Bed Of Lies

by King, Dean

  Then everything blurred. She watched the show through a veil of tears. Biting her lip with the effort not to cry out, she drew blood. She wouldn’t grace him with the sound of her voice, he wasn’t worth it. Her eyes clashed with the vivid gray of his. He smiled at her and licked his lips. Nina felt her stomach roll. She hurried to lean over the side of the chair as her stomach gave up its contents. Soon the first man returned. He untied her bounds. The show seemed to be over. Numb to all feeling, Nina’s head came up as he took her hand, and pulled her to her feet, then he led her towards a door. “Where are you taking me?”

  “He wants me to bring you into the room. It’s your turn.”

  “No!” Nina shrieked. Coming to life, she pulled away from him. She backed towards the door.

  “Listen,” he said, “I’m just doing my job.” Suddenly he paused and looked around. Nina flinched at the chill in his eyes. “You are Nina Manchester, right?”

  She inched backwards, her hands on the black walls looking for the doorknob. “What do you want?”

  “I just want to talk to you,” the blond man continued, “I’ve looked everywhere for you.” He gave a small laugh. Nina cringed when he reached for her. “I’ve waited a long time for this.”

  Eyes stretched wide, Nina screamed. Her hand hitting the doorknob, she twisted about and yanked the door open. Running down the dark hallway, she burst through the door and into the bright light of the setting sun. It almost blinded her as she ran through the parking lot. Her world tilted out of control. Nothing seemed right, her breath caught on a huge sob.

  Running as fast as her legs could carry her, Nina stumbled once but caught herself. One hand leaning on a car to her right, tears bleared her vision but she could see her car in the distance. She gulped for air, trying to clear her mind. Pushing off the car she tried not to think as she forced herself to walk the few steps it would take to get to her car. Lifting one arm, she wiped her face with her sleeve in a vain attempt to clear her vision.

  “Nina!” Rafe yelled, running to catch up with her.

  Her eyes snapped up to his, tears streamed down her face. Words stuck in her throat as fear raced through her. Turning, she ran.

  “What happened? Nina, what’s wrong?” Rafe shouted. Frowning, he caught her easily.

  Nina pulled away from him. “Don’t you touch me! Keep your filthy hands to yourself!” She stood, glaring daggers at him. “I won’t go in there with you! Not ever!”

  Rafe backed off, his hands held high. “Alright, I won’t touch you. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Tears streaked her face as she juggled her keys trying to open her car door.

  Rafe grabbed her arm, but she screamed and pulled away from him. “I said don’t you touch me!” she snarled. “You lying cheating bastard!” Her chest heaved as she cried. “I’m so stupid!” She screamed. “How could you? How could you do this to me?”

  Rafe was at a loss. She was hurt, angry. “What did I do? Tell me Nina!”

  The car door open, she turned frozen green eyes to him. “Don’t you ever bring your lies to my house again. You contaminated everything I love! I don’t ever want to see you again.” She got into the car and sped away.

  FOURTEEN

  “Mother!” Rafe shouted as he hurried through the silent house.

  “Mother!”

  “She’s not here,” Frank came from around the corner. “What is it big brother?”

  “Frank, damn I’m fuck.” Rafe went into the study throwing himself down on the couch. “When did you get back?”

  “What do you mean you’re fuck? It’s fucked or fucked up. You never could curse right.” Rafe shot him a narrow look. “What happened? Who fucked you?”

  “Will you leave off with that damned fake accent! You’re not in Spain any more.” Rafe put his head in his hands. “What took you so long getting back here? I could be dead by now.”

  “I knew you were okay. So I took my time, I had some loose ends to tiddy up.”

  “What ever, my girl won’t see me. She won’t even talk to me. It’s been two days, I called her, went by her house, I even went to the office to try and talk to her, ready to tell her everything, only to find she’s taken two weeks off.”

  “What makes you think it has something to do with you? Maybe she just decided she needed time alone. You know women, one day they love you, the next they don’t.” Frank shrugged and threw himself down on the opposite couch. Then he tossed his feet up on the armrest, careful not to spill a drop of the drink he held in his hand.

