In the Middle of Love's Crime *BWWM Mystery Romance Thriller

by ReNita A. Burgess

  In the Middle

  of

  Love’s Crime

  ReNita A. Burgess

  Suddenly, Simona’s moans became painful screams,

  but Ben wasn’t paying any attention to it.

  He clasped his hands tightly around her neck, groaning angrily over her moans. He senselessly rammed through her vaginal walls. Her wetness was becoming dry from his harsh thrusts.

  Ben made love to her in a raping manner, almost dangerous-like. This was a different side of him that Simona had never seen.

  “Ben!!! BEN!!! Baby!!! Please….stop!!…oww..stop!! It’s hurting!” Simona pleaded, fighting the pain that was once pleasure.

  Simona coughed as he choked her further into the mattress. He kept his dangerously, sexy eyes fixed on hers. Ben was turned on from trying to harm her. It was as though he was someone she no longer knew, he had become someone else.

  Ben released himself letting out a roar over her screams, screams he thought that came from her orgasm.

  Simona cried as Ben rested on top of her. He breathed heavily, sounding like he just ran the longest marathon. Simona thought of her ex, Drew.

  Drew was always gentle with her when they made love. Drew’s touch was different than Ben’s. Ben was dangerous and almost reckless. Perhaps the military had made him that way. Perhaps it was something else.

  In the Middle

  of

  Love’s Crime

  ReNita A. Burgess

  ~~To the Georgia Peach in Columbia.

  *insider

  Visit ReNita’s official website

  www.renitaburgess.com

  In the Middle of Love’s Crime© is a work of fiction. All characters in this novel are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  In the Middle of Love’s Crime©.Copyright © 2015 by ReNita A. Burgess. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. Wilshire Publishing. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Acknowledgements

  Phew. This is the longest book I have ever written. I feel like I am hallucinating after the 2 ½ months it took to complete it. Each day I faced this laptop until my eyes burned and fingers became sore from all the typing. There has been many headaches, countless late nights and cups of coffee during the conception of this book. :p lol.

  I would like to thank God for giving me ideas and the patience to work on this project. Special thanks to my family for their support, to Mark for giving me the idea that Detective Slater should give Simona flowers, I would really like to thank Jessica Richardson for the awesome book cover design. Thanks to the beautiful city of Columbia, SC and to all my supporters and fans

  Love,ReNita A. Burgess

  Chapter 1

  The sound of rain and thunder in the midst of their argument had been like a dramatic opera, one not passionate, but vicious.

  They were sitting in her midnight blue Honda, the shadow of their hand movements showed that they were in a deep discussion. Something that they both weren’t agreeing with, something they weren’t seeing eye to eye with.

  “Why did you have to drive down here? To my home? Are you trying to get me caught?” he asked with rage in his voice.

  Natalia trembled, but she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She wasn’t afraid or intimidated by him and she sure as hell wasn’t going to back down. No, this was why she came down to see him in the first place. She wanted to sort things out and she was tired of waiting for an explanation.

  “I want to know what it’s going to be! Why can’t you make time for me every day? Is it going to be me or her?” Natalia asked, folding her arms. Her Russian accent was strong and stern.

  He clenched his fist tightly as his palms were sweating. This woman was trying to give him an ultimatum and he truly disliked when women did that. Some women thought they had power over men with their psychological tactics.

  He sighed as he placed a hand around Natalia’s delicate neck, he roughly ran his hands through her blond hair and pulled her head back. She gasped for air, her eyes stretched widely as she realized his harsh grip.

  “I can’t breathe! Stop it! Ple—please!” Natalia begged.

  “You have better not tell her anything or else I’ll-”

  She strained her green eyes towards his direction, breathing for as much air as she possibly could. “Or else you’ll what? Say it!”

  He let go of her neck and angrily stormed out the car, slamming the door behind him. Natalia restored her breathing and she rubbed her neck from the soreness he left on her. Never had she thought that he would handle her this way. This was a side of him that she had never seen. She knew that he had a history of PTSD from his position in the army, but it totally made him snap.

  Natalia knew that she was the only person that could see right through him and he opened up to her the most. The other woman he was committed to never saw the real him.

  Natalia was his massage therapist and a few massage therapy sessions at the spa led to their closeness. One thing led to another and before they knew it, he was cheating with Natalia.

  For the past few months, the relationship was always on the hideout. Natalia grew tired of feeling like a criminal and sneaking out like some burglar. This wasn’t what she wanted and she knew he wasn’t one hundred percent happy that was engaged.

  That was why she finally decided it was time to stop being Ms. Nice Girl, but he wanted it his way. His way was having his cake and eating it too, to keep her stringing along. He couldn’t handle her strength and her standing up for herself.

  Natalia watched him walking back to his apartment, this wasn’t how it was supposed to be, and this wasn’t how it was supposed to end.

  Though the rain was falling heavily like a million pounds of rice, she got out the car, leaving the headlights on and the windshield wipers swishing. The thunder roared like an evil lion in the sky.

