Page 4 of A Tortured Temptress
"Hello," I pause and wait.
"Giselle is that you," a sweet kind voice comes across the line. She sounds like she's in a wind tunnel, but I don't say that. Declan taught me that I'm not supposed to identify where people are if they call me so that if someone is listening in, they can't find either of our locations.
"Yes. Hello." I don't say her name, but Kelsey was a really good friend. I wouldn't be here in Belfast if not for her. My case worker in Chicago is a distant cousin of Kelsey's and she helped me get here. I lived with Kelsey for almost two years before I moved in with Fiona and the other girls. Kelsey lived on the outskirts of Belfast, south of the city, but she moved to Norway with her new husband, and I needed to get out on my own. She's very sweet and helped me with finding places for me to continue doing my glass blowing so I'd have an outlet. Something I missed doing the whole time I was in Chicago while recovering and going through rehabilitation.
"I didn't want to call but I thought you should know, Mona was found murdered a couple days ago."
Her statement gives me pause and I stumble for a moment in my walking. Mona was my caseworker from the moment Taliah and Declan got me moved into a hospital in Chicago. I had to stay in a hospital in Seattle for several months to recover but then they sent me to Chicago for the final stages. It's where I lived for nine months. Mona is Kelsey's cousin. Mona worked with Declan. I start to worry that with Mona dead that means Declan is too, but I push that thought aside not wanting to really believe that such a strong presence is gone.
"Do they know what happened?" I choke out the words as I find a bench to sit on and process everything.
"Witnesses say it was a man. I'm away from there but you aren't, it's him and you could be in danger. The police told her family that it appears she was tortured. He left a picture of you from the night you were shot on her body."
"I've been trying to reach my friend. I'll leave him another message but if not, I'll have to go out on my own." I can't react to the fact that I know Britain is now on his way to kill me finally. I have to focus on the fact that I need to get away. Declan taught me how to hide in plain sight so I can do this. I'll need to get my savings up again and get cash. I don't use credit cards so that won't give me away. I have two in my name, but they just sit in my wallet as part of my cover and just in case for a rainy day as he would say. "Stay safe." I end the call and try to calm my ragged nerves.
When I finally make it to work, I'm stressed out and on edge. I clock in and put my purse on the table in the employee break room before putting on my apron and walking out to the front.
My day has been awful. I've messed up orders. Spilled drinks and finally I've even burnt myself. Burns don't bother me that much because I'm used to them from blowing glass. I need to go to the workshop and do some work to get my mind off the fact that I'm freaking out about Mona dying.
"Hey Giselle," an excited voice says from behind me. I turn around and see Ronan and Deandra standing at the counter.
"Hello," I reply back softly smiling as I move to the cash register. "The usual?" They come in here just about every day after they get done with classes. Ronan is in fashion design classes at the university and Deandra is studying art. Her and I have had a few classes together at times. Even though I'm going for a degree in Social Sciences to become a social worker I take art classes so I can use the glass workshop.
"Please," they both say and I ring them up after I mark their orders down. They move away and head to a table near the windows.
"Do I get the same service as those two," a deep voice I don't recognize says and I look up to see a guy I don't know standing at the counter. From his appearance of jeans and a uni hoodie I'd assume he's a student too.
"What can I get you?" I force a smile to my face, just like I've done with everyone else but the girls. They are my friends, so I don't have to force being nice to them.
"What? I don't get that sweet smile you just gave them? Are you into girls?" He sounds bitter but I force the smile again and try for nice.
"They are my friends. I'm sorry what can I get you. Today's special is on the board." I point up to the specials board and tap my fingers against the counter waiting for him. When he finally doesn't say anything, I look back up at him and he's staring at me. "Let me get their drinks while you try to figure out what you want." I turn my back on him and make the drinks and grab the pastries that Ronan and Deandra usually get. He's still standing at the counter when I call Ronan's name to come get their order. I move back to the register. "Have you decided yet?"
"Giselle is it," he leans forward looking at my name tag. I pull back not liking how close he's gotten to me.
"Yes."
He finally orders and I start working on what he wants.
"Allen," I call his name, but he doesn't get up, he stays seated watching me. I look around and realize he wants me to bring him the drink. I open the door to the back room and let the manager know I have to step away and walk his drink to him. We don't normally do this but he's being a pain and I just want him to leave so I'll do it. "Here you go, Allen." I hand him the drink. His fingers brush mine and I hold the cringe in. I start to turn away, but he grips my wrist tight and pulls me back to him.
"Oh, Ellie you don't want to leave. Have a seat. Let's get to know each other." I'm trembling from the nickname before he continues with the rest of his statements. I can't help it. Only one person called me that and after the phone call today the fear grips me tightly.
"Don't call me that. My name is Giselle." I pull my arm from his and step back. My words are forced from my tight throat and I'm trying to hold it together.
"I like Ellie Belly," he laughs, and my hand is flashing out before I can stop myself. That name is even worse. The nickname he said as he fired the gun the last time at me.
"My name is Giselle," I scream as I feel arms wrap around me pulling me back. I calm when I smell the cigar and whiskey-soaked outdoor scent that is all Shane.
"Thanks dude she just freaked out," the guy says and one of Shane's arms releases me locking around his throat. I turn my body burying myself into his chest as his strong hand constricts Allen's air. I'm not freaking out about that at all.
Shane
Her body calms in my arms and it causes me to see more red. Not because of her but because this arsehole thought he could touch her.
"Don't ever touch her again," I growl at him as he slowly starts to discolor from lack of oxygen.
"I'm calling the coppers," a woman says but I'm still watching this man slowly die in front of me. He touched her. I don't need to look at her wrist to know he marked her. I only heard her yell her name at him, not what he said or what caused this. I was in motion and out of my car when he touched her.
