by Marie Wathen
“Now, if he’ll just get his ass home.”
An hour later, I’ve made a light snack and am returning to my room when I hear the front door open. I smile knowing this is finally it. Today I will do something despicable, but if it’s a success then it will end the reign of terror from this band of dope peddlers.
I place my plate and glass of wine on the nightstand before returning to the hallway. He would have seen my Jeep parked out front and will be running up to meet me so I might as well start now with my overacting job.
“Decks?” I call sweetly as I approach the doorway of my bedroom.
“You wish,” a low snarl comes down the corridor leading from the staircase.
I stop, cross my arms over my chest and widen my stance, waiting for the super bitch to do her best. Lourdes walks with purpose and a renewed determination. Maybe she got a little from Blues and it has put a renewed pep in her step. Jealousy rolls through my soul just thinking it.
“What do you want?” I ask already irritated with her presence. I hate this bitch.
In her five inch heels, she stomps straight up to me and pokes a fingernail into my right bicep. “What do I want?” She barks. “I’ll tell you what I want. It’s what I’ve wanted since the first time I laid my eyes on your disgusting face. I want you to disappear.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not going to happen. So pick something else,” I smirk and my total disregard causes the red flame of anger to flash up her neck.
“You really think you’re cute, don’t you? You may have all of them fooled, but I see you.” She narrows her eyes at me raking them up and down my body in disgust. Her bully techniques are laughable and I refuse to respond to psycho Barbie. “I know what you are and I don’t care what it takes I will remove you.” I relax my stance slightly and she paces a few steps around me. I turn, following her as she skulks passed me. I’m curious to see where this freak show is going. “You are a filthy whore. I know that you threw yourself at Ethan.” I snort at her ignorance, but with the odd distant look in her eye I don’t think she’s really aware that I’m still standing here. “He is mine,” she snarls flashing blazing blue eyes at me and I just shrug a shoulder. I guess she is lucid after all. “You are nothing to him. Do you hear me?” She stalks closer and stares directly into my eyes.
“Okay, so going against the general consensus you don’t think I’m cute, but you know who I am. Wooooh,” Making a ghostly sound I wiggle my fingers in the air. “Vanquishing the whore who threw herself at your ex is your ultimate plan. Does that about sum it up?” I finish antagonizing her with a bored glare.
“I should have stayed behind,” she mumbles.
I hold my hand up to my ear. “What was that?”
“I should have made certain.” Her eyes and features become obsidian.
Narrowing my eyes on her, I ask, “What are you talking about Lourdes? I’m trying to stay with you here, but you’re not completing your thoughts anymore.”
A flash of light moves behind her on the lower level, but with her eyes locked on me she doesn’t notice. Seeing it for myself I know that it’s the front door opening.
“You lasted entirely too long,” she states stepping closer to me. Now I begin to take her serious and scan over her searching for weapons. She just might be crazy enough to kill me.
“I warned you,” she spits. “I warned you that first night. I told you that you better keep your sticky fingers to yourself or I would deal with your thieving ass.” I arch an eyebrow up to her, but remain quiet. I think I’ve annoyed her enough…for now. “I’ve been watching you. Watching how you’ve been slinking your way through all the men. Shane was the next one in your sights. Wasn’t he?” I refuse to dignify that ridiculousness. “I blame Rad for bringing you here. If it weren’t for him you certainly wouldn’t be an issue now and all of the bullshit wouldn’t have been necessary. Fortunately we don’t have to worry about him. After getting busted with the largest shipment on the record books he’ll never see the outside of a prison cell again.” My hackles are on full alert. She is definitely suffering from a psychotic break.
“Lourdes, why don’t you go home, calm down for a little while and then when you feel better you can come back over later so that you can finish whatever this is,” I say holding my hands out signaling surrender, but really preparing for the moment her head pops off.
“No,” she screeches. Damn, I wish I had some holy water. “Don’t you ever tell me what to do! You will listen to me now.” She stares at me with ice cold eyes daring me to try patronizing her again.
