Fate's Cry

by Jalpa Williby

  “They’re saying I’m getting better. Even good enough to go home tomorrow,” Lisa said to Kelsey during one of her visits.

  “That’s good.” Kelsey smiled, encouraged by the news.

  “I don’t want to leave the hospital, Kelsey. I think he’ll find me and kill me,” Lisa cried.

  “Honey, do you have any family at all? I know you said you didn’t have anybody you wanted to be called, but even a distant relative? Maybe you should leave town for a bit? Maybe even start over somewhere.”

  “I have a great-aunt in Virginia. I’ve always liked her. I could go there and hide out, but I don’t even have any money,” she said, her bottom lip trembling.

  “Don’t worry about the money. When they release you, I’ll take you to the airport myself and buy you a one-way ticket. Make sure to contact your great-aunt and let her know.” Kelsey felt she was responsible for this young girl. “I want you to stay off of the streets, Lisa. Try to go back to school.”

  Lisa smiled, which was rare. “I’m staying off of the streets and the drugs. If I got a second chance to live, I’m not going to waste it away. I promise you, Officer Taylor. You’ll be proud of me.”

  “I’m already proud of you. You are one of the most courageous girls I know.” Kelsey squeezed her hand. “I have to go now, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  That night, she filled Damien in on her conversation with Lisa.

  “Have I ever told you how compassionate you are, my sweet Kelsey?” Damien said, caressing her cheek with his finger.

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “Please, that’s the least I can do for this poor girl who has been to hell and back. I don’t want her sticking around here anyway. I know she’d end up back on the streets, and it would just a matter of time before that sick asshole finds her again. The best option for her is to leave and start over.”

  “Can’t she be under witness protection program or something?”

  “She can’t tell us anything about the suspect. Even if we had an arrest made, what would she be able to testify if she never even saw the guy? Bottom line is there’s not even a suspect, Damien. We have nothing.”

  “When is she being discharged? Does anybody know she’s skipping town?”

  “I’m sure they’ll get her contact information in case they need her for something. She’s being discharged tomorrow,” Kelsey answered. “After I drop her off at the airport, the captain wants me to stop by at the station. He wants to talk to me about something.”

  “Wonder what all that’s about,” Damien said.

  “Not sure. If I had your phone number, I could text you as soon as I knew.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

  Damien laughed. “You already know I don’t carry a phone.”

  “Another lie. Everybody carries a cell phone nowadays.”

  “Not this guy.” He leaned into her and kissed her. “But trust me when I say that I think about you every second I’m away from you.”

  “Mm, that’s sweet, but that doesn’t mean I’m not irritated about you not carrying a phone. It’s almost like you don’t want to be located. I’m going to get you a phone for a gift or something. So, there will be no more excuses. I can always track you down.”

  Damien laughed again. “I’m sure you would, my little police officer.” Pulling her in his arms, he continued, “Can we take a break from discussing the case for a while? It’s consuming you.”

  Settling into his embrace, Kelsey said, “Sure. Hey, have you noticed that Tom is tolerating you now? I still think he doesn’t like you much, but at least he’s not freaking out every time you walk in.”

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve noticed. I’m not sure how long it’ll last—”

  “I think he knows you make me happy,” Kelsey said, smiling up at him.

  “I make you happy? I like that.” He kissed her again. “This is nice. Just holding you.”

  “Damien? Can you share something about you? Anything? It doesn’t even have to be anything that makes you uncomfortable.”

  He sighed and played with her hair. “Let’s see. I’m kind of a loner, but I’m sure you’ve figured that out. I do have friends, though.”

  “You do? You’ve never mentioned them.”

  “Well, they’re kind of different…you know, weird like me.” He chuckled under his breath. “But they’re like family, and I can turn to them for anything.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear that. I don’t really trust anybody. I trusted Sammy, and I check on his wife and his daughter every day now that he’s gone. I feel like I owe that to him. Plus, they’re an amazing family. You’ll have to meet Samantha one day. That’s his daughter. Oh, and my friend, Tina, is great too. She used to work at the museum with me.”

