The Psychopath's Prisoner

by Darla Lark

“Tuesday.”

  Cheyenne closed the door, listening to it click. With one hand over her mouth, she squealed and jumped up and down. Did she just accept a date with her attorney? What was she doing? She just got a divorce and now she’s going on a date with him. Was it a good choice? Maybe she should call her sister and talk with her, because her head was spinning. She took a deep breath. “I’ll call Raina tomorrow,” she whispered. “I’m going to enjoy the moment on my own.”

  ~

  Raina squealed. “That’s wonderful, sis. He is so cute and has been eyeing you since the day you met.”

  “Will you stop? We’re only going out for drinks. Probably just to discuss my divorce.”

  “Like some man would invite you to go out for drinks to discuss your divorce. Really? Besides, this is one more step to you moving forward. I like Mr. O’Neill and the fact that he’s sweet on you.”

  “Lunch at his mother’s yesterday was nice. She even left so he and I could talk. Come to find out, we have a lot in common— more than what Tyler and I ever had.”

  “So you like him?” Raina asked.

  “Not like that. We can be friends without that.”

  Raina scoffed. “Yeah. Right. I know you, Chey, and I know you like him or else you wouldn’t have agreed to go out with him. You deserve to have a life and meet guys. After what you’ve been through, you deserve the life you’ve always wanted. He might be the one this time.”

  Cheyenne was taken aback. “Hold on! One date doesn’t mean marriage. After everything, I probably won’t be ready for that step for quite a while. It’s too much to think about.”

  “Maybe not, but this date is one step closer to moving on.” Suddenly, Raina’s voice sounded much more serious. “This is a good thing, sis. I’m really happy for and proud of you.”

  “Thanks. Now I have to let Gaby know so that she won’t pursue him.” Cheyenne took a deep breath and slowly let it escape. “She won’t be happy, but it’s the right thing to do.”

  “If she does get mad, and I don’t think she will in your case, she’ll get over it.”

  “I know, but telling her is the right thing to do.” Cheyenne bit her lip nervously.

  “Gabrielle’s not the kind of woman he would be interested in, but you are.”

  “So, you don’t think that I made a bad decision?”

  “Nope. I believe it’ll help you recover from your divorce and realize that there are other men out there. There is someone else out there for you. Look at me and my divorce from Jacob. Then I found Aiden.”

  “Why do I still feel…?” She paused to find the right word. “Why do I have all these emotions running through me? Part of me still loves Tyler. When I saw him the other day, that small part of me wanted to throw myself into his arms. I know it sounds pathetic, but I couldn’t help it.”

  Raina sighed. “It’s normal. Trust me. Been there, done that. Look, sis, it’s okay to put yourself back out there.”

  “You’re right. I won’t think too much into it.”

  “Of course I’m right. I’m always right.”

  “You keep telling yourself that,” Cheyenne joked. “Anyway, I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Why don’t you come over for dinner?” Raina pleaded. “You never come over any more. Your niece and nephew miss you.”

  “I’ll have to take a rain check. I have to work on my book or my agent will be breathing down my neck.”

  Raina, exasperated, said, “Suit yourself. You’re missing out.”

  “I know you’re a good cook, but I really have a lot of work to do. Maybe next time.”

  “All right, but you’re missing out on veal parmesan and green beans.”

  “Sounds wonderful, but no. Sorry.” Cheyenne licked her lips at the thought of the food.

  “Okay. Talk to you later.” Raina hung up the phone.

  Chapter 17

  Cheyenne awoke and stared at the ceiling trying to collect her thoughts while wondering how she could’ve fallen asleep. Then she smiled. “What is that? Silence. I might actually be able to get something done. I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed.” The words, although whispered, thundered in the newfound solitude.

  She urged Finnegan off her lap, stood up and stretched before heading into the kitchen. “Better get something to eat since it’s going to be a long night.”

  Cheyenne sat down at the table. She took the first bite as the phone rang. Cheyenne rolled her eyes. Go figure. When she tried to stand up, Finnegan ran in front of her, almost tripping her.

