Like an enraged bull, Scott lunged at Dec, and they went tumbling onto the ground. Sean and I both jumped out of the way as they rolled around in the snow. Scott was unhinged and trying to kill Dec with his bare hands. Dec was struggling to get to his feet in the slippery snow. After cracking his head against the concrete, he was motivated to kick Scott’s ass. Scott landed a few really hard punches before Dec got a good grip on him and slammed his head into the concrete-just once. He was out cold and very still.
The silence was absolute.
With a grunt of annoyance, Dec wiped a hand under his nose to catch the blood that was dripping over his lip. He leaned over and caught his breath before pushing himself to stand up. Scott wasn’t moving.
“You better see if he’s dead!” I hissed to Sean.
Dec shook his head and put a hand to his skull. After a second, he nodded and got up again. Unfortunately, Scott wasn’t dead.
Dec glanced up at the other people hovering nearby and smiled what could have been a reassuring smile if it weren’t for the blood covering his pretty white teeth. He resembled a very pretty and well-fed vampire at the moment.
He said wryly, “He’ll live, people. Shit.”
Together he and Sean dragged Scott to a chair and plopped him next to his friend. Sean assured him that Scott wasn’t going to die and warned him about picking fights in bars. I suggested we go check on the girlfriend. Walking around to the front entrance, I was thinking of what I could possibly say to this girl to get her to leave without Scott.
“Damn it.” Sean’s voice was unhappy as he pulled me to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk. He was staring at something farther down the block in front of us.
“Freakin’ James!” Dec growled next to me.
He was right. There was James…leading Scott’s girlfriend by the hand and looking chummy with her. They were too far ahead of us for me to yell at them, and I looked helplessly at Sean. His mouth was set in a grim line as he watched them get into a car and drive away.
“What’s he doing?” Dec asked somewhat rhetorically.
The ride home was quiet as we were all lost in our own thoughts. Once in the house, I plopped down on a kitchen stool with my head in my hands. What was going on with James? I was so confused. Obviously we were missing something, but what?
Completely absorbed with my own thoughts, I hadn’t noticed Dec come in and wash the blood off of his face in the kitchen sink. I glanced up at him now. His white shirt was probably ruined, a casualty of the night. I was sorry to see it go. It was my favorite. It fit him really well and the color was great with his eyes. He was such a cutie. Every now and then, I nagged at him about finding a girlfriend, but he told me to save my energy. He’d do what he wanted, when he wanted. It was a shame though. He really was adorable, and I couldn’t help thinking about his kisses earlier. They were nice, but no fireworks for me. He had a beautiful expressive mouth though and someday some girl would appreciate it.
I was rudely dragged out of my reverie by a cold shower of water. “Are you nuts? What’s the matter with you?” I snapped slapping water off of my arms.
With an expression that was a cross between disgusted and amused, he gargled with mouthwash and with an arched eyebrow, pointedly spit it into the sink with a metallic splash.
“Like kissing my sister, that was.” He gargled again. “Don’t ever make me do that again.” Spitting out the last mouthful, he added, “Gross.”
“What’s gross?” Sean asked as he made his way to the fridge for a glass of water.
Amused, I answered, “Kissing me.” I puckered my lips towards Sean.
Kissing me thoroughly, he smacked his lips and said thoughtfully, “Nope, not gross.”
“You’re hilarious. I’m going to bed. I can’t think any more and my brain hurts.” I gave Dec a very sisterly hug though and a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, Dec…just like a big brother.”
“Okay, babe, get some sleep. I’m going to stay up and talk to Dec. We’ll figure some things out and talk to you in the morning.”
By the next morning, the driveway was impassable. Mother Nature had been generous with her powder and we’d gotten at least 10 inches of snow. Judging by the heavy clouds skirting the treetops, she wasn’t through with us yet. Leaning against the porch railing with a steaming cup of coffee, I watched as Domino bounded through the deep snow. Apparently she woke up this morning and thought she was Bambi. Her spotted coat stood out in sharp contrast against the brilliance of the snow as she leapt up and over the bulk of it. With ears flying and tongue lolling, she had given in to her baser instincts and romped with complete abandon. Smiling at her antics, I thought about the freedom to romp.
