The Midnight Club

by Love, Michelle

  The food was delicious but she felt her throat closing every time she started to swallow. She felt him watching her. She put her fork down and wiped her mouth.

  “Dan, last night was a mistake. I don’t want to upset you but it was.”

  He ignored her gaze. “You’re just confused, Sarah. That will pass. Eat your breakfast.”

  She shook her head in disbelief. “Are you even going to listen to me?”

  Dan slammed his fist down on the table, stood and swept the plates from it; they shattered against the counters, food spattering everywhere. Sarah jumped up in shock, her heart thumping. Dan’s face was red, his eyes bulging out at her, fists clenched.

  “Why must you always question me?” He stepped towards her, backed her up until she was pressed against the refrigerator, feeling its handle dig into her back. She couldn’t catch her breath in the face of his overwhelming anger. He twisted a handful of her hair in his fingers, yanking on it. She gasped at the quick pain.

  “Don’t you know how much I’ve done for you? Don’t you appreciate anything?” His mouth was close to her ear now. “I fucking own you, you ungrateful little bitch.”

  Sarah was frozen. Then, just a sudden as his temper flashed, it was gone. He released her hair, blinked and his expression registered shock.

  “Oh my God…Sarah, I’m so sorry, so sorry…” He gathered her to him but she stayed tensed as he rocked her gently. “I didn’t mean any of that. Please forgive me…I’m just so concerned for you, I’m just trying to do what’s right.”

  His contrition seemed so genuine but Sarah couldn’t move. He kissed her, trying to get her to relax but she wouldn’t yield.

  “Sarah, please…let’s go to bed, let me show you how much I care for you…” His voice was tender, seductive. He slid his hands, gentle now, around her waist, kissing from her neck to her ear. She could feel his erection pressing against her. A wave of nausea rose up.

  “No. No, Dan, stop.” She pushed him away, hands flat against his chest. He stepped back and she felt a pang of guilt at the hurt in his eyes.

  “I’m sorry…I just can’t. Not with you, I’m sorry.” She turned away from him, breathed deeply.

  After a moment, he spoke. “Is this still about Isaac Quinn? The man who betrayed you? Because I seemed an adequate replacement last night or have you forgotten that we fucked? Am I just one of many?”

  She whirled around then, angry. “So now I’m a whore?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  She threw up her hands. “Well, go right ahead. Everyone else thinks I’m a whore, just like my dear old mama.”

  “I don’t think you’re a whore. I just think you used me.”

  His words, spoken in a gentle manner, stopped her. “I used you?”

  He nodded. “I know you were upset last night. Was I just the nearest warm body?”

  She sighed, exhausted. “Dan…I’m sorry but I love Isaac. If he’ll want me after this, I don’t know but I do know one thing. There is no future for you and me, Dan.”

  He stared at her for a few moments then stalked out. She heard the front door slam, shaking the whole house. She let out the breath she had been holding. The house echoed with silence again. Sarah cleaned up, moving around the kitchen slowly, grabbing the broom from the pantry, thinking about Dan’s words.

  You used me. You used me.

  Did I? She shook her head, trying to remember the other night better; she’d been so upset, so hysterical. Had she initiated it? Been so desperate for security, for someone to hold her that…no. She’d take responsibility for her part but Dan had been a willing partner.

  But you knew he would be…The thought of his cock pushing into her filled her mind and she gagged, dropping the broom and dashing up the stairs to the bathroom, where she threw up and up and up until she was dry heaving. After a while she staggered to her feet and rinsed her mouth out, glancing at her wan appearance in the mirror.

  “Who are you?” she whispered to the reflection, but it had no answer for her.

