by Darla Lark
“It’s not your fault. We’ll get through this together. I’ll get you through this and I’ll make sure that Gabrielle will get the justice that she deserves. I promise.”
~
When Cheyenne calmed down, Michael led her into the living room to the couch. Cheyenne sat there and stared into space. The death of her best friend was too much. She had always been there for Gaby. They had been like sisters.
“How bad?” Cheyenne finally asked.
Michael chose his words carefully. “Let’s just say, from what I was told, it wasn’t pretty.”
“How bad? How did she die?” She leaned on his shoulder.
He sighed, reluctant to say anything. “From the way Lawrence explained, it appeared that she was raped and…”
Cheyenne screamed. “No, no, no.”
“…and had multiple stab wounds. She was badly beaten, too.” He held her as she screamed and cried. He cried with her. “I am so sorry about your friend.”
“This is my fault. This is entirely my fault.” Cheyenne covered her head with her hands and shook her head as long, dark hair cascaded down and around her face. “If it weren’t for me, she would still be alive. Now my sister and her family could be in danger as well.” She turned to Michael, pushing back strands of long hair. “I can’t lose her, too.” Her eyes widened as her current situation dawned on her. “Oh no! If I stay here, I’m putting your life in danger. I don’t want anything to happen to you either.” Cheyenne pulled away. “I would never forgive myself. I’d better go pack.”
Cheyenne started to stand and Michael grabbed her arm, forcing her to sit back down. “No. You are staying here with me until this is over.” He reached out and held her chin in his strong hand, forcing her to look him directly in the eyes. “Remember that I used to be a prosecutor. I’m used to danger. I’m going to see this through and hold your hand through it all. I promise.” He leaned in and gently kissed her.
Chapter 26
One down, two to go. He stood there letting the water run over the knife’s blade, the blood swirling a path to the drain. She’ll be torn up over her friend’s death for a little while, but it had to happen. He nodded, reaffirming his actions. She’ll eventually understand. She’ll understand the people coming between them had to be eliminated—one-by-one. He grinned at the prospect. After her sister is gone, then I can focus on Michael. Or maybe I should take Michael out first. He’s more of a nuisance than Raina is. All I know for certain is that I have something extra special planned for him. He dried the knife and finally touched the point. Michael isn’t going to die easily. Again, a smile of lethal anticipation curled his lips. “No, he’s going to suffer—and suffer slowly.” The sudden spoken words echoed into the darkened room.
He frowned. The only hindrance is Michael and his gate code. It shouldn’t be too much of a problem since I used to work for a security company. One of my former co-workers owes me a favor. He leered into the darkness.
All of this will be worth it. Once it’s over, Cheyenne will see that all this was necessary. She’s a sensible woman. He quietly nodded his head in approval. Yeah. Definitely. She’s intelligent and will understand. Nothing can come between two people who love each other. Not even death.
Chapter 27
Cheyenne awoke, rubbed her eyes and realized she had fallen asleep on the couch. Not only that, but she had fallen asleep with Michael beside her. His arm was around her waist and had pulled her closer to him. She didn’t move because she didn’t want to wake him. It all felt like a bad dream. Yet, she knew it wasn’t. She was terrified. Not for herself so much as for her sister. What was this person going to do next? Somehow she had to protect her sister.
Michael stirred and pulled her closer—if that was even possible. She realized he was awake when he kissed the back of her neck. Although, not happy about what had transpired, she was glad that they were together.
“Hey,” he whispered. “You okay?”
“I think so.”
“Are you hungry?”
“I don’t think I could eat anything right now without vomiting.”
“You should try anyway.” He kissed her neck again. “Do it for me. If not for me, for your sister.”
She carelessly shrugged. “I’ll try.”
“Why don’t you let me up and I’ll fix us something.” They sat up and stretched. He stood then turned and bent down to kiss her. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded as he walked away. When he was out of sight, she let the tears run down her cheeks. Her heart was breaking into a million pieces. Life was never going to be the same for her again. She pushed herself up from the couch and dragged herself upstairs to the bedroom. Her cell phone rang. She answered.
“Hello?”
“Oh my goodness!” Raina blurted. “I’m so sorry, Chey. Detective Lawrence came by last night and now we’ve got two police officers here at our door. They’ve been here all night. Once I found out what happened, I tried calling you numerous times, but you never answered. I’ve been so worried. Please tell me you’re all right.”
“Rain, I’m fine, but worried about you. Are you okay?”
“Scared, but okay. What happened to Gaby?”
Cheyenne attempted to hold back her tears as she revealed the details to Raina. She cried uncontrollably. “I miss her, Rain. She didn’t deserve this. Gaby was a good person.”
Raina was crying. “I know she was. The police will find out who’s doing this.”
“Whoever did this has to pay.” Cheyenne wiped the tears away with the back of her hand. “I think Michael is going to take the case.”
“Really?”
“He used to be a prosecutor. He’s actually pretty upset, too.”
“I should’ve come over last night. I should’ve been there for you.”
