Driftwood Cove Trilogy: Complete Series
Page 37
Before he could recover, Dalila shot Jacob in the foot to incapacitate him.
“Fuck!” he cried out in pain. Linda took advantage, releasing his grip on her and ran towards Dalila. But her move did little to change the danger of her position.
“If you two take one step toward the door, I'm shooting you both.”
Jacob was crumpled on the floor, his foot bleeding profusely, but his gun remained firmly pointed at them in his powerful hand.
“You need help, Jacob,” Linda pleaded. “And you need to go to the doctor now.”
She looked at the increasingly large puddle of blood pooling around his foot.
“I had nothing to do with your mom killing herself. You didn’t have anything to do with your mom killing herself either, so stop punishing yourself. Give me your gun. Please, Jacob. Let’s end this.”
He let out a heavy sigh and wearily smiled as he sobbed, “My mom didn’t do anything wrong. Why did she have to die? Why couldn’t my asshole dad die?” Jacob shook as he tried to keep the gun aimed at Linda. “You’re right. You have nothing to do with this Linda; I’m sorry. I just didn’t know what to do.”
“It’s okay, but Jacob, we have to hurry. Your foot.”
He was turning pale from the heavy loss of blood but ignored her just the same.
“Linda forgive me for all this. I don't know why I... maybe I just needed someone to pay. My dad... he's not around, and Tim said you... Fuck!” He hung his head shamefully. He seemed to be coming to his senses, but Dalila and Linda were cautious, scared that his sudden aberrant behavior would return.
“I'm done Linda. I promise,” Jacob held the gun sideways, offering it to Linda. “I think I'm going to pass out.”
She slowly walked towards him to take it.
“Wait,” Jacob changed, holding up his hand to stop her from coming any closer. “Can you please pass a message on to my dad?”
“Jacob, we can call him as soon as we get to the hospital. Now please, give me the gun.”
“Tell my dad that..." he said, ignoring Linda. “Tell ANTHONY ….he's responsible for murdering his whole family.”
Jacob quickly pointed the gun at his head and pulled the trigger.
“No!” Linda screamed, lunging after Jacob.
“Linda, don’t!” Dalila grabbed her and turned them both away from the grisly aftermath.
“It's too late,” she whispered. “Too late…”
19
Confidences
“An early retirement, eh Aguirre?” Ramirez laughed, shoving another giant piece of cake into his mouth like it was his own party. “Couldn’t quite tough it out with the big boys, eh?” he grunted with his mouth full.
“Yep, that's it. I can’t hang with the big boys. And judging from your belt, it looks like I’m not the only one who can't hang with big boys.” She glanced at his oversized khakis cinched tightly below his belly with a belt that he had to poke an extra hole into to make them fit.
“But by all means, have another piece of cake.”
Susie giggled behind her as Ramirez stomped off.
“I’m sure as hell not gonna miss that pompous lard ass.”
“Yeah thanks for leaving me all by myself to handle him.”
Dalila smiled at Susie regrettably. There were many things she was going to miss about working at the department; Susie included.
“It's not like I'm going to disappear, we'll still see each other,” Dalila reassured her. “Besides, you never know, the next person they hire to take my place could be a woman.” Dalila looked around, “Just make sure she doesn't meet Ramirez until she accepts the job.”
Susie laughed and gave her a hug.
“I'm going to miss working with you. You've been kind of an inspiration to me. My mentor and all...” she bit her lip, her cheeks flushing red as her eyes began to glisten.
“Now, now …we will have no tears,” Dalila hugged her tightly.
“You sure you won't change your mind?” Susie asked lightly.
“I don't know. Maybe. Who knows?” she lied.
After what had happened with Derek and now Linda, she was emotionally spent.
“I just don't have anything else to give right now. I need some time to reflect and recharge from the last two years of my life.”
A month ago, when she was in bed, back in Linda’s arms, she had decided she was going to stay and was 100% confident that Linda had felt the same way. And she probably did, but after Jacob had killed himself in front of them, Linda was emotionally rattled. Dalila had stuck around Driftwood Cove, mostly dealing with the police and Jacob’s suicide. She and Susie had managed to keep Linda’s name out of it, and the cops assumed he had killed himself to avoid being arrested for Tim’s murder, an open and shut case.
But despite the anonymity maintained for her, Linda was obsessed with finding out every detail available. At first, Dalila thought it was because Linda was still scared that the police would find out that she was Tim and Jacob’s common obsession, but after a while, Dalila realized it was more than that.