  “So, that’s less than a handful of people in your life.”

  “Yep, just the way I like it. How old are you, Damien?”

  “I’m old,” he replied, chuckling under his breath. “You don’t want to know.”

  “You don’t look old. I would think you’re in your late twenties.”

  “Okay, I’ll take it.”

  “Damien, what’s going on here? With us?” Kelsey decided to be direct. She’d been wondering how they had gotten so comfortable with one another so quickly, even though he hadn’t shared any more information about him. It made no sense to her, and her behavior was completely uncharacteristic and irrational. Although she barely knew him, it felt like she’d known him forever.

  “What do you want, Kelsey? With us, I mean?” Damien lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him.

  “I want you. I want us. I can’t explain it, but there it is,” Kelsey said, turning away from him. She knew she was risking everything, especially her heart.

  “My dear Kelsey, you have me. You have no idea how I feel about you. What you mean to me. I would sacrifice everything for you.”

  “What’s happening, Damien? Why are my feelings so strong for you? It doesn’t make any sense.”

  Damien picked her up and carried her to her bed. “I need you, Kelsey.”

  Before she could process what was happening, he was already on top of her. Kelsey tried to catch her breath, but Damien’s kisses had her head spinning. When she felt his hands playing with her breasts, she bit her lower lip to stop the moan from escaping. This felt so good. He felt so good.

  With just as much intensity, she had his shirt off. Kelsey reached for his hard chest and his ripped abs. He was simply perfection. Bringing her lips to his nipple, she sucked hard.

  “Damn, Kelsey. Do you know what you do to me?”

  Damien pulled her t-shirt off to expose her bare breasts. Softly, his fingers stroked, running circles over her tender breasts, creeping closer to her erect nipples with every touch. Kelsey trembled, her need so extreme, she was sure she would burst. When his tongue circled her nipples, Kelsey arched her back, screaming out his name. With shaky fingers, she reached for the button of his jeans.

  “Kelsey, I can’t.” Damien started to pull away.

  “We’re not stopping, Damien. Not this time.” Kelsey could barely recognize her own voice, as her lungs couldn’t inhale enough oxygen.

  “It’s not right. No, you don’t know everything about me,” he said, trying to pry her hands off of him.

  “All I know is I want you right now. I don’t care about anything else.” Kelsey was desperate to pick up where they left off, her body begging for him.

  “Yes, you do. You do care, trust me,” he said, standing up from the bed. “I’m sorry again. I can’t seem to resist you.”

  Pulling the blanket to cover herself, she mumbled, “You’re resisting me just fine right now.”

  “Not because I want to, believe me. I’m stopping this because you don’t know the truth about me. And because I care about you, I’d feel like a lying, deceitful asshole if we went any further.”

  “Then tell me! Tell me what I should know about you, Damien. How long do you think we can keep resisting one another?” Kelsey was annoyed at hi
s rejection once again. When he remained silent, she continued, “Why won’t you tell me the truth? What are you so scared of?”

  Rubbing his face, Damien’s soft voice said, “I’d lose you, Kelsey. That’s what I’m scared of. I’m too selfish to lose you, so I’ll hold on as long as I can.”

  Kelsey kneeled up on the bed to reach for him while he remained standing. “No, you won’t lose me. You have to believe me. I’ve never felt like this about anybody.”

  With a sad smile, he caressed her cheek and tucked her tousled hair behind her ear. “My sweet Kelsey. You always want to believe the good in people. Let’s call it a night, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “We don’t have to do anything, but I’d love for you to sleep here. Maybe you can leave very early in the morning,” Kelsey suggested, not willing to let him go just yet.

  Damien hesitated, shaking his head. “I don’t know. I mean, I suppose there’s no harm in it. But I’ll probably be gone before you’re even awake.”