  “Finnegan!” she yelled with a mouth full of food. He looked up at her and meowed. She swallowed her food and she reached down to scratch his ears. “At least you’re cute.” Her phone continued to ring. “I have to get that, bud.” He meowed again.

  She took a deep breath. “Hello?”

  “Hey Cheyenne.”

  “Daniel?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to check up on Fin. How is everything going?”

  “Finnegan is a really great cat. A very sweet boy. I really like him.”

  “He’s an affectionate cat.”

  “Sure is.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “So far. So good. I’ve been busy.” All sounds of Daniel disappeared. “Daniel? You still there?”

  Daniel cleared his throat. His voice carried a tone of irritation. “Yeah. I’m still here. So, what’s this I hear you’re going on a date? Don’t you think it’s a little soon after your divorce?”

  She didn’t understand the irritation in his voice at first. How did he find out about my date? A shiver ran up her spine. She knew something wasn’t right about him from the beginning, but had brushed it off. Now she was beginning to think differently. He would’ve been the last person she would’ve told anything personal to. “How did you know?”

  “I heard it through the grapevine, so to speak. We are a close community in the apartments.”

  Cheyenne listened through Daniel’s false bravado and felt Daniel didn’t like the idea of her going on a date. She, however, didn’t believe him because she didn’t talk to her neighbors. No one would know about her date unless she told them herself. “Anything else you need?”

  “Nope. Just checking on Finnegan.” She listened as Daniel took a deep breath. “Well, I better go. Congratulations on your date, by the way.”

  “Uh…thanks. How’s your… well… whatever you’re doing going?” Cheyenne frowned at her loss for words.

  “Good. I really have to go.”

  “All right. Bye.”

  Cheyenne hung up the phone and immediately bit her lip. She felt uneasy. There was something extremely odd about him. What could he be hiding? Maybe she should take Michael’s offer and run Daniel’s name through the police database. After all, Daniel did give her the creeps and then some.

  Cheyenne shrugged and went back into the kitchen. She caught Finnegan on the table about to attack her plate. “No Finnegan! No!” He flew off the table. “That’s right. You better run.” She checked her food to see if he had eaten any of it. It didn’t appear he had, but she threw it out and warmed up another plate.

  “Sweet, but stupid cat.”

  Cheyenne scarfed down the meal then washed her glass and plate. Silence, she thought, sitting in front of her computer. “A couple hours of solitude will definitely be good,” she uttered.

  ~

  Cheyenne stretched and yawned. No one called since Daniel and she was extremely grateful for the peace and quiet. It seemed like the first time since the divorce. She hoped to have more days like this than not, but, somehow, she had the feeling that they would be few and far between.

  ~

  Raina came over on Tuesday to help Cheyenne get ready for her date. “Why don’t you wear the green halter dress?”

  “You know he’ll probably expect me to wear ‘a little black dress.’”

  “Then you should be different and do the unexpected. I’m sure it’ll be a nice surprise for him. I think he likes you because you
’re not fake and are unique. Surprise him. Wear the green dress.”

  Cheyenne bit her lip and debated which dress to wear. “I don’t know.”

  “Oh come on. Live a little. Besides, the green one is your favorite.”

  “So,” Cheyenne smiled sheepishly, “you really think he would like the green one?”

  Raina placed her hand on Cheyenne’s shoulder and looked her in the eye. “Yes. That’s what I think and I firmly believe that he likes you, too.” She pulled Cheyenne to her while squealing. “I’m just so excited for you.” Raina gave a quick squeeze.

  Cheyenne rolled her eyes and gave in. “I’ll wear the green dress. You can let me go now. You’re hurting me.”

  Raina stepped back. “Sorry. It’s just that I’m so happy for you.”

  “Are you crying, Raina?”

  “No.” Wiping a tear away, she added, “Okay. Maybe a little.”

  “I had better get dressed.”

