Tell Me Lies

He lifted his head.

  “Why are you here with me? Why aren’t you out looking for her?” Noah shot at Hunter.

  “I have been and I found her,” Hunter said. “She’s alive.”

  Noah wiped his face. “Then why didn’t you tell me? I thought she was dead.”

  “She’s not. That’s why I’m telling you. I need you to come with me. You’re not safe here. I waited two days to make sure you wouldn’t die on me. I know you don’t want Gramps involved, so you have to leave before he comes. He usually gets here by eight. I’m taking you to a secure location. Ellie will watch you.”

  “I’m not going to Ellie’s. I’m going with you to get Sydney.” While he spoke, Noah used his hands to stand. He wobbled, but didn’t fall.

  “I thought you would say that.”

  Noah tore off the hospital gown. “I need clothes. They cut my clothes off me.” Then he thought of the press and panicked. “How am I going to leave here without being seen? The press is probably in the lobby waiting for me.”

  “Already thought of that, but you’re not going to like it.”

  “I’ll do anything.”

  Hunter dug into the bag and pulled out three items.

  Noah’s eyes widened. He stepped back. “I’m not wearing that.” Hunter held a dress, a pair of flat shoes and a wig in his hands.

  For the first time, Hunter chuckled. “It was Ellie’s idea. It will work.”

  “You must be crazy. I can imagine the headlines if the press saw me. The Cross-Dressing White Supremacist Preacher Flees His Hospital Bed.”

  Hunter guffawed. His laughter rumbled low in his chest. Noah was amazed at Hunter’s transformation. For a split second, Hunter looked … human.

  Then Hunter grew serious. “Put it on or you stay.”

  It was now or never. Noah gritted his teeth. “Hand it over.”

  Noah dressed and left his grandfather a quick note. Hunter guided him outside the hospital through the rear entrance. Every now and again, Hunter would stop to laugh.

  “Now you have a sense of humor,” Noah said. He squeezed his toes tight. “These shoes are killing my feet.”

  Hunter chuckled. “I’m sorry, but you’re the ugliest woman I’ve ever seen.”

  Noah ducked his head. “I don’t know why, but I feel insulted.”

  Thankfully, they made it into a brown sedan without incident. Hunter drove out of the lot.

  “You can change in the back. I can’t go by your house. Matthew has you under surveillance.”

  Noah turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. Hunter had a pair of his jeans, a tee shirt and sneakers. “You could have told me.”

  “And ruin the fun?”

  Noah’s head hurt and his body ached, but he made it into the rear of the car. Then he changed.

  “We have a quick stop first.”

  “We have to get to Sydney!”

  “Patience,” Hunter said. He pulled over by a gas station.

  Noah spotted a figure running toward them with a small bag in his hand. Lance shot into the back seat.

  “Lance!” Noah exclaimed, hugging him. “I thought …”

  Lance lifted a chin. “Thought what?”

  Noah shook his head. “Thank you, friend. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “You’re stuck with me.” Lance visibly got himself under control. Then he opened his backpack and pulled out a stethoscope. “Let me check your vitals.”

  64

  “You can thank Sandra Bland for this idea.” The man, who had identified himself to Sydney as Matthew, cackled. He referred to the African-American woman who had been arrested for a traffic crime. Three days after her arrest, she was found hanging in her cell. The officers ruled it a suicide, but many suspected foul play. Sandra’s death had sparked a national outrage.

  Sydney was barefooted and seated on a rickety chair. One of the Things had thrown away her other shoe. Duct tape bound her hands and feet. Her hands bled from trying to rub them together. She’d hobbled to the exit three times and each time she was pulled back by the roots of her hair. After her third attempt, Matthew told her he’d cut out her tongue. Sydney believed him. She didn’t have to be warned again.

  She looked up. Two burly men were fashioning the noose. Matthew called them Thing One and Thing Two. He was smart. There was no way she could identify them. They each wore hats slung low on their faces and there was no natural lighting.

  They had left her alone for a day and a half, shivering and with a metal pan by her side. Then today they had returned and started building.

