Sobbing, I ran to the very back of the supply room and found an outside exit. I opened it and began limping away from the station, toward the forest. Just when I reached the cover of the trees, someone grabbed me around the waist and slammed me into the ground.
“Sinclair!” hollered the Pastor. “Stop!”
“No!” I cried, struggling to get away.
“Settle down,” he said, turning me over. “We have to get out of here.”
I hit him and raked my fingernails across his face as he tried grabbing my hands.
“Stop this, Sinclair!”
I grabbed his hair and pulled so hard, he gasped in pain. As he tried to remove my hand, I reached down with the other one, wrapped my fingers around his crotch and squeezed.
“Bitch!” he howled, punching me in the chin.
My face was on fire as he rolled away, but it didn’t stop me from trying to escape. I crawled away from him, got up, and started running back toward the road. When I saw a squad car pull in to the parking lot, I cried out in relief.
Chapter Twenty-six
Reed
“The car was stolen?” repeated Jesse in horror. “Who in God’s name is this freak?”
“I don’t know,” I said, sitting down next to him in the dining room. “The cops should be here shortly. Maybe they’ll know something more.”
“I’m so sorry,” sobbed Mimi as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. “I had no idea he was lying to me. No idea.”
“Mom, obviously we were all duped. It could have happened to anyone,” I said, especially to someone as gullible as her.
Jesse ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up in disarray. “What in the hell did he want with Sinclair?”
“Oh, God,” moaned Mimi. “I hope he doesn’t rape her. The poor thing.”
That had been my first thought, but hearing it spoken out loud was enough to make me want to kill the bastard who took her several times over. “Did she ever mention anyone stalking her or threatening her?” I asked Jesse.
Jesse shook his head. “No. Never. She doesn’t go out much, she isn’t dating anyone, and she pretty much keeps to herself.”
Mimi’s eyes narrowed. “I thought she was dating you?”
Jesse sighed. “We’re just friends, mother.”
Mimi leaned forward. “But I thought…”
“Jesus Christ,” I said. “You already know the answer to that. Quit lying to yourself.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” said Mimi.
“I’m gay, mom!” snapped Jesse. “Open your eyes.”
She opened her mouth but no words came out.
“Congratulations,” I said. “You should have announced it a lot sooner, though, don’t you think?”
Jesse didn’t say anything, he just stared at the fireplace in despair.
“It’ll be okay,” I told him. “We’ll find her.”
“I hope so,” he mumbled. “Sinclair doesn’t deserve this. She’s my best friend and I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
***
The cops showed up sometime after three in the morning and questioned us along with the valet who’d watched her leave with the pastor. After filling out a report and making a final search of the premises, they prepared to leave.
“That’s it?” I asked. “Isn’t there more you can do?”
One of the men, a young officer named Drake, who looked to be around Jesse’s age, shrugged. “There isn’t more we really can do at this point. She hasn’t even been missing for twenty-four hours.”
“But there’s foul play involved,” I said. “She may be dead in twenty-four hours.”
“Are you sure this friend of yours didn’t know the perp?” asked Drake.
“No, absolutely not,” said Jesse.
“Have you checked around to see if anything of value is missing?” asked the other officer. “The guy is obviously a thief.”
“The only thing valuable missing is Sinclair,” I snapped.
“Listen,” said Drake. “We’ll look into everything you’ve given us and get back to you. For now, I’d call her family and friends, to see if she’s been in contact with them.”
I nodded. “Okay, fine. But call us if you find out anything.”
“Will do,” said Drake. “We’ll check the phone company’s records, too. See if it brings us anything.”
“Okay,” I said, although the odds were that the cell phone he used was probably stolen, too.
***
Reed
I couldn’t sleep. All I could do was pace around the house and stare outside, wondering where the hell Sinclair was. It wasn’t until the sun finally rose and I had coffee in my system that I decided to try searching for her myself. I had no idea where to start, but I couldn’t sit around the house and just do nothing. I grabbed the keys to my car and started toward the front door when Jesse stopped me.
“They found her!” he hollered. “She just called me. She’s okay.”
I sighed in relief. “Thank God. Where is she?” I asked.
“Midway Hospital,” he said. “She has some minor bruises, but she’s doing fine.”
“Thank God,” I said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Twenty-seven
Sinclair
“You have visitors,” said the nurse, an older woman with kind blue eyes and salt and pepper hair.
I cleared my throat. “My parents?” I knew they were supposed to arriving within the hour.
“No, your fiancé and his brother,” she said.
I raised my eyebrows. My fiancé?
“Okay,” I said, sitting up straighter in the bed, realizing who it had to be.
A few moments later, Jesse breezed through the door with Reed following close behind, each carrying a bouquet of flowers.
“Oh, my God, Sin,” said Jesse. “Are you okay?” he asked, grabbing my hand. “I was so freakin’ worried about you.”
