she was surprised by the gesture. He was on a rampage a moment before, but now he was sensitive and caring.

  “I’m so sorry that happened to you,” he whispered into her ear. He tightened his hold on her then pressed his forehead against hers. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “It shouldn’t have happened.”

  “You’re right. But it’s okay.”

  He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. “No, it isn’t okay.”

  “Nothing happened, Blaise.”

  “I should kill him.”

  “But you won’t,” she said firmly.

  “And what makes you think that?”

  “Because I asked you not to.”

  Blaise dropped his hands. “We aren’t the same anymore, Alex. Just because you want something doesn’t mean you get it.”

  “Do you still love me?” she asked quietly.

  He stared her down but didn’t speak.

  “Then please don’t do anything. I already talked to Gabe and he apologized.”

  “And that makes everything better?” he snapped. “I knew I didn’t trust him. I was dead on about that fucker.”

  “He seemed sincere.”

  “So everyone gets forgiven but me?” He shook his head. “Just because he didn’t succeed means he’s let off the hook? If Paul hadn’t shown up, I’m sure he would have gone through with it, Alex. He isn’t your friend anymore. He never was.”

  “I know,” she said. “I made it clear that our relationship was over.”

  “And fuck no, you aren’t seeing him—especially alone.”

  “That’s fine.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest then stared at the floor. “I have somewhere to be.” He grabbed his keys from the coffee table.

  “No!” She grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

  “I’m going to get gas,” he said as he jerked his arm away.

  “Don’t lie to me, Blaise.” She grabbed him again.

  Blaise avoided her look and shook her off.

  “Look at me.”

  He still didn’t turn to her.

  “Blaise, don’t touch him. Paul already put him in the hospital.”

  Blaise rubbed the back of his neck. “If Gabe wasn’t in the morgue, Paul didn’t do his job right.”

  “Knock it off,” she said. “I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

  He turned to her. “When I ran after you months ago, you cowered away from me like you were scared. When I held your arms in place you were terrified—terrified. And now I know why. So no, you aren’t fine.”

  Alexandra placed her hand on his arm and rubbed him gently. He didn’t pull away like he did last time. Her fingers trailed down the skin then to his hand. She rubbed his knuckles before she stepped closer to him. Blaise took a deep breath but didn’t react in any other way. Alexandra pressed her face against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m fine, really. Please let it go.”

  Blaise didn’t reciprocate her affection. His arms hung by his sides, not touching her. He looked down at her.

  “Blaise?”

  “Okay,” he said quietly.

  “Promise me.”

  “My promises mean nothing, remember?”

  She pulled back and looked at him. “Give me your word.”

  “That also means nothing.”

  She glared at him. “Blaise, don’t touch Gabe. I mean it.”

  He pulled away then disappeared down the hallway.

  When she heard his bedroom door close, she knew the argument was over—for now. She cleaned up the kitchen and threw away the shards of porcelain and glass. When she reorganized the kitchen, she took a moment to study her surroundings. She imagined herself cooking breakfast in this kitchen, her children eating at the table Blaise just tossed. The daydream burned a hole in her heart. She shook the thought away and went into her own bedroom, forgetting to call Paul.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Cole opened the door, shirtless. His hair was ruffled like he’d been sleeping or doing something else. “What?”

  Blaise barged in. “I need you to do something for me.”

  Cole closed the door then crossed his arms over his chest. “What?”

  “Is Lisa here?”

  “She’s in the bedroom,” he whispered.

  Lisa’s voice carried down the hallway. “Who is it?”

  Cole sighed. “I’ll be there in a second, baby.”

  “I may not be in the mood in a second,” she snapped.

  Cole pulled Blaise into the kitchen. “What’s this about?”

  Blaise leaned against the counter. “Alexandra is staying with me for a while.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Martha had an accident. I told her not to come, but that annoying brat came anyway.”

  Cole raised an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t you want her to come?”

  “Evan told me he wants to hurt her.”

  “Shit.”

  “So I’m keeping an eye on her. But that isn’t why I’m here.”

  “And why are you?” Cole asked.

  “Alexandra just told me Gabe tried to sleep with her—against her will. If Paul hadn’t been there to interfere…” Blaise swallowed the lump in his throat. “I don’t want to think about it.”

  Cole studied his brother’s face then nodded. “How do you want to take care of it?”

  “I want to kill him,” Blaise said with a straight face. “But I don’t know where he lives. I need you to get the information out of Lisa.”

  “Are you being serious?”

  Blaise stared him down. “Do I look like I’m telling a joke?”

  Cole ran his fingers through his hair. “I know you’re upset right now, and I don’t blame you. I’d go gorilla style on a man that touched my girl. But killing him doesn’t fix anything.”

  “I disagree.”