I wanted to romp…When was the last time I romped?
Had I ever been that free? I couldn’t remember a time that I was. I wondered if I’d ever be that carefree again…
“No smile for the snow, Princess?” a soft voice interrupted my maudlin thoughts.
Turning, I smiled absently and gestured towards the winter wonderland. “I have to go to work. I don’t think I can get out of the driveway.”
He considered that for a moment and stepped closer to me. He paused several feet away, but I felt the heat from his body. Still dressed in commando gear, he loomed larger than life and I took a small step back. With a knowing frown, he turned away from me and whistled for Domino.
With head up, she came bounding over and rubbed all over him. He was clearly worthy of her attention as her big brown eyes sparkled up into his. He brushed the snow from her coat and pressed his forehead against hers affectionately. I was surprised by the depth of love it hinted at, and a small smile formed on my own lips. By now, my coffee cup was empty, and I was shivering in my blanket. The wind was picking up and fresh snow began to fall. A sudden gust found its way under my blanket, and I reluctantly went back inside.
Sean was still asleep. Not wanting to wake him yet, I held my breath and watched him sleep from the doorway. With one arm flung above him, he was sprawled on his stomach with most of his back bare. His face was turned towards me, and my heart swelled as my eyes soaked in the features I knew so well. The turn of his cheek, the feathering of his brows, the fullness of his mouth…I knew and loved every inch of him. Breathing in a steadying breath, I had to still my pounding heart. Telling myself that he was really here and I wasn’t dreaming again, I closed my eyes against the heat building behind them. So close…so close to losing him forever. What would I have done if he’d never come back to me? Unable to stop the panic, I let the tears come…and turned towards the window to hide them from the one who should see them the most.
“Tears so early, baby?” He wrapped his arms around me and gently turned me against his chest. With a feeling of relief, I clung to him as an anchor in the storm.
“I wanted to watch you sleep…but…I wanted you to wake up and look at me. I wanted you to be real.” Leaning away, I said fiercely, “Don’t ever leave me again!”
Puzzled by my outburst, he nodded seriously and held me tightly against him. “I’m not going anywhere. You’re my world now.” He kissed me with exaggerated tenderness, and the panic in my heart quieted down again.
It was after noon and still snowing. The drifts were piling up against the house and the weather report called for another six inches today. My boss wasn't thrilled that I didn’t show up for work, but couldn’t really argue the fact that I couldn’t get out of my driveway. Still haunted by a disturbingly maudlin mood, I drifted around the house like a ghost. Everyone else settled in to wait out the snow. Dec built a huge fire in the living room and Domino curled up in front of it watching him play. He dragged out his guitar and plucked a wistful song that summoned visions of Irish maidens and dead highwaymen. Leaning against the cold window, I closed my eyes and listened to him play. As clear as a memory, I watched the handsome highwayman gunned down by the king's soldiers. The screams of the landlord’s daughter echoed through the night. I had to shake my head to clear the images f
rom an old story I’d heard somewhere along the way. Dec’s fingers tugged on my heartstrings as he plucked out the melody. I sighed and thought of Scott’s girlfriend. Every instinct told me he was a killer, but something in his eyes was different when he was with her. The cynicism was gone; they seemed warmer when he looked at her. Could we be wrong about him? I hoped we were. Sean watched me for a bit and finally handed me a cup of hot tea.
“Talk to me. I’ve never seen you like this,” he said with concern in his voice. Killian glanced up from his laptop.
Sighing heavily, I accepted the cup and touched his hand in thanks. “I’m not sure what’s wrong. I just feel…heavy, somehow. Maybe it’s just the weather, or maybe just my hormones.” I tried to lighten up a little.
Alarmed, he gripped my hand in his. “Explain that to me.”
“I don’t know, Sean. Maybe I’m pregnant?”
Dec missed a string. The discordant note hung in the air for endless seconds. All three males stared at me with undisguised horror. Sean actually sat down on the arm of the couch.