“Okay…” Drawing out the word, I nod my head agreeably.
She paces over to my bedroom door and stares into the room. “When I removed him from the game you didn’t go away. You just moved along like the slut that you are, taking Decks as your next fuck toy.”
“What?” I stutter, “What do you mean you removed him?”
“I removed him. That’s all you need to know.” She states coolly, glancing over her shoulder at me with dead eyes. Is she the one who set up the bust?
“So you wanted me gone and the best way for you to do that was to remove Rad.”
“I couldn’t believe that my brother was so desperate. He stepped right into Rad’s shoes or bed rather, and you leaped at the chance. Didn’t you?”
“It didn’t happen like that Lourdes. Why don’t you talk to your brother about it?”
“My brother is a fucking idiot,” she screams. Her hands are tight fists clenching in front of her and her face is solid red from anger. I cross my arms again and after a minute of seething she finally gets control over her emotions again. For a minute. Now she’s laughing and it’s creeping me out. “Even when you told him to fuck off he saw it as a challenge, proving that he only thinks with his dick. Since getting rid of Rad didn’t make you disappear I decided to take matters into my own hands.”
Something tells me that what she is about to confess will be life-altering.
Chapter Sixty-One
A large figure looms at the top of the staircase behind Lourdes, who is completely unaware of the presence. She is still rambling along about what an idiot her brother is for hooking up with me. I don’t owe her shit for an explanation, but she’s not looking for one either.
“The Hijos were not very happy when Juan’s nephew died,” she bends an eyebrow up at me accusingly.
Shaking my head, I counter, “I had nothing to do with that boy’s death. So whatever twisted ideas you have about making me responsible you need to untangle me from it.”
“Idiot,” she laughs wickedly. “I am responsible.” If I wasn’t a trained officer my mouth would be hanging open right now. Did she just say…? “He was collateral damage, nothing more.”
“What the fuck?” I mumble.
“I don’t feel guilty about it, but I would rather have it be justifiable for a valid retaliation.” I gasp knowing that I’m looking into the face of pure evil. “I should have just stopped on that damn icy mountain to make sure that when you flew over the cliff that you actually died.”
“You?” I accuse.
“Yes, me!” She screeches angrily with wild eyes and balled up hands. “Those stupid men think they are the only ones who can get their hands dirty. My only mistake was leaving you alive on top of that fucking mountain.”
“Because of you Wise is dead,” I shout at her while stepping forward. My anger is writhing along my skin like it has a life of its own.
“Who gives a fuck? He was a traitorous cop. Good fucking riddance.” She flips her hand in the air, dismissing his life and I see red.
I reach forward, grab her by the upper arms and knock her legs out from under her. We go down to the floor together in a unified grunt and squeal. Her hands are wild, slapping, scratching and pulling at my hair and clothing. I flip her over and climb onto her back while wrestling her for her arms, which are tucked solidly under her stomach.
“Get off me,” she screeches.
“Fuck you, bit
ch.”
“Angel,” the deep voice belongs to the large body looming at the stairs, now rushing toward me and Lourdes. “Let her go.”
“Fuck you. She is a monster. And I’m not going to let her get away with this shit.” I snap on Decks, sick of everything now.
“Let me handle it,” Decks demands reaching down for her right bicep. “Get up Lourdes.” I don’t trust him, but I will give him one chance to do the right thing. Otherwise, all bets are off and I’ll toast his ass too.
“Fine,” I grunt pushing off her back and moving over toward my bedroom door. I lean back through the door frame to peek inside. I’m satisfied when I spot my small hobo bag hanging on the closet door. My throw away gun is still tucked safely inside from our trip to the Bahamas. And it’s only eight feet away from me. I will use it if I have to.
“What are you doing?” Lourdes screams at Deck while thrashing her arms wildly against his chest and arms. “Let me go!”