  Isaac ran the gauntlet of the press that had been camped outside his office building for the last week. The gutter press had had a field day with the news – helpfully delivered to them by Caroline Jewell – that he and Sarah had split. Gleeful headlines like “Secret Love Child Smashes Quinn Marriage After Two Weeks” and “Beauty and the Betrayer: How Isaac Quinn Lost the Love of His Life.” That last one had hit him hard. At home in the apartment, with Sarah’s clothes still hanging alongside his in the closet; her perfume bottle on the nightstand, her books mingled with his on the bookshelves, her absence seemed to echo around the apartment. He knew Molly had been right when she told him to make sure the foundation of their marriage was stable enough for Sarah to come back too but the reality was, he still wasn’t sure she would come back. If she did, how would she ever trust him again?

  Maggie, his assistant met him at the elevator, her eyes huge. “You okay, boss? God, they’re like vultures.” She squinted at him as they walked to his office. “You do look better, though. Has Sarah been in touch?”

  Isaac smiled at her. “We’ve talked. We’re working things out, she’s just taking a few days.”

  Maggie patted his shoulder. “That’s good news.”

  At his desk, Isaac called Sarah’s number as soon as he sat down. He reasoned she hadn’t said anything about not calling her. The call, however, went straight to voicemail. He left a message. “Just checking in, baby. Call me anytime…I love you.”

  He sat at his desk, flicking through his emails without much interest, when Saul came into the office, shutting the door behind him. He sat down opposite his younger brother, eyeing him.

  “Well…the prodigal son, etc. etc.” His tone was hard and Isaac nodded.

  “Yup.” He didn’t know what else to say; Saul was obviously pissed, rightly so.

  “What now?” Saul narrowed his eyes. “Another divorce? You’ve run rough-shod over that girl’s life and now this?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Isaac was annoyed now. “Yeah, I should have told her about the kid but apart from that…”

  “You’ve been thinking that the threats and attacks have been coming from Sarah’s side but what if it’s someone targeting you?”

  Isaac was confused. “Saul, it was Caroline Jewell who arranged the meeting with Clare. She and Sarah have hated each other from childhood. Caroline, who is fucking Dan Bailey, has been fucking him for months.”

  Saul nodded. “Sure but why does it follow that both things are connected?”

  Isaac shook his head, confused. “I’m not following.”

  Saul sighed in frustration. “Isaac – I’m talking about Clare. Look, I didn’t want to have to tell you this but she’s been seen – she was seen – over the past year, turning up to events where you were, with and without Sarah. The first time she saw you with Sarah was at the Friedling Benefit at the Seattle Center a couple of months ago. Sarah was attacked three days later. Didn’t she say her attacker told her that he was going to make you watch while he killed her?”

  “Exactly, he. It was a man.”

  Saul’s jaw clenched. “Who just could have easily been hired by Clare.”

  Isaac stared at his brother for a long moment. “Have you any other reason to suspect Clare than that?”

  Saul shrugged. “You were always blind to who she really was. She thought by getting pregnant, she could trap you into marriage but you didn’t take the bait. Maybe she thought she could scare Sarah off.”

  Isaac rolled his shoulders and stood. “Saul, I think you’re reaching. What about the attack on Molly? George’s murder?”

  His brother sighed. “Look, I’m just saying, you’re so focused on the ex-husband, I think you’re overlooking another avenue of investigation. Isaac?”

  “What?”

  “Clare threatened Maika once.”

  “What the hell?” Isaac was stunned. “When?”

  “A little over two months into your rela
tionship. I assume you told Clare the story of you and Maika?”

  Isaac laughed without mirth. “I thought it best. For some reason, back then, I didn’t keep secrets.”

  Saul nodded. “Well, it was when you and Clare came to dinner. Maika told me what she said, word for word, when they were talking together alone.”

  “Which was what?”

  “I’m quoting…”I want us to be close, Maika, like sisters, so I’ll say this only once. Don’t ever mess with my man again. I play dirty”.”

  “Jesus.” Isaac put his head in his hands. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

  Saul smiled. “Because Maika asked me not to. She was worried that you’d think she was a jinx on your love life. By the way, she says if you don’t get Sarah back, you’re a fool and she’ll kick your ass.”

  Isaac chuckled, sighing, shaking his head. “She’s well within her rights, I was an idiot. Look, thanks, Saul, I mean it. I had no idea Clare was so unstable, I’ll…god, I don’t know, talk to her.”

