Authors: Connie Lafortune
I want nothing more than to forget about these bizarre visions. Even if it’s for a short time. So, since today is the Fourth of July, I decide to go to Gage’s parents’ house. I know, I know. It might be a bit awkward but at least it gets me out of this godforsaken house. I’m tired of looking at the four walls and wondering what the hell I’m going to see next. Besides, I’m sure his sister Gabby will be there. I can’t even remember the last time we’ve talked. So we’ll have a lot of catching up to do.
When I slide into the driver’s seat with my renowned taco dip in one hand and a bag of tortilla chips in the other, I can’t help but notice that my hands are trembling. I shouldn’t be nervous. The Mitchells have been nothing but welcoming in the years that I’ve known them. So I should be calm and collected, right? Well, I’m not. Since this will be the first time I’ve seen them since my infidelity. I know they won’t judge me because of it, but I hurt their son. And I have no idea how many details Gage has shared with his mom and dad. All I can do is cross my fingers and hope for the best.
The Mitchells live in a cul-de-sac, so once you’ve driven down their road, there’s no escaping. Cars of every make and size are parked haphazardly around the yard. So I park behind a black SUV just in case I have to make a fast getaway.
One Mississippi, two Mississippi…
“Lyra! Oh my God, you came!” I barely have time to get out of the car when Gabby wraps her arms around me. Her embrace is so constricting, I can’t catch my breath. “I’m so glad you could make it,” she whispers.
“Me too.” And I am, until she pulls away and scrutinizes me. Head to toe. Instantly, my cheeks flush and my palms grow damp. Until I can’t stand it any longer. “What, Gabby?”
“Sorry, Lyra. But Gage said you weren’t coming because you weren’t well, so I conjured all kinds of crazy things in my head.” And with that, she pulls me in for another fierce hug.
“I’m fine, Gabby. Really.” Wait a second. Is he here? “Gabby. When did you last talk to Gage?”
“I picked him up at the airport last night, silly. Are you sure you’re okay?”
This can’t be happening! He never told me he was coming home for the party. I feel like such a damn fool. This is his home and I have no business being here. I shiver the moment Gabby’s hands slide up my arms. And when her eyes meet mine, their filled with compassion. “What’s going on between the two of you?”
Before I can answer, I hear his voice. “Gabby. Why don’t you bring the chips and dip to the party and leave Lyra to me.” His voice, so calm and collected, causes me to tremble. And when I feel the heat from his body gently against my back, I wish it were last year. Before I’d met Ryker Steel.
“Lyra, do you want me to stay?” I love the thought of Gabby acting as our referee, but it’s not necessary. “No. Go enjoy the party. We’ll meet you there in a few.” Gabby gives her brother a dirty glance before grabbing the food and strutting off.
I need to leave. Now! When I try getting back in my car, one strong arm picks me up and pulls me in. Now I’m engulfed by his scent and enveloped in his arms. I can feel tears threatening to fall but I need to reign them in. I don’t want to get into this with his family around.
“Mom said you hadn’t responded to her invitation. God, Lyra. I would have told you I was coming if I had known. I miss you so much, babe.”
That’s all it takes for the tears to fall. “Shh. Don’t cry, Lyra. C’mon. Let’s go for a drive so we can be alone.” Gage quickly fastens my belt and wipes away my tears. Before leaning in and placing a tender kiss on my lips. Stealing the very air I breathe. I’m nervous once he backs out of the drive and heads down the road. This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t feel anxious with a man I’ve known for so long. Especially Gage. When he reaches over and threads his fingers through mine, I let him. And my heart aches when he gently rubs my thumb with his. It’s so familiar and comforting that for a few minutes I forget why we’re taking this drive, until he pulls into our driveway. Ours. But for how long?
“Let’s take a walk along the beach, Lyra. You know if we go inside Cody will distract us, and we need to talk.”
My knees feel weak as we walk hand-in-hand along the shore. When I stop for a minute to slip off my sandals, Gage isn’t willing to let go of my hand. That’s a good sign, right? God, I hope so. He steadies me with his other hand so I can grab my sandals before standing. And when his eyes meet mine, they’re filled with desire. His mouth comes crashing down on mine as he devours my words before I even have a chance to speak. Warm, wet, and hungry. My shoes slip through my fingers as Gage brushes his hands through my hair. Making me wet and wanting. “Fuck, I missed you so damn much,” he whispers against my lips.