After a night of lovemaking, Linda felt distant from her, as if her mind was someplace else. It was a feeling that had been growing and growing in the past few days, but this time, as they lay shoulder to shoulder in the darkness, Dalila finally addressed it.
“I know something's wrong, Linda. Please tell me what it is,” she continued looking up at the ceiling, hoping that the lack of eye contact would help Linda feel more comfortable about sharing her feelings.
“Jacob ...his death. It's my fault. I could have helped him."
Linda spoke barely above a whisper, as if she were discussing it with herself.
“He was right. I was selfish. If I had paid more attention…” she trailed off.
“Linda, how could you have possibly known what kind of demons Jacob was carrying with him?”
“I could have asked him! Talked to him!”
“Yes and he would have lied, or at the very least, omit some rather crucial information. Like when he conveniently forgot to tell you that he saw Tim alive and then killed him.”
Even though it was a warm night, she felt Linda shiver under the covers. She slid her hand over to Linda’s and felt her pull away.
“I don't know,” Linda whispered. “There’s so much going on in my head.”
Dalila closed her eyes. Linda needed to be alone. Linda wanted her to leave, but she was too polite to say so.
“I'll be gone by the morning,” Dalila assured her, turning to look at Linda only to find the woman's eyes fix upon her.
“You don't have to go. I'll be fine,” Linda reassured her.
She smiled and gave Linda a long kiss, savoring her soft lips, knowing she might never kiss them again.
“It's okay. You've been through a lot, and I can’t expect you to make a commitment to me after all that's happened.”
Linda looked saddened, but she didn't disagree.
“It's okay. I will cherish our moments forever, Linda.”
This time, it was Linda who leaned over and kissed her passionately. “I'm sorry,” she whispered as she kissed her neck and moved down to her breasts.
Dalila closed her eyes as she felt Linda’s tongue slowly circling her hard nipples as her hands explored her belly and her hips until finally dropping her hand down below. Linda continued to kiss her breasts as her fingers explored her within, slipping in and out as her thumb gently brushed her sensitive clit. She moaned and pulled up her hips, encouraging Linda to go deeper. Dalila put her hand over Linda’s and helped bring her to a mind-blowing orgasm. They had made love all night with the intensity and passion of two people who might never see each other again. For Dalila, it was the perfect way to say good-bye.
In the morning, as Linda slept, she kept good on her promise, packed up her belongings and left. On her flight back, the thought of returning to work repelled her, and upon her return to Mexico, she paid a visit to detective Luna immediately and handed in her resignation.
“No, it has nothing to do with that. I know that even though you question my every move, you believe in me and for that, I thank you, Chief. You believed in me from the beginning, when no one else in this department would. I know you took a risk in hiring me, and for that I thank you.”
“No need to thank me, Aguirre,” Luna answered warmly, “I hire people based on ability, book smarts, and street smarts, not by what’s in their pants. I never regretted my decision either.”
He smiled at her proudly like a father.
“I hope you know that you will always have a place here, just in case you change your mind.”
Dalila smiled and stood up to shake Officer Luna’s hand, but changed her mind and hugged him instead.
* * *
“So what’s the plan now?” Susie asked as she walked Dalila back to her car.
“Well, the first thing I'm going to do is have a long vacation.” she smiled. “I bought myself a ticket to Italy. Think I’ll get fat there for a few weeks before I decide what to do.”
Dalila had enough in the bank to not have to work for the rest of her life thanks to Derek. Not only for paying for everything during their marriage but for also giving her advice (illegal tips) on a few lucrative investments.
She saw the look for worry in Susie’s face and laughed. “Get that look off your face. I’ll be fine!”
“I just don't want you to … “
“Turn into a drunk again?” Dalila finished the sentence for her. “You don't have to say it but I know that's what you're thinking. But don't worry, really. I'm okay. Linda and I had a great time but you know, some things just aren't meant to be. And I'm okay with that now. I promise. I'm happy it ended the way it ended.” she recalled their last night fondly, truly meaning what she said.
“Okay. But call me anytime if you need to alright?” Susie asked. “Can I at least take you to the airport tomorrow?”
“I would love that. Thank you!” She gave Susie a hug and kiss on the cheek, genuinely excited to start the new chapter in her life, even if she had to do it without Linda.
20
Gate 7
Dalila watched a giant 747 land heavily before pulling up slowly to the tarmac. It was the plane that would leave to take her to Italy in an hour. She sipped her coffee slowly and thought of running back to the terminal cafe to get a snack before she'd be asked to line up.
Dalila grabbed her purse and rose quickly before her cell phone buzzed. She ignored it as she reached the cafe to place her order. When the cashier gave her the total for her sandwich and chips, her phone rang again.