  ”Of course, I still have to do your hair.” Raina stopped at the door, turned and winked. She squealed again as she clapped her hands together.

  Cheyenne gave her a ‘thumbs up’ before Raina closed the door. Once more Cheyenne held the dress before her as she glanced in the mirror. Her sister was right. This was the perfect dress. She hadn’t worn it in quite a while. Hopefully things would turn out well tonight, because her nerves were getting the best of her. How she hoped things went well.

  ~

  Cheyenne gazed at the reflection in the mirror; she looked really good for the first time in a long time. The silky emerald color of the dress complemented her dark complexion. Her sister had done a wonderful job fixing her hair by leaving the hair down and sweeping her bangs to the side and pinning them with rhinestone bobby pins.

  “All you have left to do now, Ms. Cheyenne, is put your shoes on.” Raina held up the matching heels.

  “I will in a sec.”

  “You look so beautiful.”

  “I haven’t felt this beautiful in a long time. I’ve forgotten how good this dress makes me look. It does something for me.”

  “Honey, it’s not the dress. You are so beautiful every day in every way and you don’t even know it. Oh Chey, you are an amazing person. I love you so much and even though you still have a long way to go, I’m so proud of how far you’ve come in such a short time. You are so beautiful inside and out. He sees what I see in you.”

  Cheyenne turned to face Raina. “What would that be?”

  “An intelligent, beautiful, kind, generous woman.”

  “Flattery doesn’t get you anywhere.”

  “I’m being serious.”

  “I see the same qualities in you, too. Aiden must see what I see in you or else he wouldn’t be married to you. Now would he?” Cheyenne smiled at Raina.

  Raina, ignoring Cheyenne’s comment, sprawled out on the bed and petted Finnegan, who was already on it, curled up, sleeping. “He is so sweet.”

  “He is. I adore him. It’s too bad that he has to go back to Daniel. I could always tell him that Finnegan ran away and keep him. Finnegan and I have become good friends.”

  “When is Daniel coming back?”

  Cheyenne sat on the edge of the bed and shrugged as she put her heels on. “I have no clue. He said no longer than a week. The week is almost up. There. Now my shoes are on and I’m ready to go.” Cheyenne stood and did a quick spin. “How do I look now?”

  “Beautiful as always. If Daniel doesn’t come for Finnegan, what are you going to do with him?”

  “I don’t know. I really haven’t thought about it. Maybe I’ll keep him. Why?”

  “If you don’t, I would be more than glad to.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be back. If not, I’m not complaining. In fact, I’m kind of hoping that he doesn’t come back.”

  A loud knock made them jump. Cheyenne looked at Raina and placed her hand on her stomach as she felt it tighten.

  “I don’t think I can do this. It’s much too soon.”

  “Girl, you will be fine. You can and will do this. He’s nice, attractive, and is settled in his life. Not to mention, he’s really, really into you. What more could you ask for?”

  “The worst part is that I still didn’t tell Gaby. She was still pestering me about Michael the last time I spoke with her. I haven’t called her back about borrowing my dress either and I’m sure that her date is over by now.”

  Another knock. “Are you going to answer that?” Raina nodded at the door.

  Cheyenne froze, her face paled. It was too much for her.

  “Chey, come on. Breathe. That’s good. Keep breathing. Good girl. You good now?”

  Color flooded back into Cheyenne’s face and she took a deep breath. “Yes. I’ll be okay.”

  “You ready?”

  “I think so.”

  “Let’s go girl.”

  Cheyenne walked to the door, paused, took a deep breath, and opened the door. “Hello.”

  Michael stared at her. His jaw dropped but no words came forth. Cheyenne smoothed her dress and stared at his broad shoulders as she felt something shoot through her that felt like electricity. Raina came over and broke the silence.

  “Hello Mr. O’Neill. How are you?”

  Michael continued to stare at Cheyenne, taking in her beauty as he mechanically answered. “Hi. I’m fine. And you?”

  “Very well, thank you.”