  The Things had spent a good three hours sawing wood, hammering and building a guillotine-like structure. But instead of a blade, they would use a cord. She gulped. This was not how she wanted to die. She didn’t want to die, period.

  She tried to decipher her surroundings. It looked like she was in an abandoned storage unit. Sydney racked her brain to figure out where she was. If she were to guess, she’d say she was in Punta Gorda way down US 17. Wherever she was, it was deserted. Sydney had screamed and yelled, but no one heard her. She’d been listening intently for the sound of cars, children playing, anything; but all she heard was silence.

  Silence and God. Thankfully she knew scriptures and she could pray. She’d done a lot of praying.

  One of the men came up to her with a filthy plastic bottle. She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want it.”

  “Make her drink it,” Matthew demanded.

  She twisted her mouth, but the man gripped her face. Then he pressed into her jawbone until her mouth opened. Then he pushed the lukewarm liquid into her mouth. She barely got a sip before she had to spit it out.

  Vinegar.

  Matthew laughed. “You can thank Jesus for that idea.”

  Sydney shuddered. The tears she’d kept inside finally began to fall. “Why are you doing this to me?” she sobbed. “I offered you money, but you won’t take it. What is it you want?”

  Suddenly his face changed. “I want what you took from me,” he grounded out.

  She shook her head. “I’ve never seen you before in my life. Perhaps you’re mistaken. I didn’t take anything from you. Unless …” Her eyes narrowed. “Did I cross you in court? Is that it?”

  “You idiot!” Matthew raged. “You took my family.”

  “Family?”

  “Yes!” he howled. “I heard him. I heard him say you were his family.”

  “You’re insane. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  He flailed his arms. “What kind of a hotshot attorney are you? Aren’t you listening?” He stormed over to her, bent down and got right into her face. “I heard Noah tell you that you were his family.”

  Her brows furrowed. “Noah? This is about Noah?”

  “I had his room bugged. I heard every word. I heard him beg. Beg you to stay.”

  Sydney clutched her chest. “That was a private moment,” she whispered. “You had no right …”

  He grabbed her hair and twisted until she yelped in pain.

  “I am his family. The Avengers are his family.”

  Finally, it clicked. She waded through Matthew’s madness and heard what he was trying to say. He was one of the gang members Noah had belonged to as a youth. What were they called? The Avengers. Yes, that’s it. But why was Matthew holding her responsible for Noah’s transformation? All that went down before she met him. She shook her head. Why was she trying to understand the mind of a lunatic?

  A chilling realization filled her being. Sydney released short, staccato breaths. “You’re a psychopath.” She was alone with white supremacists and a sociopath.

  Sydney bit her lip to keep from screaming. She closed her eyes and prayed. Then, she thought of Noah. Noah was nothing like this creature before her. He was kind and good. And she’d walked out of his life. She’d been wrong. And now she was going to die and miss the chance to tell Noah she understood and loved him.

  “Open your eyes, monkey!”

  Sydney�
�s eyes popped open. “Who you calling a monkey?” She bellowed. “Untie me, you coward. I’ll show you what kind of monkey I am.”

  He ripped open his shirt. Sydney’s eyes widened. All over his puny frame were signs of hate and evil. There was a tattoo of a confederate flag on his chest.

  “Noah knows better. We need to remain pure. “I’m going to enjoy watching you die.”

  His words incited her rage. “Love knows no color!”

  “You agree with me or you wouldn’t have left. You gave him back the ring.”

  Sydney opened her mouth, but then his words hit her. “You’re right. I did. And I see now that I made a mistake. I choose Noah.”

  “You can’t have him!”

  Sydney realized rage was useless. There was only One who could help her. “Jesus!” She whispered.

  Matthew grabbed his chest and backed away. He drew deep breaths.

  “Jesus,” she said, again.

  Then he dug into his pocket for his pump. “I can’t find my pump. I’ve got to catch my breath.” He gestured to Thing One. “Turn the air up in here. My asthma’s acting up.”

  Thing One nodded and took a step. A whistle sound flew by her ear. Thing One fell to the ground. Thing Two pulled out his gun. But he was too slow. Another whistle. He fell.