  “Blaise, sleep on it then figure out what to do. You can always press charges, take him to court, tell everyone what happened and ruin his life. But don’t kill him.”

  “I wouldn’t get nearly as much satisfaction out of that.”

  “You would get caught,” Cole said.

  “Not if there isn’t a body. I’ll weigh it down in the creek.”

  Cole’s eyed widened. “You’re being serious….”

  Blaise met his gaze without flinching.

  “If I ask Lisa where Gabe lives, that’s automatically going to bring suspicion about.”

  “Since she’s fucking you, I’m sure she’d cover for you.”

  Cole sighed. “Let’s think about it for a few days.”

  “Cole, are you going to help me or not?”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “You shouldn’t do this.”

  “Then that’s a no.” Blaise walked back to the front door.

  “Stop,” Cole said. He grabbed him by the arm. “If this gets out of hand, you could lose everything, Blaise. And I doubt Alexandra would want this. You already lost her, but if you do this you’ll never get her back.”

  “I was never going to get her back anyway,” he said simply.

  “I can’t let you do this.”

  “If her boyfriend won’t take care of it, I will.”

&nbs
p; Cole rubbed his temples. “Let’s take a drive.”

  “I don’t have time for that.”

  “Just think about what you’re saying right now. We are talking about murder.”

  Blaise nodded. “It’s what he deserves.”

  Cole shook his head. “Mom and Dad would be so disappointed in you.”

  “Well, they’re dead,” he said coldly. “I don’t think it really matters.”

  “Do I have to hold you down and tie you up?” Cole threatened.

  “I dare you to try,” Blaise snapped.

  Cole met his gaze but didn’t move.

  “If you help me, I’ll forgive you for everything you did to me.”

  Cole raised an eyebrow. “You want me to help you kill someone?”

  “You can keep a lookout, not do the actual killing.”

  He sighed. “Alexandra will never forgive you, Blaise.”

  “I don’t give a shit.” He opened the front door. “Are you helping me or not?”

  Cole closed his eyes and thought for a moment. Indecision was etched onto his face. He paced across the entryway while he rubbed his chin. When he opened his eyes, he looked at his brother. “I’ll be right back.”

  Blaise nodded then stepped outside.

  When Cole followed him moments later, they headed to Blaise’s truck.

  “You get the address?” Blaise asked.

  “Yeah,” Cole said.

  “Was she suspicious?”

  “I said we wanted to look at some cotton at the house next door.”

  Blaise nodded. “Get her drunk when you get home so she’ll forget about everything.”

  They got into the truck then drove down the road. When the house came into sight, Blaise turned off his headlights then parked on the side of the road. His truck was loud and he didn’t want to risk being heard.

  “Does he live alone?” Blaise asked.

  Cole nodded. “I’m pretty sure he does.”

  “Then that will make this easy.”

  Cole looked in the backseat. “How are you going to do this? A gun?”

  “My bare hands.”

  He swallowed the lump in his throat.

  “Let’s go.”

  They crept toward the house. Their feet stepped across the cold grass, making a light crunching noise. When Blaise tried the door, it was locked. He inserted his knife then picked it. Cole stood there quietly, staring at his brother. When Blaise got the lock open, Cole touched his shoulder.

  “Don’t do this,” he whispered.

  Blaise jerked away. “I have to do this.” He opened the front door then crept inside. All the lights were off so it was difficult to see. Blaise moved through the kitchen then stepped down the hallway. The doors were open, and Blaise saw the empty bedroom. The one at the end of the hallway was closed. He assumed this was where Gabe was located.

  He tried the door and opened it.

  Gabe was sleeping on his side, pillows tucked around him. His steady breathing echoed across the room. Blaise stared at him for a long time, his bloodlust brewing to the surface.

  Cole came behind him and grabbed his arm.

  Blaise glared at him in annoyance. He didn’t open his mouth to speak, but he wanted to.

  Cole held up a phone then handed it to him.

  Blaise stared at it then took it. He held it to his ear. He recognized her just by the sound of her breathing. It was Alexandra.

  “Blaise, please don’t do this,” she whispered. “I’m begging you. Please.” Her voice was breaking because she was on the verge of tears. “Please.”

  Blaise kept his mouth shut but glared at his brother. Gabe was just a few feet away, oblivious to all of it.

  “I fell in love with you because of the caring and compassionate man you were. I love you so much, and I think you’re the most inspirational person I know. But please don’t drag everything through the mud. If you go through with this, you can never take it back. I know what it’s like to take a life. I don’t want that for you, Blaise. If you love me, you won’t do this. Please, please.”

  Blaise’s hand shook as he held the phone. Her beautiful voice and her pleading words made him doubt everything. It wasn’t the message that steadied him, but the pain she emitted. He was hurting her, which was the last thing he ever wanted to do. “Okay,” he whispered.

  She sniffed loudly. “Thank you. Please come home.”

