Dani slammed her hand on the metal table and the chains on her wrist made a metallic sound on the surface. “Yeah? Stasia was a trick and still didn’t know what to do. Fucking idiots always want the sweet ones. She wasn’t as smart as you think. Do you know how easy I used her to get shit? Cigarettes, drinks, rides in cars, I was practically her pimp. Two steps away from her turning tricks for me and keeping the money from that pussy.”
Bryce felt his anger rise at her words and clenched his hands under the table to restrain himself. He knew that Dani was evil but didn’t know to what extent. If they had gotten away scot-free that night he had no doubt she’d be trying to make Stasia turn tricks soon after. Stasia was his now and the thought of someone else touching her was more than he wanted to ever think about. He wanted to be the only one and to wipe all other men from her memory over the last twelve years. Dani wasn’t done raging so he focused his attention back on her.
“And fuck your evidence, Bryce. Fuck you, Kim, Cole, all of you. There is no fucking evidence,” Dani shouted. “My brother worked for the old pervert stocking shelves, and two nights before he cut the wires on that fucking camera!”
“So you had this planned two nights ahead of time?” Bryce laughed. “I doubt you had the smarts to do anything of the sort.”
“I was the brains of that group. Those pantywaist fuckers thought sneaking out and drinking was being bad, well, I showed them different,” Dani sneered. “When we went in there and Stasia started flirting, I pulled the gun and, hell, I had no problem shooting the fucker for the cash in that drawer.”
“So you had the gun? I thought Stasia did.” Cole laughed. “She wants to take Stasia’s street cred. She should have the tattoos, not you.”
“Like Stasia would know which end of a gun the bullet comes out,” Dani snapped. “Little pious, praying schoolgirl didn’t even know how to suck a cock.”
“Got that, Cole?” Bryce said calmly. “She had the gun that fired the shot and put the store-owner in the hospital for months with a colostomy bag. Stasia had nothing to do with it.”
Realization dawned on Dani’s face. “You can’t use any of the shit I said.”
“You walked in here and never asked for your lawyer, so, yes, we can,” Bryce said and leaned forward. He met Dani’s cold glare with one of his own. “So let’s break this down. Sign a confession and we’ll request you serve time concurrently and convince the district attorney to recommend ten years since you were a minor or baby psychopath when you did it. Or we take this and you do twenty on the charges we draw up. Ten seconds to make your choice or we walk. Either way, we got what we wanted.”
In the end, she opted for the confession knowing that she talked herself into a corner and a longer sentence if she didn’t. Bryce wanted the confession because now he could expedite the paperwork to clear Stasia’s name. He called her to give her the news later that night. The phone rang as he sat on his sofa waiting patiently for her to answer.
“I won’t even ask how you got my number,” she said in lieu of a hello.
“Dani confessed. You can come home,” Bryce said.
Stasia snorted. “Just like that, huh? I know that girl and that’s not her.”
“We tricked her into confessing.”
“Who’s we?”
He sighed. “Me and Cole. He’s deputy sheriff at Caldwell.”
“I should’ve known. You two were attached at the hip,” Stasia answered. “Still, I need to see the paperwork all official-like.”
“I’ll have it faxed to the police in your area,” Bryce replied.
“Nope, you’re going to bring it to me.” Stasia’s voice was stubborn and it made Bryce grit his teeth in aggravation.
“Jesus, can you stop busting my balls, Stasia? I’ve spent more time on a plane trying to find you than my feet on the ground,” Bryce said.
“First, let’s make one thing clear. You came to find me, not the other way around. Second, how would I get this paperwork, huh? I don’t have an ID with my real name on it, so I can either take a four-day bus ride or you can come back here and help me expedite getting some ID with my real name using my real social security number since the last ID I had was my driving permit when I was sixteen.” Stasia’s voice got colder with every word until he could practically feel the frost coming across the line.
“Shit, how did you survive without an ID?” he asked quietly.