  “I went to her house, even the kids are angry. They stand in the windows glaring at me. What the hell could I have done?”

  “Maybe it’s like I said. She changed her mind about you. All women are whores at heart, you know.” Frank stared into his drink.

  “Please stop comparing Nina to your ex-wife. Diane was a bitch, Nina is not. You’ll never find a sweeter, more lovable person...” Rafe bit out from his seat on the couch.

  “Good grief, you make her sound like a pet.” Frank sneered, his eyes drifted shut as he leaned his head back against the arm of the couch.

  “Shut up Frank! You couldn’t touch Nina’s skirt, let alone look at her.” Rafe got up, his face hard. Hands clasped behind his back, he began pacing the study.

  “Oh, so now this saint is too good for me, is she?” Frank slanted a cool look at Rafe.

  “Yes. You better not touch her, either. We may look alike, but Nina would tell the difference.” Rafe stood and glared at his twin.

  Frank raised a black brow. “You think so, big brother? You really think she could tell identical twins apart?”

  “Yes,” Rafe snapped, turning away from him.

  “We’ll see.” A crooked grin on his firm lips, Frank gave Rafe the once–over, then laughed. “You want to bet on it?”

  “I don’t have time for this. Tell mother I’m looking for her.” Rafe hurried from the room and out the front door.

  *****

  A week passed and still the pain wouldn't leave. It would be a part of her all her life, of that she was sure. Sitting curled up on the window seat in her bedroom, Nina stared out the window. It was time for school again. Some of the trees had actually changed colors, as much as trees could change in Houston. A small sad smiled touched her lips as she watched the boys run after each other, playing in the back yard below. It was time to think about getting the kids ready to start the new school year.

  “How could I've been so wrong?” She squeezed her eyes tight, allowing the tears to run unchecked down her cheeks. “I would’ve known if he were that sort, wouldn’t I?” Nina looked up as a hand rested on her shoulder. It was Miranda. She wanted to hold the tears back, but they flowed. She leaned her hot, wet, cheek into that cool comforting hand, and the dam burst again as it had over and over since his heart wrenching betrayal.

  Miranda sat down next to Nina, “I came as soon as Beth called.” She lifted Nina’s chin to wipe at her tears. “What’s this I hear about you not eating and crying all the time? Tell me what happened.” She gently pulled Nina into her arms when it looked as if she would get no response. “There, there.” Miranda rocked her, rubbing soothing circles up and down Nina’s back. “You’re scaring the children. Tell me what’s wrong, puss...”

  “I loved him, Miranda.” Those words were pulled from the depths of her soul. Nina tried again, her words staggered on her tears. “I lo…ve hi...m st...ill. How cou…ld he do this to me? I feel so lost, so helpless. You were right.” Her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. “Why do I feel so stupid? I feel as if… I need you Miranda. Help me. I'm so lost. What do I do?”

  “Ssh, ssh honey, calm down. Tell me what happened.” Miranda noticed Beth standing beside her. Her mind warred over whether or not to let the child stay. But the look on Beth’s face made up her mind for her.

  Beth knelt next to Nina, tears streaming down her cheeks as she brushed her mother’s wet hair back from her face. “Mama please? What’s wrong?
”

  Nina calmed slightly, her red rimmed eyes on Miranda. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

  “Nina, please, you have to tell me.” Miranda tried, again Nina shook her head.

  Miranda looked at Beth. She let go of Nina’s hands and took Beth’s hands. “Honey,” Miranda said, “I need to talk to your mother. I want you to go keep an eye on the boys.”

  “No,” Beth pulled her hands away. “She needs me. I’m not leaving.”

  “If you don’t leave, she may never tell me what happened. You are a young adult, but there are some things you still can’t hear.”

  Beth looked at Nina with a deep frown. “We don’t have any secrets.”

  “Beth please,” Miranda said.

  “Mama, do you want me to go?”

  On a shuttering sigh, Nina gave a miserable nod. Beth threw back her shoulders and marched from the room, she slammed the door on her way out.