“I’m fine,” I answered softly. “Now, that is.”
Reed moved closer to my bed and his face darkened. “Did he do that to your face?” he asked with a tight jaw.
I touched my chin, which was still very sore. “Yes,” I said. “But I’m sure that I hurt him much worse.”
“Good,” said Reed, relaxing slightly.
“So, what happened?” asked Jesse.
I told them everything, including the fact that I’d cut the psycho man’s hair a few times and his obsession with me.
“Did they catch him?” asked Jesse, chewing on his lower lip.
I shook my head. “No, unfortunately he escaped and they’re still looking for him.”
“You’re kidding,” gasped Jesse. “He’s still at large?”
I nodded. “Apparently. They traced him back to the cabin where he’d held me, but I guess it’s not even his place. He must have broken in.”
“What about fingerprints?” asked Reed.
“I’m sure they’ll get some,” I said. “So, at least there’s that.”
“We were so worried about you,” said Jesse, touching my hair with tenderness. “Not knowing what had happened.”
“It was pretty scary,” I said.
“Jesse,” said Reed. “Could I have a minute alone with Sinclair?”
Jesse stood up. “I don’t know, can I trust you?” he joked.
“You can but she might not be able to,” said Reed.
I had to refrain from rolling my eyes. The fact that I’d almost interrupted him and Sela having sex in the library still angered me. I didn’t even want to hear his excuses.
“I don’t know, seeing how Sin escaped one crazy bastard, I think you’re the one who should be careful,” smiled Jesse, as he stood up and walked toward the door.
“I hear you,” said Reed, sitting down next to me.
The intensity of his gaze was disarming and I knew I had to get rid of him. I just didn’t have the strength to deal with his lies at the moment.
“Reed,” I said after Jesse had left. “Look,
I’m really tired and would just like to rest if you don’t mind.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you kicking me out?”
I licked my lips. “Well, I’m grateful that you stopped by to check on me, but I’d just like to be alone for a while, until my parents show up. You know?”
He sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “I understand. I’m sorry, I just wanted to –”
“Please,” I interrupted. “We can talk later, okay?”
He nodded and stood up. “Okay. How long are you going to be in the hospital?” he asked.
“They’re keeping me overnight and then my parents are going to take me home tomorrow morning.”
“I could drive you.”
I shook my head. “No, thanks.”
He frowned. “Can I at least call you?”
“Um, sure. Jesse has my number.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do I have this feeling that you’re brushing me off?”
Because I am?
“That’s ridiculous,” I lied. “I’m just exhausted and after everything that’s happened…”
“Okay, sure, I understand. Well, I’ll definitely be calling you, if that’s okay?”
“Sure,” I said, wondering how Sela would feel about that. Obviously he wouldn’t tell her.
He bent down and brought his face next to mine. “I’m sorry that this happened to you,” he said, his voice low. “If you need anything –”
“I’m fine,” I answered.
“Anything,” he continued with a stern voice. “You call me. You still have my card?”
I nodded. “I’m sure it’s with my things back at your parents’ home.”
“Actually, Jesse brought your overnight bag, it’s in the trunk.”
“Okay.”
His eyes softened and he leaned forward as if to kiss me, but I pulled away. “Please, my entire face aches.”
Reed’s eyes burned into mine before he raised his lips and kissed the top of my head. “Take care of yourself,” he said. “I will call you.”
Right. Only when his fiancée was out of town and he wanted a piece of ass.
“Okay,” I said.
***
Reed
I wasn’t sure what was going through Sinclair’s mind after everything she’d been through, but I could definitely tell she was distancing herself from me. I wasn’t going to press her about it, however.
Not yet.
I went back out into the parking lot, grabbed her overnight bag, and brought it back to the room as Jesse was saying his goodbyes.
“I’ll call you,” I said, trying to control the rage I felt inside from seeing her beautiful face so bruised and swollen. I wanted to find that bastard myself and fuck him up.
Bad.
Make him pay for what he’d done to Sinclair.
“Okay,” replied Sinclair, not quite meeting my eyes.
Sighing, I took one final look at her before I left the room. She looked so small and vulnerable in the hospital bed and I wanted nothing more than to stay and protect her. The fact that she was pushing me away was aggravating. but I certainly couldn’t be angry with her. She’d been through hell the last few hours.
“Keep your chin up,” I said. “And call me if you need to talk.”
She nodded, although it looked as if she’d already given up on having anything further to do with me. Little did she know that I didn’t give up that easily.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Sinclair
When my parents arrived at the hospital, they were obviously upset and I had to keep reassuring them that I was fine.
“You’re coming to stay with us until they catch this person,” said my mother, her eyes brimming with tears. “Promise me, Sinclair.”
“Mom,” I said, squeezing her hand. “I’m not going to let this man scare me, okay? I have a job and a life. I can’t let him take that from me.”