“What did you do Lourdes?” he bellows at her, gripping her arms tightly and drawing her up so she is looking him in the face. “Tell me now!”
“Nothing! Let me go!” she jerks away and he lets her.
“Decks, she tried to kill me,” I demand pointing a finger at Lourdes.
She straightens her clothes, runs her hands over her hair and pulls a straight face before glancing over at me. Eerily calm now she turns back to face her brother. “She attacked me. I came over to see you and that mongrel jumped on me like the wild beast she is.”
I snort, “Puh-lease! You heard everything she said. She confessed without remorse to running me off the mountain and is pissed off that I lived.” My rage is unstable, my body is tense and I stare at him expectantly.
“Why?” is all he asks her, with utter confusion set in his sad eyes.
“She’s a liar, Decks. I did no such thing,” she lies. She has taken several steps away from us, backing toward the staircase.
“You wanted her out of the way so badly that you were willing to kill her? And then you let me believe…” he trails off looking at her completely confused.
“You’re taking that bitches side?” Lourdes snarls at him, her body trembling with unleashed fury. “What happened to you? You never put anyone before me until her.” She glares at me with absolute disgust. “How could you bring her in and trust her? She’s nobody. Nothing. I am your sister!” He takes several steps toward her and she continues to retreat.
“Lourdes, you need help,” he says accusingly. Finally the right emotion emerges in his words and demeanor. His fists clench tightly at his thighs. “I told you to stay away from Angel.”
“If you had just left your dick in your pants she wouldn’t be here now. But no, you had to rescue her after Rad was busted.” Decks is only three feet away from Lourdes, her right foot on the edge of the top step. She glances down behind her before jabbing a finger in my direction while hissing, “She is beneath you!” She glares directly at me before turning her attention back to him. “You disgust me. What do you think father would say if he knew you were slumming with that trailer park trash?”
“Enough,” he yells and then clutches his arms around his stomach. “You will pay for this, Lourdes.” His words come out rushed and distorted like he’s in pain. A grotesque smile creeps along her face. “I will make you pay.” He drops to his knees still holding his midsection tightly. I rush toward him, draping my arm over his shoulder and placing my hand on his cheek.
“Fool,” she howls through a creepy laugh, “You will do nothing.” She takes a step down. “I can’t take all the credit. Your little drug habit has your mind all fucked up. It has you believing that you actually love her.” An evil laughter erupts from deep within her before she takes another step backward. “How nice it must be for you, Angel, to know that a man must be on drugs to love you.” I ignore her.
“Decks,” I tilt his face toward me and see that he is in a lot of pain. “Can you get up?” he shakes his head. “I’m calling an ambulance,” I say releasing him and standing.
“Angel, no,” he groans and then grunts as he tries to stand on his own. I reach down taking his arm and helping him to rise up all the way. No longer focused on Lourdes, I wrap my arm around his waist and escort him to his bedroom. Soon we hear the front door slam, indicating the bitch has left the building. I’ll deal with her ass later.
“Here,” I encourage helping him sit on the edge of his bed. “Lie back, I’ll grab you a cool cloth.” His chocolate eyes are pinching tightly, his fingers are turning white from squeezing them so long, and he winces as I assist him with lying back, emphasizing his pain is severe. “Okay, easy. I’ll be right back.”
I dash into his bathroom and come running back out with a wet wash cloth. I sit next to him and begin rubbing the towel over his brow. He sucks in a sharp breath like my touch is inflicting pain.
“What’s wrong?” I ask stressing over him hurting more.
“My skin feels like it’s on fire,” his voice is raspy and deep.
I shush him and take one of his hands in mine. He pulls them back to rest on his stomach. The angle is awkward so I twist around, stretch out beside him and curl up against his side. I place my free hand under my head for support while I look down over him. We stay frozen like this for an hour. His breathing slowly regulates and I can tell by the rise and fall of his chest that he is finally comfortable enough to sleep. I release a heavy sigh and then slip out of the bed. Watching him another minute, I shake my head over all the bullshit I’ve endured while on this case before leaving him resting. Once inside my bedroom I call Russ.