  “Might be worth mentioning to your cop friend. Anyhoo, glad you’re here, buddy. We got a big year coming up and I need your head in the game.”

  Isaac nodded, distracted, as his brother left his office. He had been stuck in the headspace of “Dan Bailey is a psycho” that he never considered that the actual threat could be coming from his life. He resisted the urge to call Sarah again – although the need to hear her voice was killing him. Instead, he called the head of QuinnCorp’s security and asked him to come to his office.

  If there was one thing he could do, was enlist an entire fleet of detectives and find out once and for all, who was threatening the life of the woman he loved.

  She walked slowly across the park to the beach, sitting on one of the large pieces of driftwood. The water, unusually calm, was an emerald mirror. A large Labrador bounded gleefully into it, chasing a ball and Sarah smiled sadly, missing Wilson, the way he used to stick his muzzle into her hand when he wanted a fuss or wanted her to throw one of his tennis balls.

  She moved down onto the sand, leaning against the wood, tucking her legs up under her chin, leaning her cheek on her knees. She felt hollow, drained. How the hell had it come to this? A week ago she was happy, married to the love of her life, ready to face head on any problem, any threat. How had she been so stupid?

  “Hey, funny face.”

  She looked up to see Finn smiling down at her. He eased down onto the sand next to her and bumped her shoulder with his.

  “Thanks for coming, Finn. I needed to talk to someone and I couldn’t think of anyone else. I need to tell you something, something I did and I need to talk it out with you.”

  Finn leaned against her then, balancing his chin on her arm. “You’re my boo, Sazzle. You can tell me anything.”

  She studied him, suddenly unsure. “Can I? Or am I using you too?”

  He looked confused. “Huh?”

  To her horror, the tears came then and she started to sob, great desiccating sobs of heartbreak. Finn wrapped his arms around her and held her, saying nothing.

  As her tears turned to gulps, she told him in halting words what had happened. Finn listened as she stammered out her fears, her desperation.

  When she finally stopped speaking, Finn gave her a minute before he spoke. “Darlin”, the thing you’ve never allowed yourself is that you’re a human, a fallible human being who makes mistakes. You think that if you’re good and perfect twenty-four-seven then people will love you. Here’s the secret: People love you anyway. You can fuck up if you want. Yeah, sleeping with Mr. Charm was a mistake,” he grinned at her, “but, god, the mistakes I’ve made, that you’re Isaac has made…it’s okay, Sarah. I’m pissed that Dan took advantage but…”

  “No, don’t do that. I’m an adult, I’ve got to take responsibility. It’s just…oh god, Finn, how the hell do I tell Isaac?”

  Finn took a deep breath in. “Just say the words. It happened. He’ll have to deal.” He looked out to the ocean. “Maybe I’m not the right person to advise you on that point.”

  “Finn, I wish I could make you happy, I wish I could give you what you think you want. But I love Isaac and I won’t lose you. I’m so sorry.”

  “You have nothing to apologize for, nothing,” he said fiercely. “I just should have figured out how I felt earlier. Isaac’s a good man, he is the one for you. I have to move on, I will move on and yes, I’m not losing you either. You are my family.”

  Sarah leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I do love you, you know.”

  Finn smiled and she was glad to see the smile reached his eyes. Only a trace of pain remained. “Love you too, shorty. Now…how about I give you a ride into the city?”

  Isaac was distracted when he pushed open the door to the apartment that evening. He dumped his bag in the hallway, scooped up some mail from the floor and was flipping through it as he walked into his living room. He didn’t see her until she spoke.

  “Isaac.”

  Sarah was standing in the middle of the room, her hands twisting nervously at the hem of her shirt, her dark hair tumbling down her shoulders, her dark eyes full of tears. Isaac dropped everything and went to her, pulling her to him and kissing her, pouring every ounce of his love into the embrace, feeling her soft lips part and respond to him then her hands on his chest pushing him away.

