Page 60 of Dare
Shenods and lays her head on her knee.
“Ithought he just threatened you. You never said he touched you.”
“Ididn’t want you to go after him and screw up your house arrest.”
Irest my palm on her cheek and she nuzzles it. “Did he…sexually assault you?” Ifshe says yes, she’s signing that fucker’s death warrant right here and now.
“No,he choked me, slapped me once. That’s all.” Her whole body is tense again.
That’sall. I need him in front of me now. I need to break him in half. “Okay,” Ireply, fighting to keep my voice even. “We don’t have to talk about it rightnow.” I just want her to take it easy.
Acomfortable silence falls between us as I wash away the remnants of herterrible day. “Relax awhile, darlin’ and I’ll order us some dinner. What soundsgood?”
“Somethinggreasy, then something drowning in sugar.”
“Yougot it, babe.”
Hehurt her,chokedher. I shouldn’t be surprised since her skin is proofof what he’s capable of, but all I can think of now is squeezing his throat theway he did hers, watching his eyes bug out, watching him panic.
Watchinghim die.
Landonpicks up on the first ring and I step out on the balcony, explaining everythingto him. “We can’t,” Landon says.
“What?”
“Wecan’t feed him to the pigs. Dare, think, man. He has a case against you and hisgirlfriend has a case against Ayda. You two will be the top suspects if he goesmissing. I know it’s hard, but you have to wait. Let this play out the way weplanned. Then, if you feel the same, I’m sure he could have an accident inprison.”
He’sright, damn it. “Do I need to come over there and keep you from doing somethingstupid?”
“No.Ayda’s here. I just…”
“Iknow. If it were Zoe, I’d feel the same way. I know how hard it is to just sittight, trust me, I’ve done my share, but you need to let us handle this. We’vegot your back, and Ayda’s. So go be with the only girl who doesn’t see what anasshole you are.”
Throughthe balcony door, I watch Ayda emerge from the bathroom, dressed in sweats withher hair falling around her shoulders. “Suck me sideways, dickwad.”
“Ifonly I liked baby food. Later, man.”
Myheartbeat has slowed and I’m not quite as worked up after venting to Landon,but I still have every intention of seeing Talbot six feet under. After makinga quick call to a local restaurant, I join Ayda on the couch. “Walking Dead orGame of Thrones?” she asks.
“Yourchoice, darlin’.” She snuggles into my arms, smelling of citrus and thecucumber lotion she uses. Her upper body rests on my chest while her shapelylegs tangle with mine. There’s an ache in my chest I don’t recognize, but Iknow it has to do with this petite woman with the smart mouth who hascompletely changed the way I see my future. She makes me want good things, tobe the type of man she deserves. Beside that ache in my chest is anotherfeeling I barely remember. Hope.
IfI wasn’t already sure Senator Coulter was pulling strings, the fact that mytrial date is set for only three weeks from now would be proof. It typicallytakes months to go to trial. Three weeks until I can set things right. Untilthen, I plan to keep her right here with me. Safe in my arms. In my bed.
* * * *
Beingcooped up isn’t nearly as bad with Ayda by my side, but I know it’s starting towear on her. Other than an occasional trip for groceries and other necessities,she hasn’t left the apartment in almost two weeks.
Shemet with a lawyer last week and agreed to drop the charges against Victoria ifshe’d do the same, so at least she’s not in trouble and won’t end up with acriminal record. Unfortunately, that means Victoria gets away clean once again.
Valentine’sDay is coming up, and I don’t know what to do for her, since I can’t leave thehouse. It’s time to call in reinforcements.
“I’dlove to!” my sister, Leah, cries. “I can’t wait to meet her! And I love thespa!”
“Thenget your ass here by nine a.m. kid.”
Shehangs up with a squeal that makes me smile. The girl is pure energy. My nextcall is to Landon, who gives me a ton of shit before putting his wife on thephone. “Zoe, I need help.”
Shelistens to me explain, then promises to be over by ten on Valentine’s morning.
