Both of Her Page 15

  “No. God no. I just want you to make it go away. Make this all go away,” I cry out.

  “I’m trying, sweetheart. God, I’m trying so fucking hard. I know you don’t want to talk about it, but you were dreaming about him, weren’t you?”

  He caresses my back and massages my neck, and reins kisses all across the top of my head trying to calm me. I feel myself relaxing in the safety of his arms, but the memory is still there.

  “He was hurting me,” is all I can manage to say. The thought of reliving my nightmare has me turning cold. He must feel me shiver, because the next thing I know, he has me wrapped up in the comforting warmth and the delicious smell that only he is capable of providing.

  “You’re not alone in this, Luca. I’m here. I will always be here and when I tell you I’m not going anywhere, I mean it,” he says quietly.

  “Do you think I’m a whore?” My eyes start to prickle with tears. My heart is so full of love for this man, yet so full of the pain I’m causing him, it’s nearly gutting me.

  “No, I don’t. I’ve never thought, nor have I looked at you as anything other than the woman I love.” Love. He said he loves me. I lose my grasp on any ounce of strength I have left. I cry again. Only this time they are tears of happiness. I’ve never had a man tell me he loved me before. It’s more gratifying than any piece of jewelry or designer gown. It’s by far the best words I have ever heard in my entire life.

  “Say it again?” I request through heaving breaths of crying mixed with delightful laughter.

  “Say what?” I hear the amusement in his tone. “That I love you?” Taking me off of his lap, gracefully as if I weigh nothing, he lays me back down on the bed. His strong fingers run through my hair. His eyes soft.

  “I do love you, Luca. I’ve loved you for so long.”

  “I love you, too,” I whisper into the face of my protector.

  “Don’t scare me like that ever again. Whatever that nightmare was about, know that I will fight until my last breath to protect you. And baby, I’ve just found you again, I plan on breathing for a very long time.”

  “Hold me?” I ask.

  “Always.”

  EIGHTEEN

  “Hey babe, you look like shit.” Lola comes strolling in the kitchen, her makeup perfect with her hair piled on top of her head. Fucking Bitch.

  “I don’t care.” I shrug and blunder my way back to the coffee pot. You would think after being wrapped up in Camden’s arms all night I would’ve been able to sleep. The way he held me, and repeatedly told me how much he loves me should have made me feel content, safe. I don’t. I’ve never felt so threatened in my entire life. I’m a shell of myself, with no grip on reality. My sanity is completely gone.

  “My god, Luca. I know that dream felt real, but honey, it was just a dream. A horrible one, but it wasn’t real, sweetie. Come on. Cheer up.” Slinging her arm around my shoulder, she slightly bumps me with her hip.

  “I’m so scared, Lola. It’s as if I’m a marionette and someone else is pulling the strings, taking control of my life. I can’t focus on work. I can’t leave here for fear I’m going to be taken to that god damn freezer. It’s like the scariest part of a sick psychological movie keeps flashing in my mind every time I close my eyes. And Camden, he’s trying to be so strong, but this is wrenching him apart.” I pause, my shaky hands lifting the coffee cup to my lips for a sip. Even the taste of the caffeine is bitter on my tongue.

  “Jesus, Luca. Like I told you this morning when you and Camden told me about this nightmare, you need to focus on something else.” Moving to stand in front of me, she places both of her hands on my shoulders. “Let’s get massages and try to relax. Staying in this suite comes with a free massage you know.”

  Aw, Christ. I don’t want a massage. The last time I had one was the one Heath provided for me. The one where I gave myself to him and enjoyed it. The thought of having a massage ever again is enough to make me physically ill. You’re a whore. You’re a cunt!

  “Shut up.” I drop the mug of coffee on the floor, the brown liquid splashing all over the tile. My hands move to my hair, gripping at my messy strands. Lola jumps out of the way, dodging the steaming liquid. It dawns on me I could have burned my friend, hurt her. As I look into her glassy eyes, I realize she’s still hurt, even though she dodged the coffee.

  “Shit. I didn’t mean you need to shut up. I’m a fucking mess. His voice won’t leave my head. I’m a whore, Lola. He kept telling me that and I am. I’m no better than the one’s out there on the street who take crack, cocaine, or any drug they can get their hands on as payment for spreading their legs for someone.” My shoulders slump. She pulls me into her arms and I go willingly.