  “Here. These are for you. Wow. You look…amazing. Beautiful,” he said as he handed her the bouquet of white roses.

  Cheyenne took the roses. “Thank you. They are lovely. Wait a second while I put these in a vase. By the way, you look amazing, too.”

  “Actually, I’ll do that for you,” Raina said as she took the flowers from Cheyenne. “You two go and have fun.”

  “You sure, Rain?”

  With eyebrows raised and head tilted, Raina replied, “Look, Chey, I said I would. So go…now.”

  “Okay.” Cheyenne grabbed her purse from the couch. “Make sure you lock the door,” Cheyenne warned Raina.

  “Will you stop? Shoo fly shoo.”

  “All right.” Cheyenne turned to Michael, she asked, “Are you ready to go?”

  “I am if you are.”

  Raina watched them from the door as they strolled to the car. Michael opened the door for Cheyenne and he jogged to the driver’s side of the car and got in.

  “So…” Cheyenne stated.

  “So…” Michael echoed.

  Cheyenne slowly batted her eyes. “Where are we going?”

  He looked at her and smiled. “Do you like Sarcee’s?”

  “Sarcee’s? Really?”

  “Yeah. Unless you don’t like Mancy’s” Michael shoved the key into the ignition. “We can go somewhere else.”

  “No. It’s fine. It has been a long time since I’ve been there.”

  “Well then, this is a treat for you.” He rolled the key and the motor started silently.

  “I thought we were only going for a couple of drinks.”

  “We were. It was a last minute decision.” He glanced at Cheyenne. “Unless you don’t want to eat.”

  “No. That’s fine. I’m starving.”

  ~

  Michael found a parking space and they sat quietly staring at the wall before them.

  Michael finally spoke up. “You ready to go in?”

  “Sure am.” Cheyenne opened the door and got out before he could make it over to her side.

  When he got out, Michael looked over at her and grinned. “You are quick.”

  “Sorry.” Cheyenne replied and blushed. “I’m not used to this.”

  He walked over to her and held his arm out. “You should be used to being treated like a lady. Now, let’s eat, my lady.”

  “Oh, kind sir, I would love to,” she replied in the best British accent she could muster.

  “A good sense of humor. I like it.”

  “Perhaps we can discuss that over dinner.” She laughed.

  ~

  F
irst thing was to order each a glass of wine to help reduce the awkwardness.

  “Now that we’re not in my office, or in court, or at my mom’s, we can actually talk a little bit.”

  Cheyenne grinned. “She called me last night to remind me about tonight. We were on the phone for quite a while. I didn’t think I would ever hang up with her.”

  “That’s all she’s been talking about.” She laughed “Tell me about yourself.”

  “Like what?” Cheyenne frowned. “I’m divorced. I am a writer and love to read.”

  “Besides the obvious. What do you like to do?”

  “Read, write, workout-although I haven’t had time to do that lately, ride bicycles, research…”

  “Research?”

  “I have to research information for my books. It’s fun—if you like to keep learning about things you don’t know.”

  “History is my thing.”

  “What sort of history?”

  “Pretty much anything, but I’m interested in the history of war. The Civil War, the Revolutionary War, etc. What kinds of things do you research for your books?”

  “Whatever I’m including in my stories. It all depends on what I’m writing about. My writing is interesting because of the creation of characters and their personalities and everything. I love every minute of it.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful when you find something you’re passionate about?”

  “Yes it is. What are you truly passionate about?”

  “Good question. I would have to say history. I love reading about and learning more about our country’s history.”

  “If you hadn’t become an attorney what would you have become?”

  Michael paused thoughtfully. “I would love to become a history teacher or historian.” He played with the hem of the tablecloth. “Having been a prosecutor, then a divorce attorney, it becomes overwhelming. There are so many couples getting divorced. I’m overloaded with cases. It’s stressful… and heartbreaking. Too many people divorce over silly things.”

  “Including me?” Cheyenne leaned in and cocked an eye at Michael.

  “No. I divorced for the same reasons.”