  Miranda went back to Nina. “Now, what happened?”

  Her lips quivered as she spoke. “He asked me to meet him at that disgusting club, and I did. Only he had me tied to a chair, made me watch as he...” Nina turned her face away from Miranda to stare out the window, the bright sunlight belying all her heartache, all her pain, as the tears continued to flow. “As he broke my heart. Right there in front of me, he had sex with two women. He said he loved me, Miranda. He once said he loved me, downstairs in the kitchen. He made me believe that I’d finally found peace, that happiness was within my grasp.”

  Miranda knew Rafe would never do something like that. She vowed right then and there that club had seen it’s last days. But she had to ask. “The place where you two met?”

  “It’s called the Dream Makers. It claims to make all your certain dreams come true. Well, it turned my dreams into nightmares. That’s where I met him. I should’ve known! I was there by accident but apparently he was there by design. If I had just thought about it, I would've never fallen in love with him. I would've never ever let him get close to my children. Oh god, they all liked him. Have I broken their hearts too?”

  “Honey I can’t follow you. I don’t know what you’re saying. You’re jumping from one thing to the next. Just calm down. I think you need to get something to eat then we can talk.” Miranda tried to think but first she needed to get Nina to bed.

  Suddenly the door burst open. They all turned to see Rafe standing in the doorway.

  Nina steeled herself and stood to face him. “What are you doing here?” she demanded with as much pride as she could muster. “Get out!”

  “I’m tired of waiting to see if you’ll come to your senses.” Rafe walked into the room. Barely inches from her, he stopped and looked into her tear-stained and haunted eyes. He cringed. Dark circles had formed under her beautiful eyes. Her cheeks were sunken and hollow. She looked as if she hadn't slept in days. Her beautiful hair hung in tangles around her sad face.

  He couldn't stand it. The urge to pull her into his arms was so strong that he reached out for her. His teeth clenched when she jumped away from him. Swallowing hard, Rafe cleared his throat. “Tell me what I’ve done. I need to know so that I can fix it. The last time we were together we were declaring our love for each other. What are you saying now? That you hate me, is that it?”

  “I wish I could hate you.” She breathed on a sob and looked away from him.

  Rafe stepped closer to her, he caught her chin in his hand, but Beth was there, pushing at his chest.

  Her young face red with anger, her blue eyes hard as polished sapphires. “Don’t you touch her!” She screamed. “You bastard! How could you do that to her?”

  Rafe caught her arms, setting her out of his way. But Beth wouldn't have it. “You better not touch her, you liar!” She refused to move. “I knew you were no good!” She jabbed his chest with one thin finger. “You and your slick words. Well it’s over! Do you hear me? It’s over!”

  Nina was stunned by Beth’s language. “Please baby! Beth, stop it!”

  Rafe caught the furious girl’s arms and shifted her to the side. “This is between your mother and me. Step aside, child.”

  Beth saw red. “How could you? How could you do that to her? I hate you! Do you hear me? I hate you!” Tears streamed down Beth’s face as she pushed at his hands. “Don’t you ever come back here! Not ever!”

  Miranda couldn't watch Beth’s pain. “Rafe, let that child go!” Her own eyes tearing up.

  “Beth, stop it!” Nina cried as she caught Beth’s hands.

  “No, I won’t let him touch you!” She cried. “You broke her heart. I wasn’t there to help her before, but I’m here now and no one will ever hurt her again!” Beth stared daggers at him.

  Rafe held in a frustrated sigh. “If you don’t stop this right now, I’ll have to lock you out of here,” he threatened Beth.

  “You’re not locking her anywhere!” Nina shouted. She pulled Beth’s arms. “Beth you have to stop this!” Beth froze, looking at her, her chest heaving with the force of her anger.

  Rafe released the breath he had been holding as Beth burrowed into Nina’s arms.

  “Rafe,” Nina said, “you need to leave.”

  “Nina, please don’t do this to us. I have to know what I’ve done.” He pleaded, ready to do anything to save what they had.

  “Get out!” Nina screamed. “Get out now.”

