by Stacy-Deanne
“I haven’t since I joined The Circle.”
“Four years?”
“We can have visitors any time we want.” Rena dipped her chin into the water. “He came here a few times, but he wasn’t comfortable.”
“Why not?”
“We got into a fight the last time he was here. He kept calling The Circle a cult.”
“Well, he has a point—”
“It’s not a ‘cult’, Dee. It’s a family. I wish everyone would see that and stop making judgments about things they don’t know.”
“Be fair to your brother though. He’s probably worried about you. Does he live in Baltimore?”
She nodded.
“What’s his name?”
“No.” Rena shut her eyes. “I don’t want you to go see him or anything.”
Dee grinned. “How did you know I was thinking about it?”
“Because you’re a natural problem solver for everyone.” Rena bobbed in place. “You like to help and protect people. That’s why you’re a cop.”
Dee glanced up at the atrium, stars sprinkling the moonlight sky.
“You’ve been that way since you were a kid.” Rena swam around her. “Now it’s your turn to be taken care of.”
“Do you have any regrets about giving your life to The Circle?”
“That’s where you misunderstand, Dee.” Rena tilted her head. “I didn’t give my life to The Circle. It gave me mine.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Jonathan stood against the glass in the hallway, watching Dee and Rena in the pool. He tried to keep his mind on the spiritual mission of gaining Dee, but the more he looked upon her slender curves and ginger-brown skin, the desires of his flesh took over and he became helpless at the thought of touching her.
He pressed his forehead to the glass, desperate to go inside, but he’d promised Rena he wouldn’t interrupt them. Dee needed space and the last thing he wanted was to hold her too tight where she’d fly away and never come back.
“There you are.” Shauna stood behind him, her tall frame cloaked in a flimsy, white robe. “How do I look?”
He caught her spicy perfume that normally made the nerves in his cock swirl but not tonight.
He smiled as Dee did another majestic twirl in the water.
“I have a surprise for you.” Shauna rubbed his hand, her long, black crinkles blowing from the air conditioner. “Come on.”
Jonathan tore his eyes from Dee. “What’s the surprise?”
Shauna licked her thick, red lips. “If I told you then it wouldn’t be one.”
****
A minute later, Jonathan and Shauna entered the master bedroom upstairs and in front of Jonathan’s king-size, draped canopy bed sat a small round table covered in lace.
Two huge pieces of chocolate mousse sat underneath individual glass domes along with a bowl of strawberries and a bottle of nonalcoholic champagne.
“What’s this?”
“What does it look like, silly?” Shauna stood on the gold and white medallion rug, clasping her hands. “Thought we’d have a romantic dessert together and afterwards...” She looked toward the bed. “We can have the real dessert.”
“It’s nice.” Jonathan glanced toward the door with his mind still on Dee. “I’m just not hungry right now.”
Her face dropped. “You don’t eat a romantic dessert because you’re hungry.” She unleashed the robe from her shoulders and nothing hid her curves except a tiny, white satin bra and panties. “Are you gonna just stand there?”
“This is supposed to excite me?” He gestured to the little table. “Some cake and you dressed like a slut?”
“I’m tired of this.” She put on the robe. “I’m Head Mistress here. I deserve more respect.”
“Who are you to tell me what you deserve?”
“I’m not gonna cower around you like those other twats.” She paced, stepping on the end of her robe. “What’s changed? I’m supposed to be more important than anything and you’re treating me like crap.”
“Who do you think you’re talking to?” He grabbed her arm. “You’ve forgotten your place.”
“What about your place?” She ripped her arm away. “What about the promises you made me? When you made me the leader of the women I thought it meant I would be your only one.”
“Wait.” He chuckled. “You knew the deal.”
“I don’t care about you fucking them.” She swiped her hand through the air. “I mean your heart, Jonathan. You said I was the only woman who would ever have your heart.”
“Shauna—”
“You said no one would ever take my place and that I was special.”
“You are special—”
“You don’t act like it.” She waved her arms, hips swaying. “I love you more than any woman ever will. I was the first woman to join The Circle. The first to believe in you and you owe me.”
He smirked, pulling his lip. “Is that right?”
“Yes,” she spat. “If it weren’t for me you wouldn’t have The Circle. Who recruited the other women? Who trains the other women? None of them care about you or this mission more than I do. I want to get married.”
He laughed. “I’m married to The Circle in case you’ve forgotten.”
“That’s not good enough.”
“Well, if it’s not then maybe you should leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not letting a two-bit cop who doesn’t give a shit about you take my place.”
“Ah, we get to the real issue.” He rubbed his palms. “You’re jealous of Deidra. Well get over it, Shauna. She will be a part of The Circle. That’s my choice and if you don’t like it...leave.”
“Are you forgetting you can’t just push me around like you do the others?” She crossed her arms, hip sticking out. “I know everything, Jonathan. All your dirty deeds, your secrets, about what’s in your medicines. Everything.”
He peered at her, muscles in his jaws flexing. “You threatening me?”
“I love you with all my heart, but if you cross me—”
“Who the fuck do you think you are, bitch?” He grabbed her by the throat and threw her on the bed. “Huh?”