  Kelsey could tell Damien was still contemplating, but she really wanted him to stay the night. “Okay, whatever, just come back to bed.”

  Damien grabbed her t-shirt from the floor. “Here, put this back on. I won’t be able to relax otherwise.”

  Giggling, she took the shirt and slipped into it. “Happy?”

  Crawling back into bed, he pulled her into his arms. Inhaling the scent of her hair, he whispered, “Mm, great idea. This sleeping over thing I mean.”

  “I told you.” Kelsey smiled to herself as his strong arms wrapped around her tighter. She hadn’t slept with any man overnight. Even though they did nothing more physically, Kelsey couldn’t feel more content.

  Sixteen

  The next day, Kelsey picked up Lisa from the hospital and took her straight to the airport. She bought a one-way ticket to Virginia and gave her five hundred dollars to get started on her new life.

  “I can’t take this,” Lisa said, her eyes misting up.

  “Yes, you can and you will. I only wish I can do more to help you,” Kelsey said while they waited by the gate.

  “I will never forget you,” Lisa whispered. She suddenly gave Kelsey a quick hug before boarding the plane.

  Kelsey waited until the plane took off. She only hoped that Lisa would stay true to her word and stay off the streets there.

  Driving straight to the station afterward, Kelsey entered Kevin’s office.

  “You wanted to see me?” she asked as she watched him with his head buried in his paperwork.

  He looked up and flashed her a smile. “How are you doing, Taylor?”

  “I’m doing okay.”

  “Have you seen the psychologist as recommended?”

  “Yes, sir. Well, I went once. After the first appointment, I didn’t need to go back.”

  “I was looking at the report, Taylor. The doctor said you requested not to return to any more appointments. You told him you were doing fine?” Kevin walked around his desk.

  “Er, yeah, more or less. Honestly, I’m really doing fine,” she insisted.

  “Well enough to return to work? It’s been almost two weeks since the funeral. If you’re up to it, I’d love to have you start.” He folded his arms across his chest, waiting for her answer.

  “Absolutely! When can I return?” A part of her was excited because she knew she’d have more resources accessible to her for the case, but another part was also apprehensive about who her new partner was going to be.

  “I’m pulling you from nights, Kelsey. I have an opening during the day, so I’d like to give it to you.”

  Kelsey had always wanted the dayshift, but she wasn’t sure of the motive behind Kevin’s decision. Did he think she was incompetent to work the nights after what had happened?

  “I’m also putting you behind the desk for a little while,” Kevin continued.

  Grinding her teeth, she asked, “Is there something you want to tell me directly, Captain? Is this some type of demotion?”

  Kevin approached her, and cupping her chin, he lifted her face to make eye contact. Kelsey’s heart raced at his close proximity. When he softly rolled his thumb on her bottom lip, she caught her breath. Knowing she was entering a danger zone, Kelsey stepped back. When she met his eyes again, she caught him trying to hide a smile. It was as if he knew her heart was beating uncontrollably at his touch.

  “Not at all, Kelsey. You’re still fairly new to the unit, and that’s the only opening I have during the day,” he softly answered.

  Rolling her hands into a tight fist, Kelsey lifted her chin up stubbornly. “Then I’ll stay the nights.”

  “Nope, not an option. Let’s see how this works out for you. Then I’ll assign you a partner, and you can go back patrolling the streets again. I’ll see you bright and early on Monday.” He turned back to his desk and buried his head into his paperwork once again.

  Frustrated, Kelsey departed without saying another word. The whole encounter with him had left her feeling irritated. Without meaning to, her thoughts drifted to last week when Kevin had kissed her. She wasn’t sure how she felt about the kiss, and although he hadn’t tried to kiss her again since then, she knew they both were playing a dangerous game. The fact that he was a very attractive man didn’t help the matters any. Truth be told, she knew she was attracted to him.