  “No, honey, I can’t leave you like this.” Rafe tried to reason with her.

  “You can and you will.” She stormed. “I don’t ever want to see you again.”

  Miranda grabbed Rafe’s arm pulling him from the room. “You better go,” she said. When they were closer to the door she whispered, “I’ll call you tonight when I find out what happened.”

  Rafe nodded tightly. With one last look at Nina, he stomped off.

  *****

  Later that night, after hearing what his mother had to say, Rafe rushed over to the club and spoke to Ben’s cousin. It seems Peter had his job back.

  It was late. Rafe knew where he could find Frank. Bursting into a bedroom on the second floor of Miranda’s house, he yelled. “Frank! Goddamn you, Frank! Where the hell are you?” He roamed the room until his twin came out of the bathroom half-dressed. He was wearing black slacks and an unbuttoned black silk shirt. Obviously he was on his way out.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Frank yelled, his hair still wet from the shower.

  Rafe grabbed him by the shirt. “Why did you do it? You are such a bastard! Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

  Frank sighed, rolling his eyes. “I have no clue what you’re raving about.”

  Rafe shoved his brother away from him. “Just tell me why you did it. That’s all I want to know. Then I’ll go.”

  “Get the fuck out of here, Rafe! I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Frank turned to go back into the bathroom. Rafe dove at him, they both went crashing to the floor. Grabbing handfuls of Frank’s shirt Rafe shook him hard.

  “You’ll pay for this, you'll pay dearly!”

  Frank brought his hand up and one fist crashed into Rafe stomach. The fight was on.

  The commotion caused Miranda to rush into the bedroom. She stopped, stunned by the sight which greeted her: her sons circled one another, both growling like rabid dogs.

  “Stop this you two! Stop this right now!” Miranda hurried to stand between them. “What is wrong with the two of you?”

  Rafe was livid. “Mother, he went to the club pretending to be me. I won’t tell you the rest, but he’s the reason Nina hates me right now!”

  “Ha! You wish you could blame that on me!” Frank gloated. “You probably did it and found out she didn’t like that kind of thing, so you have to shift the blame. It wouldn’t be the first time you’ve done it!” Frank wiped at the blood that trickled down his chin.

  Miranda didn't want to take sides, but she knew her sons. She knew what Frank was capable of. Turning defeated eyes on Frank, she said. “Did you have anything to do wit
h this?”

  “Oh, for Christ sake!” Frank threw his hands up as if in defeat. “It never fails you always take his side.”

  “Answer me!” She snapped.

  “What if I did? What’re you going to do, put me over your knee and spank me?” He growled.

  “No she won’t, but I will!” Rafe dove at him again they went flying across the room.

  Miranda shook her head. “When you two want to talk like adults, I’ll be in my study.” She turned sharply, flinching as bone cracked against bone behind her.

  Miranda jumped as the door to her study was thrown open. Frank came flying through it, only to land in a heap on the floor. He bled on her Oriental rug. Rafe walked in after him, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, his clothes ripped, and bruises on his neck. Miranda sighed, it was so hard raising boys. She lifted her eyes heavenward, praying for strength.

  “Frank, get off the floor.” She turned to Rafe. “Rafe, come here. You two take your seats,”

  “Mother, we're not boys. I can hear you just fine from here.” Rafe folded his arms over his chest, determined not to move from his spot near the door. His eyes were glued on Frank, who lay on his back staring at the ceiling. His chest heaved as he drew in each pained breath.

  “I said take your seat!” Miranda commanded. “I don’t care how old you are! Frank, get up.” She stood behind her desk, waiting for them to take their places, seats which they’d used all their lives when in serious trouble.

  Slowly, each man moved to his chair. By the time they were seated, Miranda was in hers. Sitting straight, she leaned forward, her arms propped on the shiny top of her desk, her small hands clasped together in tight fists. “I’m waiting,” she said softly.

  Rafe crossed his legs so that his back was to his brother, his hand on his chin. He was still so angry that he didn’t know if he could talk.

  “I said I’m waiting. Don’t make me wait too long,” Miranda threatened.