by Karen Kelley
“Meet me at the bar where LeAnn will sing.”
He nodded and she quickly gave him the address. As he pulled away from the curb, all was right in his world. He would convince her that she could have a better life. He would set her soul free.
He closed his eyes as he went around the corner. When he opened them, he was driving toward the ranch, but there was emptiness inside him that he’d never felt before.
When he set Destiny free, she would be out of his reach forever. He would be able to see her, but he could never be with her again. Her own personal guardian angel.
His gut twisted.
He pulled to a stop in front of the ranch and shut off the engine. For a moment he sat there as if something might occur to him that would change everything. But nothing did. He swung his leg over the side and strode toward the front door.
It was quiet in the house. He closed his eyes and could feel the hum. The others were in the rec room. He debated for a moment then went downstairs.
Hunter looked up from the television when Chance entered the room. He studied him then said, “We were beginning to worry.”
“You okay?” Ryder casually asked, but his words were laced with concern.
“I’m fine, before you ask too, Dillon.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Dillon said, then went behind the bar and opened the small refrigerator. He pulled out a beer. “Catch.” He tossed the bottle.
Chance easily caught it and twisted off the cap. Foam spewed over the top, but he didn’t care as he brought the bottle to his lips and greedily drank. It was cold and went down easy. He only hoped it would numb his senses for a little while.
“How’d it go today?” Ryder asked.
Hunter switched off the television and joined the others as they made their way to the sitting area. Black leather couches were flanked by two black end tables that were ringed from never having seen a coaster. An equally scarred coffee table worked well to prop their feet on. Nothing fancy, but they liked not having rules.
Chance knew to play it casual with them. If they had an inkling he’d fallen for Destiny, they would do whatever it took to keep him safe, even if it cost Destiny her soul.
So he shrugged. “I’m going to tell her exactly what I am tonight. I think she cares enough that I can convince her to be reborn.” He began to relax as the reality of his words sank into his brain. He would save her soul. That was what really counted. As long as he could do that, he’d survive.
Chance could feel them studying him, so he took another drink of his beer then lowered the bottle to rest casually on his thigh. “So, what about the three of you? Anything going on?”
No one spoke. Chance was beginning to wonder if they were going to stare at him all night, but then Hunter cleared his throat.
“I got a cat out of a tree,” Hunter said.
They stared at him for a moment then began to laugh, and the tension evaporated.
Hunter frowned. “What?”
“Think about what you just told us,” Dillon said. He always rationalized everything. “Chance is fighting for someone’s soul, and you got a cat out of a tree.”
Hunter’s frown deepened. “It was an old cat and it was stuck. I like cats. What’s wrong with that?”
Chance hid his smile. “Nothing. Nothing at all.” He knew not to look at Dillon and Ryder or they would all three start laughing and then Hunter would kick their asses. So instead he took another drink of beer.
“I don’t have anything going on,” Dillon finally added to the conversation.
A good thing, too. It was getting uncomfortable the way Hunter glared at them.
Ryder shrugged. “I answered a couple of prayers.” He suddenly grinned. “And there was this cute little blond that wanted a pair of shoes really bad. They were gold with little sparkles all over the heels.”
“And did she get them?” Dillon asked.
Ryder sighed. “Yes, but I have to admit she wanted me more.”
The other three groaned as Ryder launched into very specific details on how he gave the young lady exactly what she wanted.
A lively conversation ensued about women. Chance let the other three carry the conversation as he finished his beer, then got up and got another one.
Before he rejoined the others, he leaned against the bar and watched their animated conversation. They were his family. The only family he’d ever really known. He loved them like brothers.
A cold premonition swept over him, but he shook it off. Nothing would go wrong tonight. Destiny would take what he offered. Her soul would be free. Anything else was unacceptable.
Chapter 19
Destiny watched until the roar of Chance’s bike disappeared around the corner, but she didn’t go inside. Instead she went for a walk, hoping it would clear her head.