“Got paid under the table and had some new acquaintances that helped me get some good, fake IDs,” Stasia said mildly. But he could still hear the hurt in her voice of her having to live like that. She continued to speak, “They’re not good enough to go through TSA, so, yeah, you need to come here and use that badge to help clear me some paths.”
“I’ll be out on the first flight I can get,” Bryce said quietly and added, “I’m sorry, Stasia.”
“For what, that I had to learn to live hard and by the skin of my teeth? Or, wait, is it because I don’t have a credit rating or a decent car or anything to show of my life for the last twelve years? That I didn’t get to go to college like I wanted and I spent several years scraping by because no one gave a damn to find the truth until your sister went missing?” she asked. “I guess you have a choice of any of those.”
“For all of it,” he said quietly. “But you could’ve walked away that night, said no to Dani.”
Stasia laughed. “Then you wouldn’t have to find Kim. She’d be in jail or dead. Even then I knew she was the weaker of the two of us and I could take the consequences better than she could. Even then I was looking out for her when you couldn’t. Yes, I could’ve walked away but I was sixteen, stupid and loyal to my friends. I learned the hard way that trust is a one-way street for me when the shit goes down. I’ll see you when you get here, Bryce, but understand this. When we find Kim, I’m leaving Caldwell in my dust and never looking back.”
“I thought you might’ve stayed,” Bryce said.
“What would ever make you think that? What’s in such a prejudiced, sanctimonious, small-minded mentality of a town?” Stasia gave a cold laugh. “See you when you get here.”
He heard the beep as the call was disconnected but kept the phone to his ear. “Me, Stasia, maybe you’d stay for me,” he said quietly. She was no longer on the line and he was alone. He knew that seeing her again would bring back old desires, needs and wants, but he never expected the realization of why he couldn’t get her out of his mind for years as he dug for the truth, why every time Kim mentioned her name he could close his eyes and still see her young, fresh and free. Back then he was too young and blind to understand what his heart was telling him. He loved Stasia and probably always would. But the town and his family had burned her. Bryce doubted she could ever see past her hurt to ever have a relationship with him. But, hell, it didn’t make him want her any less. He had to go and fall in love with the one woman he couldn’t have and one who certainly wouldn’t love him back.
Chapter Three
As the plane was halfway through its descent, the skyline of Charlotte came into view and Stasia could point out Uptown and the various landmarks. Her stomach clenched in anxiety and she had to mentally talk herself into breathing normally and not grip Bryce’s arm as he sat next to her. She would never do that, never let any of them see her sweat or make her feel ashamed.
She’d finally been vindicated and was able to come home, but she knew it would be the same as when she left. Unfortunately, it had never felt like home, and the eyes that judged her or gossiped about her were probably still there, sitting in their houses, passing judgment when they should be the last ones to cast stones. She didn’t care. She was here for one reason and then she’d be gone again. But as the plane came in for its landing, the drop in her belly wasn’t from the loss of altitude but knowing for the first time in a long time she would be on Charlotte soil. She hated it and loved it at the same time.
Amazingly enough, Bryce had gotten her an ID and had everything taken care of in two days. She even g
ot a lease for her apartment in her real name finally. Thank God Al had leased it to her four years ago. She would be leaving it as soon as she got back to Arizona for a nice condo in a better area of town. While she had packed the night before and gotten everything ready to leave, she daydreamed. First she’d take her GED and pass with flying colors before applying to a community college and start working on her elective courses. It would get her feet wet while she worked on the big time college scholarship she would be applying for. Oh, yes, she had plans to get her life back on the fast track.
Stasia would never admit it, but when she got off the phone with Bryce that night she cried and it was one hell of a tear fest. She cried for her lost childhood and all she went through but the sense of relief of never having to look over her shoulder again was the kicker. She was finally free to be who she was meant to be—Stasia Copeland. Rough around the edges but still the same girl deep down. The one who wanted a life and a career, to date and have friends she could trust and go out with and drink a glass of wine and talk about books and everything life had to offer and all of her dreams—and there were many of them.