“Then we’ll hire a bodyguard for you,” said my father, clasping his hands in front of his round belly.
I stared at him and smiled, so happy to see them, again, even under such crazy circumstances. My parents were in their sixties and remind me of what Santa and Mrs. Claus would look like if they’d retired in Stanton – both short, round and tan with laugh lines, pug noses, and puffy white hair. My dad even had a little white beard and smokes a pipe now and again.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said.
He frowned. “Well, the police should assign one for you. That’s why we pay our taxes, isn’t it?”
“The detective I spoke with earlier said they’d probably do that,” I said. “Especially now that’s he’s killed two people. They’re going to send someone to talk to me again, tomorrow before we leave the hospital.”
My mother gasped. “Are they worried he’ll come looking for you?”
I sighed. “Well, they think he’s probably taken off, fled the city, but they don’t know for certain.”
My dad nodded. “They’d better get someone for you because I don’t want you going anywhere unescorted.”
“Dad…” I said.
“No, I’m serious. If I have to follow you around everywhere myself, I will,” he said.
Just then, a nurse knocked on the door and stepped inside. “The detective from earlier is back to see you,” she said.
“Good, send him in,” said my dad. “I want to talk to him about security, find out what they plan to do.”
I sighed. “Dad…”
“Dad nothing,” he said, bending down to pat my hand. “You’re my little jewel and I’m not going to let anyone threaten you again. Not if I can help it.”
My awesome dad had called me that since I was a baby. His little jewel. I smiled up at him.
The bald detective from earlier stepped into the room, his face much less grim than earlier. He held out his hand to my parents and introduced himself.
“Have you heard anything about this monster?” asked my dad. “Have you people found him, yet?”
The officer smiled. “Actually, that’s why I stopped back here myself, to tell you the good news.”
“Good news?” I asked, sitting up straighter.
He nodded. “Well, it appears that your attacker was killed in an automobile fire a couple of hours ago.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, shocked.
He pulled out a small pad of paper. “Yes, there was an accident involving a semi and a sedan that we believe the perp was driving at the time. The car flipped over the side of a ravine and then started on fire.”
“And you think it’s him?” asked my father.
“Well, the man was burned pretty badly but we found some forged IDs he’d hidden in a small safe in the trunk which, fortunately for us, survived the fire. One of the IDs was for a ‘Michael Richie’.”
“Oh, my God, it had to be him,” I said.
“Well, we believe it is. We’re still investigating the scene and do not really know his true identity yet, but I thought you should know,” said the detective.
“Tell us, detective, do you think it was really him?” asked my dad.
He nodded. “Personally, yeah I do. There was also a shitload of money and a prescription for Clozapine in the safe.”
“What’s Clozapine?” I asked.
“It’s used to treat Schizophrenia,” he said.
Now that made sense.
“He’s really dead…” I murmured, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from my chest. I could suddenly breathe again.
“As far as I’m concerned,” replied the detective. “Your nightmare is over.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
Sinclair
One Month Later
“Well, what do you think?” I asked Jesse as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. We were at the salon and I’d darkened his hair, this time with chocolate and caramel lowlights that really flattered his new windswept style.
He smiled. “Have to hand it to you, Sin, you know how to bring
perfection up another notch. It looks magnifico,” he said, kissing the tips of his fingers.
I laughed and removed the plastic cape from his shoulders. “I’m sure Daniel is going to love it.”
Daniel was his new Asian boyfriend. He was also gorgeous, young, and full of energy. They’d met three weeks ago at a club and were almost inseparable. Fortunately, we’d gotten to know each other a lot better the day before when I’d given him a trim. He was totally digging Jesse and the feeling seemed to be mutual.
“Oh, I know he will,” he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “We’re flying to Vegas tonight. I told you, right?”
“Only about ten times,” I said. “You two have fun and make sure to behave yourselves.”
He snorted. “Vegas is no place to behave, sweetheart. I plan on being as naughty and obnoxious as I can. Wanna join us?”
“Although I’d love to tag along and witness your mischief, I’m going to decline. Thanks, anyway.”
He put a hand on my shoulder and shook it playfully. “You really need to get out more, you know that, don’t you?”
“I’m fine,” I said. “I like my solitude.”
He sighed. “So, I wasn’t going to bring this up, but Reed says you still haven’t been returning his calls”
“I told you why,” I said, bending over to clean up the hair on the ground.
“You know he isn’t with Sela, anymore.”
“Yeah, but he’s still a player and I’m not interested in dating that kind of guy.”
Jesse smiled, wickedly. “You could just use him for sex.”
“No way,” I said. Although I couldn’t say the thought hadn’t entered my mind. Not after the way he’d affected me. I wasn’t interested in getting my heart broken, however. A man like that would be too easy to fall for.
Jesse followed me up to the register where Felicia was ringing her last customer of the day.
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