It didn’t.
Maybe he didn’t tell her that he loved her, but he still wanted to see her again, she rationalized. And he cared. A lot. But would it be enough? Her hands began to tremble. It just had to be.
Tonight she would tell him exactly what she was and then she would know exactly where she stood. It had to be tonight. Tomorrow night she would have to return even if she failed. A shudder swept over her. She had to convince Chance to leave with her. They were meant to be together, she could feel it all the way to her heart. A lot was riding on what Chance would do. He said he would never leave her.
She almost ran over Beulah when she rounded the corner. She was the last person Destiny needed to run into. When the woman started to speak, Destiny held up her hand. “I really don’t want to hear it.”
“I apologize,” she blurted.
Had she heard right? “What?”
Beulah pursed her lips as if she’d just sucked on a lemon. “Charles said I can’t let one man make me hate the world.” She smoothed her hands down the front of her slacks.
“Really?” Was the world about to end?
“That doesn’t mean you still don’t need to be a little quieter when you have… have…”
“Sex?” Destiny supplied.
“Yes.” She didn’t meet Destiny’s gaze.
“And why would you apologize just because Charles told you to?” Destiny couldn’t see Beulah doing anyone’s bidding.
“Because he said if I was going to be his wife, he didn’t want me running off all his friends. So like I said, I’m sorry.”
Destiny opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Beulah was frowning when she looked up. “What, you don’t think a man could love me?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Beulah squared her shoulders. “I know I’m not much to look at.” Her face suddenly softened, and Destiny finally saw a bit of what Charles must see. This was a softer side. “Charles is a good man. I’ve known him for years. He won’t be like that other one. I’ve still got some of my money. He didn’t get it all. Charles doesn’t know it, but he’s going to have that ranch he’s always wanted. A small one, but maybe a horse or two, and a few head of cattle.” She ran out of breath and her flood of words stopped abruptly.
“I think you’ll make a great couple.”
Beulah studied her for a moment. Maybe she wanted to make sure Destiny wasn’t making fun of her. She apparently decided she wasn’t.
“Thank you.” She hurried away.
Destiny was at a loss for words. The sooner she was away from these mortals the better. She couldn’t help feeling just a little happy for the old battle-axe, though.
Destiny was about to step inside the elevator when she heard a familiar voice call out to her. Great, another one.
“I’m terrified,” LeAnn wailed. She waved her hands about, opened her mouth, then snapped it closed without saying a word.
“Of what?” Fear filled Destiny as she glanced around. Had a mugger chased LeAnn? It certainly wasn’t the best part of town. Destiny did a quick head-to-toe check but found no dangling limbs. Not even a bruise.
“About tonight. I don’t th
ink I can do it.”
Destiny breathed a sigh of relief as her heart slowed to a more normal rate. “Is that all?”
LeAnn’s eyes widened as she marched into the elevator. “Is that all?” She snorted. “Believe me, that’s plenty.” She slumped against the back wall as though all her energy had just drained away.
“You really are scared,” Destiny said.
LeAnn shook her head. “Nope, I’m way beyond scared.” Her face crumpled. “What am I going to do?”
Destiny planted her hands on her hips as the elevator chugged its way upward. “You’re going to stop talking like that right now, that’s what you’re going to do. You’re a very good singer. This is your chance to shine and if you don’t take it, I’ll… I’ll shove your head in the toilet.”
LeAnn took a step back, forehead wrinkling. “Really?”
The girl was so gullible. “No, I wouldn’t shove your head in the toilet.”
LeAnn laughed, a bit shaky, but still a laugh. “I meant about you thinking that I’m a good singer. Not shoving my head in a toilet.”
“Oh.”
“Do you really think so?” LeAnn hurried on before Destiny could answer. “Don’t lie to me. You can tell me the truth. I swear it won’t hurt my feelings. I mean, I’ve watched American Idol and they’ve had some horrid singers, but their friends and family have been too nice and actually convinced them they could sing but they can’t and I don’t want to be like them.” Her rambling stuttered to a stop.