“You know you’re excited,” Bryce leaned over in his seat and murmured in her ear. His breath and voice made her shiver.
“Being part of the mile high club? Yeah, if you want to sneak one in before the plane lands, let’s do it,” she replied and laced her tone with sex.
She was rewarded as he shifted in his seat and chuckled. “Too late for that, we’re almost on the ground. But I meant about being home.”
“I’m in Uptown, right? You didn’t put me in some Motel Six in Caldwell, I hope,” Stasia asked.
“You’ll be staying at the Holiday Inn on the corner of College and East Trade,” Bryce said.
“Really? Jamboree still there?” she asked.
“No, it’s called Cosmos now, and next door is a club called Phoenix,” Bryce replied.
Stasia rubbed her hands together. “Well, then, that sounds like a celebration to me.”
“I’m not funding a party, Stasia. You’re here to help me find Kim,” Bryce growled. She could practically see his hackles rise at the thought of her going out.
“Well, since I’m not on the clock twenty–four hours a day I can fit in some me time,” Stasia pointed out. “I came with my own play money, Bryce. You don’t have to fund any of my extracurricular activities. I may want to check out the local wildlife and see how Charlotte has changed.”
Direct hit, she thought as his body stiffened. If he thought she was all his he was so wrong. If he wanted her again he was going to work for it.
“Do what you want,” his voice was a low growl.
“Oh, I plan on it.” She snuggled back as the plane’s wheels touched the tarmac.
It took about fifteen minutes before the plane got to the gate and they were allowed to deplane. They picked up her luggage at the carousel and made their way to his car which was in the parking deck so there was no waiting for cabs.
On the drive to her hotel, she took in the landscape of Charlotte greedily. She hadn’t seen it in twelve years and it had changed considerably. Uptown now reminded her of the pictures of New York she’d seen. She could actually visit the City of Light instead of dreaming about it. There was a ticker-tape digital display with news and other information on this amazing building called the EpiCentre. It held a bunch of stores and restaurants and she wanted to explore. Stasia was convinced she would be spending many days and nights wandering, just to see what was new and what hadn’t changed.
As Bryce turned into the parking lot of the Holiday Inn, he said, “We’re here and we’ll get you checked in before we start looking for Kim.”
“Hitting the ground running, I see,” she commented. “What did the missing persons report bring to light?”
Bryce snorted. “It’s Caldwell. We could only do a BOLO for her and hope people would call in. The few that did asked about a reward first but had no real information.”
“Well, we should go to Lake Norman first. The bed and breakfast would be the first place I’d look,” Stasia said. “How come you didn’t check it out when you came home?”
“You didn’t tell me the name of the place and I didn’t think you wanted to since it is your ace in the hole,” Bryce admitted.
“I just love how you think of me,” Stasia purred sarcastically. “As if I’d put my own neck above your sister being in trouble. Wow, all these compliments may go to my head.”
He blew out a frustrated breath. “Everything I say to you seems to come out wrong.”
“I suggest you shut up then.” She walked past him into the hotel lobby.
He checked her in and then stood at the door of the room while she dropped her bags on the bed before walking out again. Bryce didn’t come in and she didn’t invite him. The night they were naked and hot in her apartment was still very fresh in her mind. She had no doubt what would happen when the two of them plus a bed came into the equation.
Back in the car, Bryce took I-four-eighty-five to Albemarle Road and then went through Concord and Huntersville to hit Lake Norman. Even the lakefront had changed and many areas that had once been wooded where they had hung out and smoked, pretending to be bad ass, was no longer there. Now the area consisted of restaurants and lakefront condos and houses. It seemed this area had become progressive. She wondered what Caldwell looked like.
“Is Ruby Houses still in Caldwell, in that fucking ditch they called property that flooded every time we had a hard rain?” she asked and heard the hardness in her voice that couldn’t be helped.