  “You are not a whore,” she softly speaks.

  “No, she’s not and if I ever hear her talk about herself like that again, I’ll break my promise and walk out the door.” I see the hurt on Camden’s face, the pain in his eyes, and the tremble of encouragement in his voice. It’s all there. The man looks just as tired as I feel.

  “I’m sorry,” I say meekly.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, baby. Don’t ever be ashamed of anything you’ve done in your life. Ever. There isn’t a single person who cares about you who will judge you for a damn thing, so listen to me and quit judging yourself. And another thing, Lola is right. You need something to do. Take my phone, call Leo and Annie and tell them what’s going on, so they can get back here and help maintain Divider. Mitch can’t handle it all alone and you’re not in any state of mind to make rational decisions. Luca, I promised I wouldn’t let anything happen to you and I meant it. I firmly believe Heath will listen to me when he is found.” I stare into his big blue eyes. They shine back a life full of promises, the color so serene and vibrant.

  “Damn, bitch. He’s bossy. I bet he bosses you around in the bedroom, too.” Laughter rings throughout the suite. Pure joyful laughter that I haven’t heard for days, comes out of both our mouths. Leave it to Lola and my bossy man to try and cheer me up. The only problem is my inner mayhem and fear that if Heath wants to hurt me then nobody will stop him. Not even Camden.

  “Are you sure you don’t want a massage?” Lola steps into the kitchen fifteen minutes later with a white robe and pink fuzzy slippers on her feet.

  “No thanks. I really do need to call Leo and Annie.” I try and stifle my laugh. The woman is freaking gorgeous. No one but her could rock a pair of fuzzy slippers and still look like a damn model. Bitch.

  “Well he should be here any minute.” She cocks her cute little hip to the side.

  “He?” I question.

  “Of course he. I don’t want a woman rubbing up all on me. Not that she can’t do a good job, but this body right here, it requires the services of a man.” She takes her hand and waves it down her toned, skinny little frame. Again, Bitch.

  “I’m going to laugh my ass off if he’s not into chicks.” Grabbing Camden’s phone, I start to make my way down the hall to the bedroom.

  “Oh he will most certainly be into this chick. I hope his name is Pierre or Stefan.”

  “Have fun,” I holler back. God, I love her. Even though I feel like I’m dangling on the verge of dying at any time, there’s nothing more satisfying than the support of your best friend.

  Lounging on the bed, I punch in the security number Camden gave me and press the button for Leo’s number. I need to call him first. Annie and I have been on such a rocky edge lately I want to be able to actually talk with her; to tell her how sorry I am for taking my frustrations out on her. She needs to know how much she means to me and I don’t mean how valuable she is at work. I mean personally. I love her.

  “Jesus mother fucking Christ. What?” Leo belts in my ear.

  “Leo?” I draw my brows up. His greeting takes me back. Leo’s the most laid back person I know.

  “Fuck, Luca. Where in the hell are you? I’ve been trying both you and Mitch for two damn days. No one’s answering the phones at the office. I’m in th
e airport in Miami. I’m coming home, without tying up this deal, because I’m worried out of my damn mind. Fuck!” I’m silent for a long time. The wheels spinning. Poor Leo freaking out over this so far from home.

  “God, Leo. I’m so sorry. It’s been crazy around here. So much has happened and I should’ve called you.”

  I dive right in and tell him everything. I tell him about the office. The bracelet. I leave nothing out, except the nightmare. I cannot relive that again. I even tell him I would bet money on the fact that Mitch has finally turned off his phone, so he can properly fuck his wife like he said he would. That comment earns me my Leo back with his small dick joke about Mitch.

  “Well, fuck. I’m on my way. I’m here for you, Luca. You know that.”

  “I know, and we will get through this. Just stay at home, everything else can wait.”

  He snorts. “Fuck that shit. If Mitch can get some ass while were off, then so am I.”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Seriously, Luca, listen. I’m glad you have Camden and Lola there, but if I find out anything else has happened and you don’t call me right away, I’m going to personally kick your ass.”

  I know he’s teasing, but I promise him none the less.

  “Is Annie there with you? I really need to speak with her too, please.”

  “Huh?” He pulls in a sharp breath which makes me pull in one as well.