“Jon...” She clawed at his hands. “I...I can’t breathe.”
“That’s the point isn’t it?” Drops of his spit flew in her face. “You’re confused here, Shauna. Seem to think because you get in my bed more than the others you can tell me what to do but you can’t.” He slapped her.
“Ow.” She rubbed her cheek, sobbing. “Jonathan.”
“You don’t tell me what to do.” He slapped her other cheek.
“Stop!” She grabbed his wrists before he hit her again. “Please. I’m sorry.”
“You’d have nothing if I throw you out.” His bottom lip trembled. “You forget that? Where would you go? What would you do? I give you money, shelter and food. You’d be nothing without me.”
She shook, face turning red.
“You know the punishment for getting out of hand.” He climbed off her, fixing his shirt. “You’ve seen how far I can go. Do you want that? How about solitary confinement, huh? Would you like being locked up in the shed for a few weeks?”
“No.” She sat up, shaking her palms. “No, please.”
“Maybe then, you’ll remember who is in charge.”
“Please, Jonathan. Don’t put me in the shed. I can’t take it out there.”
“With or without you The Circle will thrive. I doubt it would be the same for you without us.”
“I love you.” Sadness tore through her face. “More than Deidra Quarter ever could. Don’t forget what I’ve sacrificed for you.”
“What you don’t get is that it doesn’t matter how Deidra or you feel. I want her and I’m gonna have her.” He went to the door and yanked it open. “You don’t like that, the door’s downstairs.”
He left.
CHAPTER SIX
Dee traveled the halls of Jonathan’s compound, arriving at the burnt-or
ange lounge made of marble floors. The space sported a gorgeous hand-painted ceiling with French Empire crystal chandeliers that flattered the Mediterranean mansion.
“Jesus.” Dee stared at the ceiling, wondering how such delicate details could be in a massive space.
“Impressed?” Jonathan stood under the arch with his arms folded, the black shirt and slacks making his silver eyes gleam.
“Who wouldn’t be?” Dee spun around, pointing to the colors in the ceiling. “Your home’s a freaking museum.”
He chuckled, walking down the little steps that led into the room. “My home extends me. Isn’t yours the same for you?”
“Not really.” She lowered her arm, still enraptured by the painting. “I love my place but it’s just a house. Yours is art. Why do you like the Mediterranean style so much?”
“The colors.” He stood by her and every hair on Dee’s arms rose. “The in-your-face style. Most men don’t care for a lot of color but color enhances mood. That’s important for your quality of life. It’s nice, isn’t it?” His arm brushed hers.
She turned away from his eyes, suffocating from his powerful stare. “I have to go.”
He gripped her wrist. “Did you enjoy your swim?”
She shook her head, eyes clenched. “I’m not coming back anymore. This is it.”
“That’s what you said last night and every time you’ve been here.”
She rushed to the doorway.
“Deidra?”
She stopped, exhaling as he walked in behind her.
“I don’t want you to stop coming here if this is what you need.”
She glanced at him over her shoulder. “It’s wrong.”
“I won’t pressure you while you’re here.” He clasped his hands, face contorting. “I’ll respect your space.”
“What?”
“This place helps you get through what you’re dealing with, and I don’t want you to stay away because of me.”
“This is your home, Jonathan. You shouldn’t have to change things for me. I have no business here.”
“I want you to have peace. That’s why I built this compound and welcome all who wish to come here. The pleasure it brings you is the same it brings me. I understand.”
“It’s like it has a hold on me.” She concentrated on the rustic furniture. “When I’m not here, it’s like something’s calling me back. Tonight, I didn’t wanna come but I couldn’t stop myself. It’s as if I need an excuse to come here.”
“And, it scares you?”
“Yes.” She fought tears. “Because if I keep coming back I might believe I belong here.”
“Can I ask you a question?” His jaw set. “Does Winston ever make you feel the way I do?”
“I love him.”
“I didn’t ask you that.” He walked in front of her and slipped his finger under her chin, lifting it.
“He makes me so happy.” A tear tickled her cheek.
“Are you sure?” He let her chin go and she shivered. “How can you be happy being second to another woman?”
“I’m not second.”
“He wants Lisa, and he always will.”
“You know nothing about my relationship with Winston. Only what Rena tells you.”
“In which you’ve told her.” His mouth twitched. “I’m not pulling this out of the sky, Deidra. It came from your lips.” He placed his finger on them. “Your beautiful lips I want to kiss every moment of the day—”
“Stop.” She pushed his hand away. “I’ve been in love with Winston Lewis since I first laid eyes on him. I’d be a fool to throw that away.”
“And, he’d be a fool to take such a woman like you for granted. A woman I’d give the world to if she’d let me.”
She turned to leave and he grabbed her.
“He’s cheating on you and you refuse to see it.”
“He would never do that.”
“Then why do you get so mad about him and Lisa? Listen to your intuition, Deidra. You deserve more than a man who pines after another woman.”
“How dare you judge Winston when you live in a mansion full of concubines you’ve brainwashed into thinking you’re better than Jesus?”
He squinted, frowning.
