Page 37 of Every Breath

Brandi looked at Mason and felt sad. He had a point. “I never thought he would do anything to hurt me.”

“Can you say the same thing after tonight? How well do you know him?”

“What are you saying?” she asked with confusion.

“It was obvious to me that your friend is a little unbalanced. Tell me something. How many times did he propose to you before you accepted?”

Brandi frowned. “How did you know he proposed more than once?”

“Lucky guess. How many times?”

There was such a serious expression on his face that she gave him the answer without hesitation. “Six.”

“What made you finally agree?”

She paused as once again she tried to remember and couldn’t. She had been drunk and didn’t know what had happened.

“Well?” he challenged.

Just then the power went out. Brandi let out a little yelp. She hated the dark. Mason’s arms wrapped around her trembling body and he kissed her on the top of the head.

“It’s okay. I’m here. Brandi, I don’t think it’s safe here tonight. Come home with me.”

“I…I can’t.”

“Yes, you can. I’m not about to stand in the dark with you arguing about it. Go light a candle and get your overnight bag. Where’s your flashlight?”

“In the kitchen, in the top drawer by the stove.”

“Okay. Stay here. I’m going to get it and check the breaker.”

She nodded. “Hurry back.”

“I will,” he said before grabbing her and giving her a quick kiss on the lips. Her body reacted instantly, but it was over too soon. When Mason left the living room, she remembered the matches in her desk drawer that she could use to light some candles.

The circuit breaker was fine. Everything should have been working, so why was it dark? He knew how conscientious Brandi was about paying her bills. Mason suspected Rodney had done something to the power line from outside.

“Rodney didn’t do anything to the power. I turned the lights out.”

Mason nearly jumped out of his skin. He shined the light on Paul, who was looking more serious than usual.

“Why the hell did you do that? Brandi is scared of the dark.”

“I did it because you were treading on dangerous ground, my friend.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mason, I told you that you are not allowed to tell her what Rodney did.”

“And I didn’t.”

“You were getting pretty close. If she’s going to find out, she’ll have to do so herself. Besides, don’t you think she’s been through enough tonight without letting her know that Rodney slipped her a roofie that night, then put his ring on her finger?”

Mason sighed. His friend had a point. When he was in heaven, he was outraged at how far Rodney would go to get what he wanted, but he had been helpless to do anything. Now that he was back on earth, he felt just as helpless. When Rodney rushed into the house, Mason wanted to do more than punch that bastard in the stomach, but Brandi stopped him.

Seeing Rodney again regenerated the deep hatred he felt for the other man. If it were the last thing he did, the bastard would not get away with everything he had done. There had to be a way.

“I know what you’re thinking. JC wouldn’t smile on your murderous intent.”

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