Taking pity on him, I clarified, “I’m not pregnant. I was trying to make a joke…” The severe expressions around me told me they didn’t find that even a little bit funny. “Sorry, guess that’s not funny right now.”
Cautiously, Sean said, “Is there a chance you could be pregnant?” His eyes were round with something like astonishment. Didn’t he realize that happens when you have sex? Geez.
Rolling my eyes, I said, “Well, you tell me. Can you get me pregnant? Do you, uh…have um, you know…sperm?”
No one said a word for so long that I got nervous. Sean finally shook his head and said, “I hadn’t thought of that…but I don’t think it’s possible…I don’t know. The condoms should work though.” He shrugged helplessly and glanced at Killian for help.
Killian scowled at the both of us and snorted with impatience. “There’s always a chance. I have hunting to do. I’ve been here too long.”
Without another word, he left.
Dec raised his eyebrows at that and picked up his guitar. Who knew what went on in Killian’s mind? He was an enigma on the best of days. We spent the rest of the afternoon in strained silence. Dec kept looking at my stomach until I snapped at him and threatened to break his nose if he didn’t stop.
“For the last time, I am not pregnant! I promise if I was, you two would be the first to know.” I stomped back to the bedroom after that little outburst.
A tap at the door woke me out of a fuzzy dream. I snuggled deeper into my blanket not willing to let go of the softness of the dream. In it, I stood on a heather-covered slope with my hair whipping behind me. The sun warmed my face as I breathed in the salty air. The ocean crashed against the rocks and I watched as…The tapping came again and this time Sean opened the door and came inside.
“Mica? I hate to wake you up, but we need you.” His voice sounded strained so I sat up and rubbed some life into my eyes as the dream drifted away.
His own eyes burned cobalt, and he was all but vibrating with the desire to fly out of here. It was a small miracle that he even knocked on the door.
“What’s going on?”
Taking my hand, he practically dragged me back to the living room where Dec was pacing in front of the windows. When he saw me, his mouth tightened into a line and he stopped pacing. I hesitated as a feeling of dread began to creep up on me. Judging by the looks on their faces, it was pretty bad. I glanced between them and then noticed the TV remote lying on the coffee table. A lump formed in my throat sending me into a coughing fit.
Tensing for the worst, I begged, “Please tell me you were watching the weather.”
Sean answered for both of them. “No. I’m afraid not.” His eyes were bleak, but he continued, “Her name was Lia.”
Shaken to the core, I whispered, “No, not her. Please tell me this isn’t Scott’s girl!” Neither would say that. Her little heart-shaped face swam before my eyes. She was just a baby…She was so pretty and so young…just waiting for Scott alone at the little table. She was just waiting for her man to come for her but he didn’t. He was unconscious on the patio when she left. My legs didn’t want to hold me up; I sat down heavily on the edge of the couch.
“Same as before?” I asked between my teeth, desperately clinging to logic when all I wanted to do was scream and break things.
Dec’s clenched fist crashed down on the table. “No! It was a hundred times worse. She was…” His voice broke and he sucked in a ragged breath. Squeezing his eyes shut against the images, he choked out, “She was…hacked to pieces.”
His shoulders shook with his efforts to hold it together. Shocked past words, I raised my hand to comfort him and he shrugged me off. “Don’t touch me right now,” he said between clenched teeth. He was the true avenging angel, both beautiful and frightening…deadly. I backed away.
Sean stood closer to me, but he was also tightly coiled and wanted to rip someone to shreds with his bare hands.
What happened last night?
I had no facts to back up my imagination, but I saw it clearly in my mind. Scott would’ve woken up humiliated and furious. But would he take it out on Lia? He’d been insane when he saw me with Dec on the patio. He tried to kill Dec in a murderous rage. Was he so unhinged he went after Lia and killed her in some kind of frenzy?
Oh, Jesus. This is our fault!
Our plan was to provoke him to act.
We provoked him to act all right, but this wasn’t supposed to happen! He was supposed to attack me! That son of a bitch! He was going to pay for this. Rage bubbled up from inside and I let it take over. He’d have to answer for what he’s done. That poor girl! As sorry as I felt for her, now wasn’t the time for crying; I’d cry later. Right now I need to stay in control and do what needs to be done.