“It’s probably best if you and I stay away from each other for a while.” Cheyenne took a deep breath and let it out. “It’ll be much, much safer.”
“I don’t like that idea.”
“We don’t have a choice. It’s only temporary. Not forever.”
Raina sighed. “I don’t know how long I can take it, but I’ll only agree as long as it’s only temporary.”
“You have my word.”
“For the record, I don’t like this plan, Cheyenne, but I’ll go along with it.”
“I don’t either, but thanks. I love you, Rain.”
“I love you, too. More than you could ever know.”
“I know more than you think I do. Look, I’ve got to go. Michael is fixing breakfast.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Cheyenne hung up, plopped down on the bed, buried her face in her hands and cried into them. What was she going to do?
~
She shuffled her way down the stairs and met Michael coming up. “What a coincidence. I was just coming for you.”
With a half-smile, Cheyenne said, “Here I am.”
They quietly walked side-by-side to the kitchen. As they entered the kitchen, Cheyenne felt her legs give out. She collapsed and Michael was there to catch her and helped her to one of the stools.
“I don’t think I can eat,” she whispered. “I feel faint…” She passed out.
~
Cheyenne awoke and rubbed her eyes. She blinked and tried to regain her vision. When she did, Michael was standing over her.
“Well hello, gorgeous. How are you feeling?”
“Emotionally or physically?”
“First, how’s your head? Do you feel like fainting again?”
She sat up and her head felt like it was spinning. “A little dizzy, but I don’t think so.”
“Why don’t you lie down a little longer? I’m afraid you’ll pass out again. Relax a little bit.” He pushed her back down on the couch and kissed the top of her head. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“Some water would be nice.” She gazed up at Michael. “Can I admit something?”
He bent over and stroked her hair. “Of
course.”
“Despite the terrible circumstances, it was nice to wake up with you this morning.”
“Yes it was.” He kissed her. “It sure was.” They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment as he stroked her hair. “I’d better go get your water. Be right back.”
“Okay.”
Cheyenne began thinking about Gaby again. She had been so excited about meeting someone new. Gaby had been so happy. They’ve always been together, talked about everything. Nothing would ever be the same again. Oh how she missed her already. Her only hope now was that her sister and her family wouldn’t wind up the same way. They were all she had left.
~
Cheyenne and Michael didn’t do anything the entire day, but lay on the couch and hold each other. Occasionally she cried on his shoulder in grief or in sheer terror. Her life was coming together and falling apart at the same time. More like falling apart, though. The comfort of Michael’s arms wasn’t going to be enough to calm her fears.
Chapter 28
I could scream right now. If I find out who killed her best friend, I’ll kill them myself. He pushed the curtain aside and stared at the lawn and children playing. Cheyenne doesn’t deserve the pain and anguish. Michael is the one who should be dead. He’s the one coming between us. It pains me to see her so sad. Granted, Gabrielle was a whore and deserved what she got. The sicko who did this to her will pay severely. Cheyenne is a gentle soul. That’s what I love about her. He listened to the phone conversation from the other room and shook his head.
I’m so sorry, Chey. So sorry. You are the last person in the world to deserve such misery. I love you and I’ll make that son-of-a-bitch pay. I promise. I won’t sleep until he does. Now I have another mission besides Michael. I have to find out who would did this and I think I know where to start.
Chapter 29
Cheyenne shot up from the couch. “Eureka!”
“What?” Michael asked as he groggily attempted to wake up.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You’re okay.” He shook his head to wake himself up. “What was the ‘eureka’ for?”
“I remembered something about Gaby.”
“Oh? And what is it?”
“Her death could possibly have nothing to do with me. What I’m trying to say is that she went on a date Wednesday night. She told me his name was Luke. No. Kyle. Kyle was his name. Don’t ask what his last name is. She never told me. Gaby was so happy with him and thought he was the one. So, maybe, it was pure coincidence and has nothing to do with what happened to me.” She thought of another alternative. “But then again… What if he posed as someone else so she couldn’t identify him? What if he used her to get to me?”
Michael sat up and took her hands in his. “Cheyenne, no matter what he did, posing or not, it’s absolutely not your fault.” He leaned in closer to her. “Stop blaming yourself. Nothing you could have done could cause someone to do this. Some people are naturally crazy and that is not your fault. You are not to blame. You’re probably right. It’s probably a coincidence. Either way, we’ll catch him.”
“I know what you’re trying to do, but regardless, I’m still going to feel guilty. Gaby, was my best friend.”
“I’m sorry. I really am, but right now, I need you to be strong.” He cleared his throat and motioned with his hand toward the couch. “Perhaps go back to sleep as well.”
Cheyenne nodded. “Yeah. Sorry.”
“Everything will be all right. You just need some rest. Okay?”
“Yeah. You’re probably right.”
Cheyenne tried to go to sleep, but there was too much on her mind. She knew Michael was right. She did need some rest. She grabbed her purse and removed the bottle from it. She opened the bottle, two sleeping pills dropped into her palm. She took them and drifted off, her last thought about Gabrielle. Oh Gaby. I’m so sorry.