What the hell was American Idol? LeAnn was making no sense whatsoever. It didn’t matter. Destiny suddenly felt like an older sister and something inside her softened right then and there.
She placed her hands on LeAnn’s shoulders and looked her right in the eyes. “I think you’re one of the best singers I’ve heard in a long time and I’ve only heard a little of your amazing talent. You have what it takes—except for needing a little more confidence. You’ll go far, but you have to believe in yourself.”
“Believe in myself,” she repeated.
Destiny nodded as the elevator came to a grinding stop.
“I can do that, I think.” LeAnn nibbled on her bottom lip.
They stepped out of the elevator and walked toward Destiny’s apartment, but once they were at the door LeAnn leaned against the wall and sighed, her expression dejected.
“No, I can’t. That’s why I’ve never made it to Nashville. I make plans, but that’s as far as I get.” Her short laugh was derisive. “I even have a folder of exactly what I need to do, all the way down to what bus I’ll take and where I can find cheap rent. But I never leave.” Tears swam in her eyes.
“Why?”
“I’m afraid of rejection.” She chewed her bottom lip. “What if they don’t like me?” she whispered.
“Not everyone will, but who cares about them?”
“I do.”
Destiny paused before opening the door. “No, you don’t. You only think you do. Those people don’t matter. There will be people who don’t like your way of singing, but it doesn’t mean you’re not still a good singer.”
“I don’t have anything to wear, either.” She rubbed the tears out of her eyes and squared her shoulders as if she already had her mind made up. “I might as well just not show up.”
“You will show up and yes, you do have something to wear.”
LeAnn frowned. “No, I don’t. Just worn jeans and a boring top. I picked it up in a thrift shop. It has lots of stupid ruffles. A dumb purchase. The shirt is butt-ugly. I have no style.”
“You’re beautiful and that’s all that people will see. Besides, I found a suit the other day and thought about you. It’s hanging in my closet. I was going to give it to you today so you might as well pick it up now.”
She straightened. “Really?”
“Yes, really, now come inside and I’ll give it to you.” Okay, she hadn’t bought the suit, but creating a killer outfit was no biggie. If it would get LeAnn on stage, even better.
Destiny opened the door, but when LeAnn began to talk again, she turned her attention back to her friend.
“I can’t believe you bought me a suit to wear. No one has ever bought me anything. Well, not in a very long time, that is. And I think you’re so stylish. You could have stepped out of a magazine.” She came to an abrupt stop, her eyes growing round. “Oh, you have company.”
Destiny’s gaze jerked up. She froze as her stomach began to churn.
“There you are,” Vetis said as he rose from the sofa. “I’d wondered where you went, but I can see you’ve been spending time with this lovely lady.”
LeAnn blushed. “We met up in the elevator.”
Vetis stopped in front of them, then reached for LeAnn’s hand and placed a kiss on it. “Very lovely,” he murmured as his gaze raked over her.
“Vetis, I wasn’t expecting you again so soon.” Destiny nervously looked at the demon.
When his eyes turned to her, she took a step back from the anger she saw. Something was terribly wrong. He was furious with her for some reason. What the hell did she do? And how could she make it better?
Vetis looked at LeAnn again, immediately turning on the charm. “Destiny didn’t properly introduce us. I’m her cousin.”
LeAnn frowned when she looked at Destiny. “I thought you grew up in foster homes?”
The fire burned brighter in his eyes, then cooled. “We found each other later in life. It’s quite a touching story. I’d love to tell you all about it some time.”
Destiny noticed Vetis didn’t let go of LeAnn’s hand. He was rubbing his thumb lightly back and forth over it. A new fear settled inside Destiny as she realized exactly what he was doing. Vetis was seducing LeAnn.
LeAnn shyly smiled, moving a little closer to the demon. “I’d like to hear all about how you found each other. I love stories with happy endings.” Her eyes misted. “Will you be staying here for a while?”