  “No, Isaac, don’t…please, I can’t...” she choked back a sob and his heart flipped, heartbreak and fear screaming through his body. He tried to touch her but she backed away.

  “What? What is it, love? Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  Sarah started to sob in earnest and Isaac felt his heart go out to her, such was her distress. “Isaac, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

  She was leaving him. God, no. Suddenly the big man felt his legs liquefying. “No…no, please, Sarah, don’t leave me, I love you so much.”

  She shook her head, trying to quell the tears. “No, it’s not that, I don’t want to leave you, not ever, but what I did…could you ever forgive me?”

  And then he knew. He stared at her, his expression shutting down. “You have to say it. Say the words, Sarah or I won’t believe it. Say it.” His voice was like ice.

  Sarah drew in a deep breath and when she looked into his eyes, he could see the bottomless grief in hers, the warm brown color, usually so alive and happy now sorrowful.

  “I slept with Dan. Last night.” Her voice was flat, dead. “It was a mistake, I was having a panic attack but it happened.”

  Isaac felt his heart crack wide open and then anger, rage, jealousy flooded his veins. Isaac turned and punched the wall. Hard. Sarah jumped, gave a small cry. She heard the cracking of bones, the tearing of skin. Isaac cursed, shaking out his hand. The door burst open and Isaac’s security guard stood in the door.

  “Sir?”

  “I’m fine. Go.”

  “Sir, I…”

  “Get out!” Isaac’s roar shook the windows, and, after shooting a concerned glance at a frozen Sarah, the guard left hurriedly. Isaac closed his eyes and breathed hard. The thought of Dan fucking Bailey putting his hands on her…he couldn”t, wouldn’t, believe that Sarah had been a willing partner to it.

  “Why?”

  “Isaac?”

  “Why were you upset?”

  Sarah hesitated then told him the whole story. Isaac listened, not looking at her. After she finished, there was another long silence.

  “So, you asked him to stop?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then it was rape.” He looked at her finally but she shook her head.

  “No. I could have tried harder, I was just so out of it and I was scared. It was over so quickly but, god…I feel sick to my stomach, Isaac. I would never cheat on you – it seems ridiculous to say that now.”

  “And you’re sure you heard this singing? Your mother singing?”

  “At the time but obviously…I think I’m losing it.”

  Isaac was silent then, his eyes closed, he said in a
low, broken voice. “I want to forgive you, I do, because god knows, I’ve made mistakes but I keep seeing his hands on you, thinking about him inside you…god…”

  Sarah brushed tears away from her eyes. “I think I should go.”

  Isaac nodded slowly. “I think you should.”

  It was only after she’d closed the door quietly behind her that Isaac Quinn allowed himself to break.

  Sarah made it back to the house before she fell apart. She dropped her bag and slid down onto the floor against the front door. She dragged huge breaths in trying to alleviate the crushing grief. And failed.

  It was all over. Isaac would never look at her the same; they could never go back to what they had been.

  “Sarah?”

  Dan, obviously having come in the back door, stood in the doorway to the kitchen. She stared at him with hatred and scrambled to her feet. She pushed past him into the kitchen.

  “I’m just getting my things together, Dan. I have to leave, you understand that, right?”

  Dan was silent and she turned to face him. The moronic, knowing grin on his face made her shoulders tense, irritation mixed with dread.

  “You went to see him.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you following me?”

  “Yes.”

  The blunt admission made her rock back. “What the fuck?”

  Dan stepped towards her. “I need to know where my wife is, right?”

  She was annoyed beyond fear now. “Dan, I am married to Isaac, not you anymore. You get that right or have you lost it completely?”

  “But he doesn’t want you anymore, Sarah. Not after you let me fuck you last night.”

  Sarah balled her hands into fists. “That was a mistake – how many times do you want me to say it?”

  “Don’t be silly, Sarah, there is no Isaac. We are married, we are happy – if we weren’t, what would be the point of living?”

  Oh god. The façade had dropped completely and now when she looked at him she saw only the madness, the murderous, terrifying madness.