  “Okay.” He hung up then looked at Cole.

  He breathed a sigh or relief then headed to the front door. Blaise closed the bedroom door behind them and they left the house. Gabe hadn’t noticed their presence at all.

  On the ride back, Cole glanced at his brother. “I’m glad you came to your senses.”

  “You shouldn’t have called her.”

  “I didn’t know what else to do.”

  Blaise sighed. “An asshole like that doesn’t deserve to live.”

  “I’m not disagreeing with that,” Cole said. “But that doesn’t mean you should land the killing blow.”

  Blaise stared at the road ahead.

  “I’m proud of you for not doing anything. I know that was hard for you.”

  He glanced at him. “You have no idea.”

  Blaise dropped his brother off before he returned to his country house. When he pulled into the driveway, he saw Alexandra sitting on the porch. She was wearing his jacket, shaking in the frigid air.

  “You should be inside,” he said simply

  She stood up then approached him. “You didn’t hurt him, right?”

  Blaise nodded.

  Alexandra breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank god.”

  “I should have killed him. He deserves it.”

  “I don’t want you to hear you say that ever again.” She looked into his eyes, showing her pain.

  “I mean it.”

  She pressed her head to his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just let it go. Nothing happened.”

  Blaise stepped away and broke the embrace. “But it could have.”

  “But it didn’t.”

  “Attempted rape isn’t much better than rape.” He glared at her. “If I ever see him with you, I won’t hesitate again.”

  “You won’t.”

  He stepped into the house and she followed behind him.

  “Promise you won’t do that again.”

  “No,” he said simply.

  “Blaise, I mean it.”

  “I promise I’ll let you know if I change my mind. That’s all I can promise you. Hopefully you can talk me off the ledge. But if you can’t, I’ll slit his throat.”

  “Don’t talk like that,” she hissed.”

  “Nobody touches my girl and gets away with it.”

  “I’m not your girl,” she whispered.

  “But you were.” He walked down the hallway to his bedroom. “Gabe is alive—for now.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “He almost killed Gabe?” Paul asked.

  She turned on her side and pulled the blankets further over her head. “Yeah. I talked him down. But I hate to imagine what would have happened if Cole hadn’t called me.”

  Paul was quiet for a while. “I wish he hadn’t called you.”

  “Paul…”

  “I don’t feel bad for saying that. And I never will.”

  She sighed. “You two are blinded by your hate.”

  “No,” he said. “We just found that behavior unacceptable. And he should die for what he did. Blaise and I are thinking clearly. You aren’t.”

  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

  Paul sighed into the phone.

  “Are you at work?”

  “I’m at my desk.”

  “I can let you go.”

  “No,” he said. “I have a few minutes.”

  “Okay.”

  “Have you seen Martha?”

  “No,” she said. “I hope she’ll be awake when I get out of bed.”

  “Has Blaise tried anything?”


  “He acts like he hates me.”

  “Good.”

  Alexandra turned on her side again. The bed was far too big for a single person. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too, baby. Hurry home.”

  “I will,” she said. “I just have to figure out what to do with Martha.”

  “You should sell the land and bring her back with you. If she really wants a job, I can find her something at the office.”

  “I think it will be harder than that,” she said sadly. “My Uncle Mike is buried on the property. I know she wants to be buried beside him.”

  “Well, I don’t know what to do about that,” Paul said. “But she can’t stop living her life because she’s too busy waiting for death.”

  “I agree.”

  “Then you should say something to her. Blaise might be able to help.”

  “Hopefully.”

  Paul turned away from the receiver and spoke to someone. “I have to go, baby.”

  “Okay. Have a good day.”

  “You too,” he said. “And keep in touch.”

  “I will.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  Paul hung up. She heard the line go dead before she put the phone on the nightstand.

  “Alex?” Blaise knocked on the door.

  She pulled on her robe before she answered the door. “Yeah?”

  He was wearing an old t-shirt and running shorts. The sweat on his neck and his forehead told her he had just been working out—and working out hard. “Martha is awake.”

  She stared at his rising chest. He was still breathing heavily like he just finished his run. “Great,” she said. “I’ll be there in a second.” She closed the door then got ready. After she changed, she went into the other guestroom.

  “Hey,” she said with a smile. She took a seat by the bedside and held Martha’s hand. “How are you feeling?”

  Martha looked at her then rolled her eyes. “You shouldn’t be here.”

  “Knock it off,” she said gently. “I’ll always be here for you, Martha.”

  “You better not stay,” she warned.

  Alexandra pulled down the bedding and looked at her leg. It was in a tight cast. “Are you in pain?”

  “A little. I think the Morphin is wearing off.”

  “I’ll get you some more.”

  “Thank you, dear.”

  Alexandra grabbed the pills on the nightstand. “So what happened?”