And that means taking him out.
Now.
Heading to the door, I said, “Let’s go hunting.” I was out of the door and in the driver’s seat before the two of them could stop me. I gunned the engine as Sean jumped in the front seat. Dec climbed in the back.
The ride into town was tense. They were absorbed in their own thoughts again, and I was intensely focused on not killing us on the slippery roads. They were a mess, but the SUV had good tires so we only slid a little bit. Driving carefully, it took us 30 minutes to get to Scott’s apartment by the lake. The SUV slid the last 10 feet into the side of a dumpster. The shattering of the headlight echoed in the stillness. On autopilot now, I jumped out and strode across the parking lot towards the door. I slowed down long enough to pull my Sig from my holster and wait for them to catch up. We were only a few yards from the apartment when the muffled blast of a shotgun froze us in place. Sprinting the last few feet, Sean and Dec hit the door with their shoulders. The flimsy door splintered off its hinges. The acrid smell of gunpowder hit me as soon as I ran into the room. As bad as it was, it couldn’t mask the gagging reek of alcohol that hung over the room like a toxic fog. The floor was littered with empty tequila bottles.
Scott was lying slumped over on the mattress. A sawed off shotgun lay next to him on top of an empty bottle. His head lolled against his chest, and I was sure he was dead until he moaned. Looking more closely, I realized that his head was intact. Gently pushing his head back, I gasped. Oh, my God! Sean and Dec looked away, lips pressed tightly together.
The 12-gauge had blown apart the center of his abdomen, shredding his intestines and several major arteries. The overpowering smell of pumping blood made me light headed. Jamming my hand against my mouth to keep from vomiting, I pressed a pillow against the gaping hole to stop the bleeding.
It wouldn’t be an easy death.
“Hang in there. Help is coming.” Dec went outside to call 911.
Sean squatted by the side of the bed and said, “Man, what happened?”
Scott wheezed, “Missed…” He tried to joke, but his face twisted in pain. “Fuck, it hurts.” Eyes glazed with pain and tequila, his breathing was shall
ow. It wouldn’t be long now.
Blindly he groped for my hand with more strength than I thought possible. “Lia?” His eyes searched for her, but she was already gone…
“Lia?”
Sean’s expression was compassionate as he looked at the dying man. He nudged me and mouthed, “Be Lia” to me.
Squeezing his hands in my own, I said, “I'm here. We’re going to stop the bleeding. Hang in there. You’re going to be okay.” I was babbling now, but I didn’t know what else to say.
I had wanted him gone for so long, but now I was frantically trying to keep him alive. I’d wished him dead before, but now…
“No,” he rasped. “Don’t…save me. Need to…die.” A single tear ran down the side of his face.
The light in his eyes dimmed and I said, “No, no, you have to hold on!”
Sean reached over and laid his hand on mine. My hand shook as I crushed Scott’s, trying to force him to cling to life by not letting go of him.
Scott’s voice was barely a whisper, “So…sorry…Lia…my girl.” He drew in a ragged breath and the sound gurgled ominously. Bright red blood ran from the corner of his mouth, and I wiped it with my shirt.
Sean leaned over and asked urgently, “Why did you kill her, Scott?” His ear was close to Scott’s mouth trying to hear anything he said. The sirens screamed outside the apartment now. They drowned out the faint whispers making it nearly impossible to understand him when he answered Sean.
Suddenly agitated, he slurred and tried to lift himself up, “I killed…no…loved her…” His voice drifted off and he lay very still. After a second, he whispered, “Mica?” and relaxed in death.
His hooded eyes were bloodshot and shadowed but compelling even in death. Once upon a time my heart did backflips when those eyes looked into my own. Now my heart felt crushed in my chest and I struggled to breathe. He’d once been someone I cared about. He’d been worthy of my care then. He’d chosen the wrong direction for his life, but he hadn’t always been this way. Was this agonizing death justice for what he’s done?
The Lost Soul Trilogy (Primani Book 5) Page 49