“It’s still around. They tried to build some kind of drainage system and clean up the complex.” He cleared his throat. “Honestly, it didn’t work well and anyone who could afford to move did.”
“Is my mother and sister still there?” Stasia asked.
“Yes, they are. Your sister has four kids now and she has the apartment next to your mother’s,” Bryce said quietly. “They moved upstairs to get away from the flooding instead of moving. I doubt they’ll ever move.”
“Figures. Generations in low income housing. God, I know those kids will try to get out when they get older.” She looked out the window and blinked back angry tears. I’m over this shit. I am!
“Maybe you could go help them see the light, meet your nieces and nephews,” he said.
Stasia cracked the window so the wind could dry the angry tears that had slipped from her eyes. She’d never let anyone know how hurt and scared she was when she left. Never. “I don’t think so, besides they don’t need or want to see me. Mama was quite willing to let me fry for something I didn’t do.”
“I hope you change your mind and go see them, make some peace with your past at least.” She could feel him watching her.
She refused to look at him. “Yeah, don’t worry about my past. I made peace with it long ago and buried it deep in the ground. I left its ghost there too.”
“Uh-huh,” he commented and she didn’t answer.
They were silent as they drove over the bridge that connected Lake Norman to the rest of Charlotte and the surrounding areas. Her mind drifted back to the past—the night she could taste her fear and remember like it was yesterday the deep crimson blood from the store clerk Dani had shot.
She ran through the complex, her mind swirling in every direction, and at the door her hand shook so hard she could barely get the key in the lock. She rushed inside and she had barely made it two steps before her mother threw a bag on the floor in front of her.
“Get out,” her mother said.
“Wait, what, Mama?” she said confused.
“It’s all over the news, girl. You and that whore Dani and the rich white trash shot Tyrone!” her mother screeched. “You bring all kinds of shame to this house.”
“Mama, I didn’t do it,” Stasia felt tears sting her eyes. “It was Dani, not me.”
“Yeah, well, I hope you know that rich white girl ain’t going to do one day for this,” her mother s
aid. “I’m giving you a chance to run now before I call the police on my own child.”
“Mama, you wouldn’t.” Stasia recalled the feeling of disbelief that washed over her.
“If there is a reward, I sure as hell will,” her mother retorted. “I got Malika and her baby to think about.”
“And you don’t have me to think about?” Hurt filled her voice. “I cook, I clean, I do everything, Mama, and you’d give me up even though I’m innocent?”
“You’re just like your father, girl—useless.” Her mother’s voice cut her like a knife. “Get out now. That’s all I’ll give you.”
“Then I am glad I’m like my father. He was smart enough to get out of this hell hole.” Stasia picked up the bag and the first sense of betrayal sank like a stone in her heart. "You said I bring shame to this house, Mama, but you did that all by yourself. I promise I’ll be more than you expect me to be.”
“Doubtful,” her mother scoffed.
“You’ll never know,” Stasia replied.
She’d taken her one bag and left, ran through the dark streets of Caldwell and then took the path through the woods that she knew led to the McDowell property. There, she’d climbed the white trellis to Kim’s window that she kept open for the nights Stasia’s mother decided to lock her out. Kim was in bed in the dark and sat up when Stasia crept in.
“Are you okay?” Kim asked worriedly.
“My mom kicked me out. She said the news said I shot the store clerk,” Stasia replied. “Dani did it, you know that. Why didn’t you speak up?”
“My dad whisked me out of there so fast that I couldn’t talk to anyone.” Kim shuddered. “He paid off the cops so now I wasn’t even there, so no one would believe me. Dani sold you out, Stasia.”
“Kim, what am I supposed to do? I can’t go to jail.” Stasia felt tears stream down her cheeks. “I have to run away.”
“No, you’ll stay here and I’ll hide you until we can clear your name,” Kim said firmly. “I’ll tell Bryce, he’ll help, and Cole too.”
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