“I need you, Gage. Crazy things have been happening that I can’t explain and I’m afraid I’m losing my mind. Please, don’t leave…”
I lose all train of thought when his phone rings. Clearly, he’s agitated by the interruption as he yanks it out of his pocket. “Yeah. What do you want? I’m a little busy right now.” I watch as he pinches the bridge of his nose, listening to whoever is on the other end. I jump when he screams, “Fuck you!” before winding up and hurling his phone into the water with a resounding splash….
Ryker
One week ago…
I wish I could say I’m relieved now that I know who is responsible for my wife’s death, but I’m not. I’d suspected him, but I never had any solid proof. Until today. I lost the very air I breathed and the love of my life. Carlos Rodriguez was the one who ordered the hit. On Lyra. And Bella just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now I will spend the rest of my life seeking justice. Once I’m finished with Carlos and Joe the ‘hitman’ Stone, they will never see the light of day. Ever again.
Unfortunately, Cole wouldn’t let me anywhere near them. Smart man, because I would have killed them with my bare hands. Trial be damned! They were being interrogated behind a one-way glass, while I stood there and watched. It was the most difficult five hours of my life. Once it was finally over and we were rehashing everything in Cole’s office, he handed me a glass. “Here. Drink this, Ryker. It looks like you could use a little something to dull the pain.”
I wanted to tell him that nothing would dull the pain, but I knew he was just trying to help. “Thanks, Cole.” I had quickly grabbed the glass and tipped it back. Allowing the burn to make me feel. Something Bella would never be able to do again. “Hit me again.” I remember smiling when I watched him pour me about three fingers’ worth. I knew at that rate, it wouldn’t take me long to get shit-faced.
I sat back, resting my foot on the opposite knee. As Cole hesitantly handed me the glass. Calmly, I rolled it back and forth in the palm of my hands, warming the brown liquid. But I was far from calm. There was a storm brewing deep inside of me that was ready to explode. So I tipped the glass to my lips and downed it in one long swallow. Fuck! It felt like a thousand daggers disemboweling me. Once it had finally settled in the pit of my stomach, I had found my voice. “Are you trying to kill me, Cole?”
“Not at all. I just thought after the news you heard today, you could use something a bit stronger.”
“Yeah, well. There’s nothing on this Earth that would be strong enough to make me forget. Bella’s dead. And nothing will ever bring her back to me.”
His jaw ticked when his gaze met mine. “We might not be able to change the outcome, but at least we know who ordered the hit. We’ll make sure the both of them spend the rest of their lives in prison. C’mon, you’ve waited almost four years for closure and it’s now within your grasp. All those months you spent alone at the cabin weren’t in vain. You knew it was Rodriguez all along. We just didn’t believe you and I’ll be the first to apologize. I never thought in a….”
“Stop! Don’t you dare!” Rage filled me with a vengeance. Cole just didn’t get it and he never would. I hated that I’d never be able to tell my best friend the truth.
I remember the weight of the glass being too heavy in my hand. So I had stood up with every intention of putting it on his desk. But I reeled around and threw it as hard as I could against the back wall. And watched as it shattered into a million pieces. Just like my fucking heart!
“Feeling better now?” he had asked. First, you have to understand that Cole is a cocky bastard. Only he would have had the balls to ask at a time like that. If it had been any other guy, they’d be peeling themselves up off the floor. Several times.
“Actually, no.” I had replied. “I need to get the fuck out of here. Could you have Robert drive me back to the hotel?”
Cole wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted on driving me back himself. On one stipulation. We had to take the two goons with us because the press was still lurking about. Yeah, I wasn’t happy, but I wasn’t in any condition to argue. Luckily, everything went without a hitch. And Cole assured me he’d do everything within his power to lock them up for good.
That happened over a week ago and it’s all I can think about. I was hoping once my suspicions were confirmed, I could move on. But I can’t. So I did the one thing I promised myself I would never do. I moved next door to Lyra. Somehow, I was able to convince the Murphys that they’d won a timeshare to Alaska. Who knew they’d always wanted to go? Which worked out great for me. They came home while Lyra was at work, packed what they needed for their trip, and went on their merry way. And now I’m housesitting for them. It’s a win-win. They get what they want and so do I. My prize is so much greater than theirs.