Dalila sighed in exasperation, ignoring it again and dug out her debit card to pay for her meal.
“I'm sorry ma’am, our machine is broken. Cash only,” the teenager behind the counter informed her. “There's an ATM around the corner by Gate 7.”
She was merely at Gate 3. Of course, she thought. They were nearly about to begin boarding her flight, and she didn't think she had enough time to walk to the ATM to get cash. As she was about to reluctantly return her sandwich, she heard a familiar voice behind her.
“That’s ok. I got it.”
It was Linda, looking stunningly beautiful in a form-fitting gray suit with a cream colored silk blouse underneath her jacket that draped over her bosom sensually. Her dark hair fell in soft waves against her face as she handed a few bills over to the cashier and grabbed her sandwich and chips back.
“Do you want a drink?” Linda’s eyes twinkled, amused by the look of shock on Dalila’s face. Dalila shook her head silently, still at a loss for words at Linda’s presence.
“Linda,” she managed to choke out. “You look amazing, but what are you…?”
She stopped short as Linda leaned in to kiss her.
“I'm about to board my plane,” she said quietly, still unsure what Linda was doing. “I thought you needed some time to be by yourself...at home."
Linda took Dalila’s face into her hands, “This is home. You are my home,” she whispered, kissing her again slowly, “and I want to be with you.”
Dalila smiled, “Do you want to be with me in Italy?”
“Sounds perfect,” Linda smiled, holding up her ticket.
“How did you..?”
"YOU'RE WELCOME!!”
Dalila looked over at the sound of another familiar voice and saw Susie standing a few feet behind them, grinning ridiculously.
“You two kids have fun!” she announced, blowing them both a kiss and laughing before walking away.
Dalila shook her head before drawing Linda in for another kiss.
“I hope you know, I'm never going to let you get away from me ever again,” she informed her.
“What a coincidence, that was my plan for you, as well.” Linda replied, kissing Dalila once again as if to seal the deal. “Come on,” Linda grabbed her hand, smiled and winked. “Let's see what kind of trouble we can get into in Italy.”
The End
Also by E.C. Towers
Starfucker Erotic Shorts Series
Confession #1: When Laney, a young Portland divorcee, searches in vain for her keys after a wet night out with the girls, her helpful neighbor steps up to ensure that she makes it to bed safely. The morning after, he invites her to join him for a relaxed Thanksgiving dinner. At the thought of facing her first holiday alone, Laney finds herself ringing his doorbell for a fun family evening. Among the friendly new faces who welcome Laney is her neighbor's stepsister, the famous Hollywood film actress, Eileen Paige.
* * *
Confession #2: For a simple Indiana girl, even a 30-mile drive seems to be a world away. Susie’s first real journey began when she boarded an airplane to London, England, where her single goal of shopping changed the moment she landed. A new friendship with her Virgin Airlines seat neighbor leads Susie on a wild first night in town, where she reluctantly ends up accepting a drink from a dashing young British Royal, Prince Harold Albert Winstrom.
* * *
Confession #3: When a famous guest professor takes the stage at the local actor’s classroom early one morning, every would-be actress in attendance sat up eagerly to listen; all except the one who had fallen fast asleep in her chair. A bout of insomnia finds Liz waking up in class, only to be corrected by the man of steel himself, Hank Cavalry.
* * *
Confession #4
COMING MAY 2014
About the Author
E.C. Towers is an erotic fiction novelist who writes from her lounge chair in a quiet coastal community on the shores of central California.
@ec_towers
ECTowers
www.ec-towers.com
totheleftpublishing@gmail.com
Driftwood Cove Trilogy
Complete Series
Copyright © 2016 by E.C. Towers
All rights reserved.
To The Left Publishing
www.totheleftpublishing@gmail.com
This is an original work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the products of the imagination of the creator or are used fictitiously. Material herein contains graphical depictions of sexually explicit situations and is intended for mature audiences only.
This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Under copyright law, if you are not the copyright owner of this work, you are forbidden to reproduce, create derivative works based on the this work, download, distribute copies of the work, or decompile this work without E.C. Towers' express written permission.
Thank You
My loving thanks to all those adventurous readers who have made it through this story, filled with the long nights of love, sweat, and tears that I poured into these characters. Hopefully, you enjoyed their journey half as much as I loved bringing it to y
ou.
As I am an independent author, relying solely on the responses of readers like you to share my books, I would be most appreciative if you would take a moment to leave critique of the story or a star rating.
All my love,
E.C. Towers