  The door to the shed crashed to the floor. Matthew collapsed to his knees gasping for breath.

  Two shadows stood in the door. Oh, no. Was this more of Matthew’s men?

  Then she heard, “Sydney!”

  “Noah! I’m here,” she cried out.

  “Sydney!” He raced over to her and hoisted her in his arms. He kissed her face and cheeks as his tears flowed. “I’m so glad I found you. I was so worried.”

  “I love you,” she said. The words rushed out. “I’m sorry I left. I shouldn’t have.”

  Hunter came over with a huge knife in hand. He cut her free. Sydney thanked him and wrapped her arms around Noah.

  “Put her down. You’re not well.”

  Noah shook his head. “I’m never letting her go.”

  “I’ll sit in the chair,” Sydney said.

  “Help me.” Matthew said.

  Noah looked his way. “He’s having an asthma attack.” Noah rushed to his side and hauled Matthew upright. “Take deep a breath. Take it easy.”

  Matthew looked at Noah. “Déjà vu,” he breathed out as he gasped for air. Noah knew he remembered another time Noah had saved his life.

  Hunter walked over to where they were. He beckoned to Noah. “Take Sydney to the car. I’ll help him.”

  Noah complied.

  “You helped him?” Sydney asked. Her heart was overwhelmed. “Even after all he did to you.”

  A gunshot cracked the silence.

  Noah swung around. “Hunter, no! Why did you do that?”

  “Is he dead?” Sydney cried.

  Hunter holstered his weapon. “He had a knife. I saw him reach for it in his sock.”

  “You could’ve knocked him out. Now you could get charged you with murder,” Noah said.

  In the distance, sirens wailed.

  “I did what had to be done,” was all Hunter said. His face held no remorse.

  “Maybe you should get out of here,” Sydney suggested. Her heart hammered in her chest. She’d hate to see Hunter face jail time.

  Hunter shooed them over to the sedan. “Take Sydney home. I’ll be fine. The cops can get your statements later.”

  Sydney bit her lip. “Run Hunter. I won’t tell anyone you were here.”

  Noah looked at her with disbelief. “He can’t run or he’ll be running for the rest of his life. It was self-defense.”

  Hunter took out a stick of gum from his pocket. “Quit worrying. I’m a state trooper.”

  “What?” Noah asked. His eyes were wide hearing Hunter’s words.

  “I got the job two days ago.”

  Noah looked upward. “You could have told me that.” The cops pulled up to where they stood.

  Hunter shrugged. “Didn’t see the need before.” He went up to the officers to brief them.

  Noah pulled Sydney in his arms. She stepped close, but jumped back. “Ouch! I forgot I lost my shoe.”

  “Wait here,” Noah said. He rushed to the car and returned with a pair of flats.

  “These will have to do for now.”

  “You’re my real-life hero,” she said, and slipped the shoes on her feet.

  He leaned back to look into her face. His eyes held hope. “Does this mean what I think it means?”

  She nodded. “Yes, it does. I love you and I’ll never let you go. I’m sorry it took this ordeal for me to figure it out.”

  ‘I’m just glad you did,” Noah said. “I have to tell you something and I need you to hear it from me, first. Beulah terminated my position. I lost my ministry.”

  “Hush, you have me,” she said, running her hands along his face. “You can’t lose what God gave you. We’ll start over,” Sydney said. “We’ll get through this together. I promise.”

  “It’s going to be tough for you if you stay with me.”

  Sydney kissed him briefly. “It’ll be tougher if I don’t.” Sydney knew that was the truth. “I love you, Noah. Whatever the fall-out, we’ll face it, together. I’m not going anywhere. We’ll get through this.”

  Noah nodded. “I love you. I thought I’d lost you, forever.”

  Sydney shook her head. “You haven’t. I’m here. Right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  65

  You have five minutes.

  Noah read the text message. He hurried down the hall of the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club holding a large bag in his hand. When he arrived at the desired suite, he placed his ear against the door, but didn’t hear a sound. Noah knocked with urgency. His heart was beating fast.