  Refusing to analyze it further, she pushed the thoughts of Kevin away. She was happy that she was at least going back to work. Even if the desk job was boring, she may be able to access some information on the case.

  On her way home, she stopped by to see Sammy’s family. As soon as Samantha saw her car pull up, she ran toward her.

  “Aunt Kelsey is here!” she yelled.

  Sofia came out as soon as she heard her daughter. “Hey! So glad you’re here. Please tell me you’re staying for dinner?” Sofia asked, pulling Kelsey for an embrace.

  “I’d love to,” Kelsey replied, happy to see everybody.

  The rest of the evening, Sofia and Kelsey caught up on everything. Kelsey was happy to see that Sofia and Samantha were doing well. She was just disappointed to tell her there were no leads on the case when Sofia asked her.

  “I swear, Sofia, I will not stop until I find this guy,” Kelsey promised.

  “Please don’t do anything stupid, Kelsey. When I saw what you said to the press, you sent a message to the killer…that wasn’t a wise move. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You know Sammy wouldn’t want you to handle this recklessly.” Sofia shuddered as she reached for Kelsey’s hand.

  “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” Kelsey assured her.

  Seventeen

  After reaching home, Kelsey took a hasty shower, knowing Damien would be over soon. When the doorman called, she assumed it was for Damien. But when he notified her that Jason was downstairs, she cringed. What was he doing here?

  “Miss Kelsey, your friend is insisting that he must see you,” the doorman said.

  “Fine, send him up,” she said reluctantly. She thought she had made it loud and clear things were over between them. She decided to let him know that he was not allowed to contact her anymore.

  When Jason knocked on the door, she opened it, wondering what he possibly could want. As soon as he entered, she could smell the alcohol and cigarettes on him immediately.

  “Jason, what’s going on? Why are you here?” she asked, closing the door behind him.

  “Isn’t it obvious? I fuckin’ miss you! Why do you think?” Jason slurred his words.

  “You’re clearly drunk. Look, you need to leave.”

  “Didn’t you hear me? I miss you! Are you already dating another guy?”

  “You and I were never dating, Jason! We went on a few dates, and we talked couple of times a week. That’s it! There was nothing more. Tomorrow, you’ll regret all this. Please, you need to leave now.”

  “I had no idea I would miss you this much. I’ve never felt like this before.” Jason stepped closer, trying to reach for her.

 
“Stop! You don’t even know what you’re saying. I don’t know how much you’ve had to drink, but I’m not going to say it again. Leave now.”

  “That’s the problem with you. You’re too damn cocky for your own good. You think you’re all that because you’re a cop? Guess what? I hate cops.” Jason kept coming toward her.

  Kelsey didn’t want any problems, but he was really out of line with his behavior. If he stepped any closer to her, she decided she’d have to use a maneuver to restrain him. Before she could do anything, though, there was a knock on the door. Without a second thought, Kelsey swung it open, hoping it would snap Jason back to reality.

  When Damien walked in, his eyes instantly landed on Jason. Surprised to see another man, Jason stared back with glassy eyes and walked toward him with staggered gait.

  “Who is this?” Jason demanded, turning toward Kelsey. “Are you dating this guy now?”

  “I’m her boyfriend,” Damien replied as if it was the most natural answer. “Can I help you?”

  Her boyfriend? Kelsey was shocked at Damien’s response and watched the encounter with her eyes wide.

  Jason turned to Kelsey. “Boyfriend? What the hell! You’ll pay for making a fool out of me like this.” He charged toward her, but before he could manage even a step in her direction, Damien had him pinned against the wall.

  “I’m giving you exactly two seconds to leave this place. Do not come back, or you’ll have me to deal with,” Damien threatened.

  Kelsey was completely bewildered at Damien’s speed and strength. How was he still holding Jason up against the wall?

  Jason looked terrified while he nodded. As soon as he was brought down, he dashed out of there without a second glance.

  Turning toward her, Damien asked, “Your ex-boyfriend?”