  “WAIT! DON’T GO!” Natalia cried and reached for him. “Please! Don’t go! We can make this work! I’ll do whatever you want as long as you stay in my life!”

  He had won and her weakness got the best of her. He stood over her as he watched her beg at his feet. He felt he had power. Perhaps it was how the women were from the country she was originally from, Russia.

  Natalia, for once, wanted to seem as strong and mentally independent as most American women, but she had failed. He ruled her and he knew he could have his way with her whenever he damn near pleased. When he had met her in Russia during his time stationed there, she was so eager to get to America and so desperate for love and attention. He had given that to her, but he noticed she was very clingy and needy.

  “Get off me! Stop behaving like a dog!” he shouted, shaking her off his feet.

  The mascara was streaking down Natalia’s face as she grabbed his leg. “Please!! Please!!” she cried.

  “Get off me!!” he demanded. What in the hell had he gotten himself into? A crazy bitch off a leash was more like it.

  His face reddened and he bawled his fist tight, the rain soaked him and caused his anger to increase. He eagerly wanted to give her a piece of his mind.

  “Get back in the car! We are going to handle this shit once and for all! I need to tell you the truth of why things can’t go far with us!” he clamored.

  Natalia sobbed as she got up from the wet concrete, wiping away tears and headed towards her car.

  He looked around the parking lot before getting i
nside the car. He wanted to see if anyone else was out to notice the scene that they had going on. He couldn’t afford to ruin his reputation because of this shit, not by a long shot.

  A black PT cruiser in the distance drove off stretching its tires. He couldn’t see what type of car it was because the rain made his view unclear as it poured over his face. Shit. Hopefully their view wasn’t as clear to see him either. He tried his best to stay on the low, but this was starting to get out of hand and this was why he had to end it with her.

  Chapter 2

  Detective Drew walked up the steps of the FBI Government Department, the wind blew through his dark hair as he took a sip from his cup of Starbucks coffee. The caffeine warmed his bones up inside and prepared him for today’s work.

  He checked his watch as he opened the door. Dammit. He was late. He sighed and noticed a red head was right behind him, she smiled as she rushed to catch the door. Where were his manners? He immediately turned around and held the door for her, she gave him a rosy cheeked smile. Her white teeth proved that she had a pretty good dental plan.

  “Thank you so much!” she said, touching his back. The touch awaken him. Hello!

  “You’re welcome.” Drew tried to make eye contact with her, but the way her tight skirt clung to her hips, he couldn’t help but to notice. “I’ve never seen you here before. Are you an employee?”

  The red head was still smiling, tugging on to her brief case. “Yes, actually I’m a new receptionist for the human resources department. Just started last week.”

  Drew nodded his head, it seemed to make perfect sense because she seemed too much of a pretty girl to be on the FBI force. “How do you like it here?”

  They were walking through the building and engaging in conversation. Drew wasn’t used to seeing such young women on the job with him, most of the women were around middle age or married.

  The dispatcher for the FBI department was in her early sixties and had been with the police department for forty years. It was a good thing that she had been preparing for retirement. She peeked through the dispatching office at Drew and the young receptionist, shaking her head.

  “That’s Mrs. Taylor. She’s always in everyone’s business other than quickly reporting emergency calls.” Drew whispered as they continued their walk, he was nearing to his office.

  The red head laughed as she waved at Mrs. Taylor. “I sure hope she isn’t the only dispatcher here.”

  Drew raised an eyebrow with a half-smile. “No, she’s not. Thank God for Leon. He works more hours than she does. Mrs. Taylor is a part time honorary employee. Hint of advice, try not to tell her too much of your business.”

  They both laughed as they stood in front of Drew’s office before he entered.

  “Good morning, Detective Slater.” said a cop walking by as he nudged Drew on the shoulder. Drew nodded his head to respond to the greeting.

  The red head gave a flirtatious smile. “Ohhh so a detective, huh? Well, I’ve better not tell too much of my business either.”

  Drew leaned on the door and allowed his eyes to meet hers. “Well, it’s a good thing I don’t know your name. If I did then that would give me access to google search you.” He said jokingly.

  “My name is Emily Grant.” She said as she walked off, checking the time on her watch. “But be careful if you’re google searching me. My military boyfriend is very aggressive and jealous.” She winked.

  “Now that’s not anything to tell a detective. He had better cool it before he gets in trouble. ” Drew laughed, stepping into his office.

  “I’ll be sure to warn him of that!” Emily shouted back, looking over her shoulder.

  Drew peered from his door, watching her switch her hips until she disappeared around the corner of the hall. He shook his head. That’s a sexy piece of ass.

  There was so much work that needed to be done and covered today. He needed to follow up on a few cases and meet with a few witnesses regarding a burglary.

  Knock. Knock.

  There was a knock on the door. Drew sighed as he looked up from his desk. Detective O’Brian walked in with a manila envelope. His shiny bald head was glistening under the light, a few strands of hair peeked from his scalp. He was going through a bitter divorce and it explained his cause for going bald.