“Am I supposed to believe you’d treat me better? I’d just be another slave for you to sleep with.”
“I’m disappointed that you still don’t see the bigger picture concerning The Circle.”
“Oh, I see it very much, Jonathan. That’s why I’m determined to stay the hell away from all of you.”
“Your heart’s in this now.” His gaze focused on her lips. “Why do you think you keep coming back?”
“I’m gonna figure it out because I can’t let you get to me.”
He touched her cheek. “I already have.”
She scoffed, walking away.
****
The next day, the woman from the front counter took Dee and Connie to the back patio of the Pop-a-Pig Barbecue Restaurant.
“Hey, Frankie?” She fanned clouds of smoke. “Two lady officers wanna speak to you.”
Dee chuckled at the woman’s description of her and Connie.
“Just a sec.” The tall, hefty man in baggy jeans and run over sneakers, hoisted slabs of ribs into the stainless steel smoker.
“He’ll be right with you.” The short, obese woman wobbled back inside the building.
“What can I do for you?” Frankie Kerns faced them, wiping sweat off his face with the inside of his arm.
Dee and Connie introduced themselves and showed their badges.
“You’re homicide?” Frankie lifted his baseball cap, scratching through his short, ebony hair.
“We’re not investigating a homicide.” Connie sniffled from the smoke. “At least we hope we’re not. You know Boyce Vickers we hear.”
“I do.” He wiped his hands on his dirty apron. “What’s this about?”
“He’s missing,” Dee said, barbecue seasoning stroking her nostrils. “We’re asking anyone who might know something.”
“Umm.” He fidgeted, shrugging a shoulder. “You sure he’s missing? Boyce sometimes would just run off.”
“That’s what his wife said,” Connie said. “Yet, his mother insists something is wrong for him not to contact her.”
“That is strange.” Frankie’s Adam’s apple bobbled. “He’s close to Hattie and rarely goes a day without checking on her.”
Dee got out her pocket notepad and flipped it to a clean sheet. “Mind giving us a little history on you and Boyce’s relationship?”
“Known him since we were teenagers.” He propped his elbow on the smoker, sweating as if he’d hiked through the Amazon jungle. “We were closer than brothers until lately.”
“What happened?” Dee asked.
“He started acting funny and would have an attitude all the time.” He scratched the stubble on his chin. “Very temperamental like he was on his period.”
Dee raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“I meant no offense.” He stood straight, clearing his throat. “I meant he wasn’t sensible, and that’s when I figured he was drinking again.”
Dee stopped writing. “Boyce is an alcoholic?”
Frankie nodded.
“This is the first we’re hearing of this,” Connie said.
“He’s been sober for at least eight years so that’s why I wondered if he’d started drinking because this is how he acted when he was on the bottle before. He’d have mood swings like you wouldn’t believe.”
Connie fanned smoke. “When Boyce would run off, where would he go?”
“Sometimes he’d drive for days and get a motel somewhere. It sounds weird but that’s what he claimed.”
“Was Boyce seeing other women behind Ursula’s back?”
“Nah.” He leaned his head back. “Boyce is loyal to a fault. Maybe he needed a breather or something.”
Connie scratched behind her earring. “Then why not call his mother like he always
does?”
Frankie stared at the concrete. “That’s a good point.”
“How was his relationship with Ursula?” Dee asked.
“He loved her but he could’ve made her more a priority.” Frankie straightened his cap. “If I had a woman like Ursula, I wouldn’t even leave to go to work.” He cackled.
Dee nodded. “Call us if you think of anything that might help us.”
They handed him their contact cards.
“I will.” He smiled, shaking their hands. “Please, let me know if you find out something.”
Connie tipped her head. “Have a nice day.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“This is ridiculous.” Connie moved her cart through the frozen food aisle of the grocery store that night. “When did frozen meals get so expensive?”
“I was thinking the same thing.” Grayson Paul stood behind her, smiling over her shoulder. “Hey.”
“Grayson.” She chuckled, doing a double take. “I didn’t see you.”
“I was in the diary section.” He peeked into her cart, smiling through his silver-black goatee. “Doesn’t look like you’re having much luck finding anything to eat. Frozen food prices are horrendous.”
“You’re telling me.” She got a pasta dinner from the shelf. “Nine dollars for this?” She set it back in place. “I don’t eat frozen dinners, but didn’t feel like cooking tonight and fast food wouldn’t be smart.” She patted her soft stomach. “Getting a little thick in the middle here.”
“Where? Trust me you don’t have to worry about your shape at all.”
She switched her eyes away, anxiety hitting her stomach.
“I’m sorry.” He batted his sexy, almond-brown eyes. “Was that out of line?”
“No.” She displayed a nervous smile, flicking her long hair behind her ear. “It was a nice compliment.” Heat swam through her cheeks. “I do all I can to watch my figure.”
“Mission accomplished if you don’t mind me saying so.”
She shook her head, pretending to check out the display of dinners. “I’ve never seen you shop here before.”
“Sylvia usually does the shopping at the store by my house.” He grabbed the carton of milk as it tipped in his basket. “But, someone told me the prices were better over here so I gave it a try.”