  Good. He hadn’t been spotted. If he had been, he’d be in serious trouble.

  The door opened, and a hand shot out to pull him inside.

  “Get in here before she sees you.”

  Noah closed the door behind him and breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You know you’re not supposed to see the bride before the wedding?” Sydney was dressed in a silk robe. Her hair and face were done. The only thing left was for her to put on her gown.

  Noah waved his hands dismissively. “Please. I don’t believe in that mumbo jumbo. You’re mine. Ordained by God. Nothing can change that.”

  “So, what was so urgent it couldn’t wait? I figure I have two minutes max before—” A sharp rap interrupted her words. “Uh, oh. It’s too late.”

  “Sydney, it’s Portia.”

  Noah panicked. He scanned the room for a possible hiding place. He scurried over to Sydney. “Help me,” he begged. “Portia’s going to raise Cain from the dead if she sees me.”

  “I told you to hurry.” She covered her laugh. “I can’t believe you’re scared of my assistant.” She called out, “Portia, give me a minute, will you?”

  “Is he in there?” Portia asked from outside the door. “Noah had better not be in there. He’s not supposed to be in there.”

  Sydney held her hands over Noah’s lips. He nibbled her hand with small kisses. “Behave,” Sydney whispered. “Or I’m going to set her on you.”

  Noah shook his head. “No.”

  “I’ll be back in five, and Noah had better not be anywhere in sight. I’m just saying,” Portia commanded before leaving. “This wedding is starting on time, and you have to get dressed.”

  Noah picked up the bag he’d placed by the front door when he entered the room.

  “What’s that?” Sydney asked.

  Noah took out the silver gift-wrapped box and brought it over to Sydney. He sat her on the bed and got on his knees. “Sydney Ariella Richardson, I love you. I contemplated long and hard for the perfect gift, suited for you. I think I’ve chosen something you’ll appreciate.”

  He handed her the box.

  Sydney undid the package. She removed the tissue. Her
breath caught when she saw what was inside. “They’re perfect.” She looked at Noah. “How did you think to do this?”

  Sydney lifted out one shoe. “It’s the exact shade of ivory as my dress. And the trimming matches. Oh, Noah. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She held the shoe closer to her face. “Are these real pearls and diamonds?”

  “I’ll never tell. But I will say, I have a special insurance plan for them and I had a special storage box made.”

  Sydney hugged Noah and kissed him passionately. When she pulled away, he could see tears in her eyes.

  “I love them. They’re exquisite. I don’t even want to wear them,” she said.

  “I know they say you shouldn’t buy someone shoes because it’s only a matter of time before they walk out of your life. But I bought you shoes because I wouldn’t be the same if you hadn’t walked into mine. These past months, you’ve stood by me even though social media called you a fool, even though Beulah kicked me out of their pulpit.”

  She touched his cheek. “I only followed my heart. God has another plan. No one can take away what God has given you.”

  “That’s how I know He gave me you,” he said.

  Sydney hid her tears by bending over to pick up the other shoe. “I’m in heaven right now. They are simply divine.” She touched her chest. “What a thoughtful gift. It’s so me.”

  Noah took the shoe from her. “As I place this shoe on your feet, I pledge my love and promise that we’ll walk together as man and wife, always.” He placed the shoe on the right foot.

  It was a perfect fit, as he knew it would be. Sydney swiveled her foot this way and that to get a good look.

  Noah took out the other shoe and held her other foot. He tickled her under her foot. Sydney giggled. “Stop. I can’t afford to ruin my makeup. Portia would kill me.”

  At the mention of Portia’s name, Noah hurried and fitted the other shoe. “As I place this shoe on your foot, I promise never to run ahead of you, but we will move in step together, side by side. I promise to love you every step of the way.”

  “I have found my prince in you. I love you.” Tears filled her eyes.

  “Well, the shoe fits …” Noah stood and Sydney rose with him.

  “Perfectly,” Sydney concurred. She and Noah kissed. They knew they had tied themselves together. The rest of the day would be for everyone else’s benefit.