  “Detective O’ Brian. What can I do you for?” Drew asked, leaning back in his office chair. “Have a seat.”

  Detective O’Brian rejected the offer to have a seat by waving his hand. Whatever he had to say probably wasn’t going to take long, he was a jumpy type of guy.

  “I need you to look over this new case we have. This is the second murder of a woman being slaughtered and stuffed in the trunk of her car.” Detective O’Brian motioned, tossing the manila envelope on Drew’s desk.

  “Is it similar to that Amanda Stone case?” Drew asked as he shifted in his seat to take a look inside the envelope.

  A few weeks ago, Amanda Stone’s convertible was found at a lake and she was stuffed in the back of her trunk. She had been inside the car for what seemed like weeks, her body was brutally wounded.

  Detective O’Brian cleared his throat. “Yes, it’s very similar. I’m beginning to think that we have a local Jack the Ripper. The victims are all left for the dead in the exact same style. This new case is regarding a young woman that was also murdered last night. Her body was discovered in the trunk of her car as well. Cops and ambulances are at the murder scene right now. Turn on the television.” Detective O’Brian said with a heavy voice.

  Drew sat up in his seat, the expression lines on his forehead were frowning as he reached for the remote to the portable TV across from his desk.

  “By the way, I saw you checking out the new receptionist down the hall. You should give that a try. Seems like she was flirting with you.” Detective O’Brian joked.

  Drew sighed and rolled his eyes. “Nah, she’s taken by some military guy. Not really looking for any drama, bro.”

  “Whatever, man. If there isn’t a ring, it doesn’t matter to me.” Detective O’Brian shrugged.

  The commercial break on TV was over and Simona Cox, the beautiful African American news anchor, led Drew into a gaze as he watched her deliver the story.

  “A serious crime. A serious matter. A beautiful, young woman by the name of Natalia Karpova has been found slayed in the trunk of her vehicle this morning. The scene of the murder took place in the parking lot of Tree Mellows Court. This is the second murder of a Columbia woman being found dead in the trunk of her car. The victim was said to have been going to meet her estranged boyfriend who resided at the apartments. Authorities are trying to locate who Natalia may have been dating and the reason for her death…”

  Detective O’Brian was shaking his head as he listened to the news. “We have to get on this case together, Slater. The victim was hog tied in the trunk of her car and her neck was slit very deep. It’s very disturbing to think about and I just want to nail this guy. If we can pin point who the boyfriend was, maybe we can get some answers. Are you in?”

  Drew was barely paying any attention, he was smiling and rubbing his chin as he watched Simona on the television. “Huh? Sure. Yeah. I’m in. We need to go out to the crime scene right now and question a few of the tenants that live there.”

  “That could be a start. Let me grab another cup of coffee and we can head over there shortly” Detective O’Brian exclaimed. “Oh yeah…and Slater?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Stop drooling over the TV at that sexy black woman. I’m gonna have to catch you up on this case. Not sure if you were actually following along. I’m pretty sure you weren’t smiling about a murder story.” Detective O’Brian said, taking a bite into a donut.

  “Seriously, I am concerned about this case, O’Brian. It’s just I used to date that news anchor years ago.” Drew replied.

  Detective O’Brian gave a surprised look. “Wow, well what do ya know? Looks like someone had jungle fever.” He laughed before exiting the room.
<
br />   Drew took a stand from his seat as he walked over to his large office window. Sunlight peered through the blinds as he twisted the tilt wand.

  The view of Columbia was a sight to see and it was breathtaking. He sipped from his cup of coffee and inhaled the caffeine as he looked at the WFTX building.

  His flame still burned for Simona, a flame that never went out. Somewhere deep down in his heart and soul there would always be a piece of her inside him. He opened his wallet and realized that he never got rid of the photo they took together at Riverbanks Zoo.

  He smiled as he recaptured the memory of that photo. Two parakeets were sitting on both their shoulders as they posed near the botanical garden. She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek as he snapped the photo. Those were joyful times they shared.

  Drew fantasized about reliving those days with her again, but he just didn’t have the courage.

  Chapter 3

  The October wind blew its breath on the auburn maple trees, causing a few leaves to fall to the ground.

  The pigeons soared over Finlay Park through the foggy Columbia, South Carolina sky; the beautiful city buildings were adjacent in the distance.

  Simona kept her pace as she took long strides during her power walk. Her arms moved from side to side. Left. Right. Left. Right. She concentrated on the breathing exercises she learned from yoga class.

  She assumed that the early morning walk would take her mind off a recent murder that took place in the neighborhood of where she lived. Images replayed in her mind of Natalia Karpova’s pale, bloody body. The image of her tied up in a trunk was mind haunting. Stress at times came from being a news anchor, the stories were horrific and sad. Sometimes she found herself sitting up at night.

  After Simona was warmed up, she bounced into a jog. Her dark ponytail was neatly pulled back under a baseball cap. It was a good thing she wore the army sweat pants that her fiancé, Ben, bought for her. You would have thought she was in the army from the serious way she was jogging. She kept her focus on the trail.