“As long as it takes.” He paused. “To tell you all about our reunion, that is.”
“I’ll just get the outfit,” Destiny quickly said, but she wasn’t sure LeAnn heard her.
Destiny practically ran to the bedroom. Once there, she closed her eyes as her knees went weak. Oh please, don’t let Vetis hurt her. There was still so much that was innocent about LeAnn. She glanced up. But would anyone hear her plea? They never had in the past.
This time was different. Destiny was a lost cause, but not LeAnn. For Destiny, there was only one choice. That wasn’t the case for LeAnn, if Vetis didn’t interfere. Somehow she had to convince the demon that LeAnn wasn’t worth his time.
But first she had to get LeAnn out of the apartment.
LeAnn had once oohed and ahhed over an outfit in one of Destiny’s magazines. The first time she met her, in fact. They were going up in the elevator. Black jeans and a black fitted jacket that had black crystals on the lapels. A plain, black knit tee and black boots. It would have been too much black except there was a sexy little necklace in soft pink beads and heart-shaped crystal. LeAnn had said it was bling-bling and that every girl needed it.
Whatever.
The magazine had, thankfully, ended up on top of the dresser. Destiny grabbed it and quickly thumbed through until she got to the right page. With one sweep of her hand, she changed the outfit from being on a page to hanging on a hanger, the boots sitting on the floor.
She grabbed everything and hurried back to the other room. Vetis was lightly running his fingers up and down LeAnn’s arm in a casual gesture, but Destiny knew better.
“Here you go,” she called out.
LeAnn jumped, moving away from Vetis. His eyes narrowed, but Destiny didn’t care. LeAnn was her friend. Her only one ever, and she wasn’t about to let Vetis entice LeAnn to Hell. Not when the girl had a chance at more.
“No way!” LeAnn said, rushing to Destiny. “But how?”
“My cousin can do most anything she sets her mind to,” Vetis said, then his eyes narrowed. “She only has to focus
.”
Destiny heard the double entendre and understood perfectly that he thought she wasn’t focused on why she was there.
“Wait a minute.” LeAnn snapped her fingers. “This is the exact suit I showed you the first day we met. It was in one of your magazines.” She fingered the beads on the lapel. “How?”
“A thrift store.”
“No way,” she breathed, then squared her shoulders as her expression turned solemn. “I can’t take it.”
“And why not?” The girl could be so exasperating!
“It’s far too nice to just give away.”
“I can’t wear it. You’re shorter than me.”
“But—”
“Either you take it or I’ll toss it in the trash.” She made a move to follow through with her threat.
“No! I’ll take it!”
“Then you’d better hurry and get ready. This is your night to shine.”
“It is.” But before LeAnn took the hanger, she hugged Destiny.
For a moment Destiny couldn’t move, then she returned the gesture. Her toes curled. She couldn’t stop the warmth that spread over her like sweet maple syrup drizzling over fluffy pancakes. Destiny had never felt so strong a connection to another woman. They really could have been sisters.
In a heartbeat, LeAnn stepped away.
“Don’t forget the boots.” Destiny cleared her throat, blinking away the moisture in her eyes.
“Oh yeah.” LeAnn smiled sheepishly. “It was nice meeting you,” she shyly told Vetis. “I hope you’ll be able to tell me all about how you found Destiny before you leave.”
His smile was that of a snake about to strike its prey. “Oh, I can guarantee we’ll meet again.”
LeAnn blushed and hurried to the door. As soon as it closed behind her, Destiny turned to Vetis.
“Don’t hurt her.”
“Me? Hurt her? Have you lost faith in me so soon?”
She glanced away as he meandered closer. She knew better than to push him.
“You think you have it all figured out,” he continued.
She squared her shoulders and met his gaze once again. “I know I don’t have it all figured out, but I know LeAnn has more of a chance at living a good life than I ever did.”