Chapter 30
Cheyenne woke up and looked at the clock on the wall. It said one forty-five. The sun was shining. She rubbed her eyes and wondered how she could’ve slept so long. She noticed that Michael was gone. How had he gotten up without waking her?
“Oh well. Guess I’ll start my day.”
She stood as Michael came up behind her. “Are you hungry?”
“A little bit.” Her stomach growled. “More than a little.” She sat back down and covered her face with her hands, trying to ward off the oncoming headache.
“I’ll go fix a little something. Be right back.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Alone again, Cheyenne’s thoughts quickly turned to Gabrielle’s murder. Who could’ve done such a thing to her best friend? Gaby didn’t do anything to deserve to die. They were supposed to grow old and be the little old ladies in the nursing home racing wheelchairs, not leaving one to grieve over the other so soon. Her heart was heavy with the burden of thought that it could be because of her. With everything that’s been going on with her, it could be the same person who murdered Gaby. Now she had to figure out how to deal with her death. Where did she go from here?
“Got you some lunch,” Michael said, interrupting her thoughts. “I hope you have an appetite.”
“Not really. Right now, all I can think about is Gaby. I feel so incredibly guilty. It should’ve been me.”
Michael set the tray down, kneeled in front of her and placed his hands on her knees. “Look, Chey, it’s not your fault. What could you have done to prevent her death?”
“I could’ve been there for her. I should’ve been there for her. It might have been me that they were targeting. If it is, how can I live even thinking that?”
“How can you blame yourself for someone being a whack job? Stop doing this to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Okay?” When she nodded, he went on. “Okay then. Eat something. I made a chicken salad sandwich on wheat, celery sticks with cream cheese, carrot sticks, a sliced apple, and some sweet tea.”
“I don’t know if I can eat anything. I have a stomachache.”
“Just try. Okay?”
“I’ll try.”
“Good.”
She took a bite and nearly vomited. She jerked her head up and looked over at Michael. “I’m so sorry, but my stomach can’t handle it right now. Not with all the stress. My life is falling apart.” The tears flowed down her cheeks like a broken dam while Michael cradled her in his arms.
“Shhh… It’ll be okay,” he whispered in her ear as he stroked her hair. “No one can hurt you now.”
“How can you be so sure? Even I can’t be sure of that.” She wished she could stop her heart from breaking.
“Hey,” he started, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I will keep you safe. You’re much safer here than by yourself in your apartment. No matter what happens, I’ll be here for you.”
“I know. I’m sorry, but I can’t believe this is happening to me. Maybe I need to talk with Raina. I think I need to.”
~
“What’s up? I thought we were cutting off communication until this was all settled.”
“Yes. Originally, but I needed to talk to you.”
“About Gabs?”
“Yes. No. I need to talk. I don’t know what to do.”
“Sis, it’s not your fault.”
“So everyone keeps saying. I miss her. You know? We were best friends since we were kids.”
Raina was quiet for a moment before saying, “Do you remember the time when we went on vacation to Virginia Beach?”
“We had so much fun. Gaby got stung by a jellyfish and acted like she was going to die. She even asked one of us to pee on her.”
“It was so funny. I thought I was going to wet myself.”
“Do you remember going for ice cream afterwards? She flirted with these two really gorgeous guys.”
“I remember. It turned out they were gay.”
“She was mortified. Later on the same day, she got hit on by that woman who we couldn’t tell whether
or not she was a man or woman at first.” Cheyenne laughed so hard tears were running down her cheeks.
“Neither could Gaby. Though we did warn her, but she did her own thing, not believing us.”
“Gaby left with her and not long after she called us to come get her.”
“Guess she learned to listen to us from that point on.” Raina giggled.
“After the incident, she would ask us about the newest ‘flavor of the month’ she struck up after that.” Cheyenne paused and sighed before going on. “It’s not only Gaby. It’s everything I don’t understand any of it.”
“Me neither. I hope they catch this psycho. The good news is you do have Michael on your side.”
“I know. Believe me, I’m more than grateful, but Michael thinks he can protect me.” She paused. “But I’m not sure anyone can.” Cheyenne raised her hand to her mouth and absently chewed on her fingernails. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime? He’s coming for me. My gut is telling me that when he does, I may not make it out alive.”
“Oh Chey, you have to think positive and stop talking like this. Things will work out for the best. You’re a fighter. Don’t give up and let this son of a bitch win over you. I can’t…” Raina let the sentence trail and swallowed hard. “I won’t lose you. You’re all I’ve got, sis. I love you.”
“I love you, too. I promise I won’t give up, but I’ll admit, I’m terrified.”
“So am I. Anyway, on a positive note, do you remember the time…?”
~
By the time they hung up, both Cheyenne and Raina were in stitches from laughing so hard. Though talking to her sister made her feel better, she still had some guilt. Like her sister said, at least she had the memories. No one could take that away.
She was deep in her thoughts when the phone rang. Michael yelled from the kitchen asking for her to get it and she picked up the receiver. Someone was barking on the other end. It wasn’t a dog but a person imitating a dog.