I currently spend all of my free time spying on my next door neighbor. Today, I’m not liking what I see one damn bit as I stare out the kitchen window. Gage and Lyra are walking hand-in-hand along the shore. Fortunately, they don’t look like the happy couple that left over an hour ago. Hmm, I wonder if it had anything to do with his phone call. By the scowl on his face I’d say it did. Whoever it was is cooling off on the bottom of the sea right about now. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face. I’m such a bastard.
This is one of the reasons why I decided to ‘rent’ the house from the Murphys. So I could keep an eye on her. But I need to be extra careful. I wouldn’t want Cody discovering her new neighbor. Me. The other reason being that I want her back. Fuck! Gage was supposed to be gone for six months. That was the deal. Now, I have to concentrate on getting lover boy back to Toronto. If Lyra only knew I was the one responsible for Gage’s new position, she’d never forgive me. So, here’s to hoping she never finds out…
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lyra
I desperately wanted to talk to Gage while he was down for the Fourth. Unfortunately, phone call after phone call kept him distracted the entire time. Something is definitely going on. I asked him where he got his new phone after he’d flung his original in the water, and he assured me he’d ordered a new one while I was in the bathroom. I didn’t want to call him out on it. After all, I hadn’t seen him in months and I wanted to spend some time with him. Sadly, it all ended too soon when Mr. Mitchell kindly dropped off my car. Gage insisted on giving him a ride home. He wanted me to go back to the party too, but I feigned a wicked headache and declined. I knew I should have never gone there to begin with. So much for trying to fit in. Saying goodbye seems to get easier and easier as time passes by.
I tried calling my mom earlier today, but it went directly to voicemail. Again. I had thought about going home for a visit, but why bother? They’re always so busy working or attending charity events that I’d either have to tag along or stay home alone. Yeah, I can do that in the comfort of my own home, thank you very much. So I spend all of my free time curled up on the couch having a love affair with my Kindle. It never lets me down and within seconds I have a new ‘book boyfriend’ to go to bed with every night. Isn’t that every woman’s fantasy? Unfortunately, it doesn’t compare to a warm body tangled with mine, but it will have to do for now.
Wouldn’t you know, my mom’s ringtone would go off right in the middle of a sex scene? The heroine is wet and willing and ready for nine inches of hard steel. Oh, steel. How can I forget about him when everything reminds me of him? “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”
“Sorry, Lyra. It seems like we’re two ships passing in the night. Is everything all right? You sound breathless.”
If she only knew the half of it. “No, I’m good. I just had to jump up to get my phone.”
“Dad and I were thinking of visiting you and Gage sometime in August. Somewhere between the twelfth and the thirtieth. Pick whatever time works best for the two of you.”
Oh damn. They have no idea Gage is in Toronto because I didn’t tell them. Ugh, this is why I avoid phones, planes, and visits. Too many questions I’m not ready to answer. But I really need to talk to someone about my mental state. Now that I’m living alone, I’m worried. “Mom, I’ll have to get back to you about the dates. Gage is crazy busy and I’m not sure when he’ll be available. But there is something I need to talk to you about.”
“Anything, sweetie. What is it?”
“You remember those hallucinations I had all those years ago? Well, they started happening a lot lately and I still can’t explain any of them. They seem so real and it’s kind of scary.” She’s going to think I’m certifiably insane. Once again.
“Are they the same ones as before, Lyra?” Great! Mom sounds like she’s ready to hop on the next plane.
“I’m not quite sure. That’s why I wanted to run it by you. They’re about ballerinas, pink tutus, blue eyes and all sorts of weird things. Does that sound familiar to you? Hold that thought, Mom. Cody’s whining to go out and I can’t hear a word you’re saying.” Cody started prancing by the door the second the phone rang. If I wait any longer, I’ll have to clean up her mess. “Okay, Mom. She’s outside now.” I don’t want to tell her about the note I found inside of Cody’s collar or the ballerina that was left inside my mailbox. If I do, she’ll say that’s the reason for all of this angst. I want to see if it’s similar to what happened to me in the past.