“I’m going to need you to put out a B.O.L.O for Lourdes,” I tell him after closing my bedroom door and walking into the bathroom.
“What has psycho Barbie done now?” he chuckles, using the nickname I made up after our initial encounter for the beautiful and deadly blonde.
“She tried to kill me,” I pause for the effect and he doesn’t disappoint. I’ve never actually known Russ to be speechless, but apparently this did the trick. “Are you still there?”
“Can you say that again?”
“She has been a very naughty girl, Russ. It wasn’t Decks or Blues who set you up and it wasn’t retaliation by the sons when I went careening over the mountain last month. She confessed it all to me and Decks overheard every word.”
“Holy shit,” he mumbles. His hand is probably covering his mouth and I can just picture how crazy-eyed he must look at this moment.
“I want her arrested for attempted murder on a police officer and if we can get it bumped up to premeditated that would be even better.”
“I’m on it,” he states. “Sam, what will you do?”
“I am finishing this damn thing. Now,” I tell him confidently.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Throughout the night Decks will run a fever one minute and the next he is consumed with body racking shakes from being too cold. Holding onto me like I’m his saving grace with his eyes pinched closed he clears his throat several time while gasping for air.
“Angel,” he groans, his voice just barely a whisper.
“Ssh, I’m here. Try to rest Decks.” I push sweaty hair away from his forehead with a mildly damp cloth.
Shaking his head slowly, he winces and murmurs, “I’m sorry…I didn’t know.” He takes a shallow, ragged breath and continues. “I would never let her hurt you…if I had known. Please Angel…if you can find a way to forgive me, please I beg you for your forgiveness.” Repeatedly through gasps and groans, he continues apologizing for Lourdes’ behavior and begging me for forgiveness. I hold back my judgment on him knowing that my plan is the priority over my personal beliefs.
“I didn’t know they would go after Wise,” he coughs, turns his head muffling several deep coughs into the bend of his arm. “I would give anything to change it all. I loved him like a brother.” He faces me with unadulterated anguish filling his nearly onyx eyes. His torment over Wise’s death reveals a deep level of humanit
y in him that I never could have fathomed almost making me forget that he is a monster with Wise’s blood on his hands. He doesn’t even appear bitter about his undercover job, a fact that shocks the hell out of me. Whispering words of encouragement through the darkest hours of the night and clenched teeth, biting back dozens of hateful responses, I managed to finally get him back to sleep about the time the sun comes up.
Now slipping down the stairs, I am more than pissed off at whomever the asshole is ringing the doorbell, thinking that an early morning wakeup call is appropriate. Pulling back the thick wooden door, my grin splits hysterically across face with unrestrained joy when I see who it is, but it falls instantly when Blues’ coarse dead eyes glower back at me. He holds me prisoner for a moment, no emotions bleeding through the coldness he is piercing me with. His large frame fills the entire doorway. His muscles are taut, stretching through the black button down shirt clinging to his massive body. My eyes roam over him from his well-defined, strong shoulders to his powerful thighs, creating a heady sensation that rushes hot through my blood and makes me sway. His thick hands that have explored every inch of my body are clasped tightly in front of him, causing my heart to clench painfully.
I am flooded with raw emotion looking at the only man I have ever loved. I want nothing more than to leap into his arms and beg him to carry me away. I ache for all of him and his sweet kisses so badly. I want to touch him, stare into his sexy blue eyes while he devours my mouth with his, get lost in his erotic embrace and tell him I was wrong for walking away from us. Then, I want to follow all of that up with confessing my undying love for him. But these thoughts are pushed away into the depths of my broken heart when his unrelenting glare shifts to complete dismissal before his eyes flick up the stairs, reminding me that we will never be allowed that relationship.