  “What is it? Did she stay and try to finish up with the contracts?” I’m hoping she did and he’s just being his asshole self. If she stepped in to help, that would be a huge weight off of all of our shoulders. Hell, that woman can give a speech just as good as the rest of us.

  “Annie’s not here, Luca.” I jump off the bed, the adrenaline already running. “What do you mean she’s not with you? Like she’s not at the airport with you?” I can feel the heat creeping up my skin. Something is wrong. Very, very wrong. “Leo?”

  “Annie didn’t fly down here with me, Luca.”

  “Excuse me? She’s not there?” This entire situation whirls through my head. What if Heath kidnapped her? What if she’s hurt? Or worse, dead.

  “Luca, her phone rang the minute we stepped into O’Hare. She told me it was you and that you’d changed your mind. What the hell is going on?”

  I drop the phone. It crashes against the soft carpet. Leo is screaming my name. It can’t be. No, I don’t believe it. I never called Annie. This entire time I thought she was down south with Leo and she’s not. Does Heath have her? Did he force her to tell Leo I called? Is she not hurt and involved?

  Annie, what have you done? I think, crumbing to the floor. My knees yield to the hopelessness, the heartbreak, and the fact that I’ve underestimated her. My friend. One of my most valued employees. She knows everything. How could this happen? And why? Why would someone I’ve treated and grown to love like a sister set out to destroy me? My eyes are painfully dry, stinging from holding back the tears I refuse to let loose. I’m so damned angry. The signs were all there. Her bitter words. The way she would look at me like she wanted to spit in my face, slap me, strangle me. It was all there and I was lost in my own little world, feeling like a bitch because I treated her poorly, when all this time she’s the one who had been plotting behind my back. Oh fuck no.

  I pick up the phone and run down the hallway toward the den where Camden has been all day still searching for Heath. I holler into the phone to tell Leo to go to Mitch’s house the moment he lands and get to the hotel. Disconnecting before he says anything else, I gasp for air as I run right into Camden just as he is exiting the room.

  “What the fuck, sweetheart? What happened?” He stills me by grabbing my arms. I’m shaking. Another piece of me is dying on the inside.

  “It’s Annie,” I say painfully. “It’s not Heath. It’s Annie”

  “Luca, calm down. What are you talking about?”

  My head shakes, drooping between my shuddering shoulders. My ability to speak has left the building. My heart is bleeding, scabbed over and bruised so badly. I’m terrified if I spit out the words my confused heart, which is already so damaged, will bleed out. God, how could this be?

  “Luca. God damn it. Talk to me.” I’m shaking again, only this time it’s Camden shaking me by my shoulders, snapping me out of this diluted trance.

  “It’s Annie,” I say with bitterness, choking out her name. It leaves a foul taste in my mouth.

  “I don’t understand?” Sorrow routes across his expression.

  “Do you trust me?” My foolish mind travels to my mouth, expelling words I pray are true.

  “Of course.”

  I bury my face in his masculine chest. He grips my waist, sliding his comforting hands around to firmly embrace me. With my ability to speak subdued against his body, my heart tears right down the middle.

  “Call the police, Camden. Annie never left Chicago. It’s her. Heath isn’t out to hurt us. She is.”

  NINETEEN

  We sit on the couch, waiting patiently for the police to arrive. The howl of the fierce wind rasps for our attention. Another storm is brewing outside. The same viscous cold storm that’s become apparent in between Camden and me.

  For the first time in all the years I’ve known Lola, she remains tenderly quiet, sitting in the chair across from us. I’ve explained to both of them this sixth sense I have that it’s her.

  “Don’t you both find it ironic as hell that both Annie and Heath are missing?” Lola speaks, bringing her knees up to her chest. I smirk, even though not one damn thing about this is funny.

  “I’ve thought of that. They have to be working together. I’m just trying to wrap my brain around how they could move so quickly. It was only a few weeks ago when I first met Heath. For the two of them to work so fast like this is nearly impossible.”

  I blanch when Camden removes his arm from around me and stands. He’s trying to hold himself together, but his temper is soaring. Carefully, I look up to him, praying I don’t see regret or any sign of a mistake for being with me on his handsome face. If the two of them are out to destroy us, then Camden and I need each other more than ever. I refuse to lose him over two selfish, crazed individuals for their fucked up reasons on trying to do away with me.

  “This is going to be a long night. I’m jumping in the shower to wash off the oil from my massage. While I’m in there, think about where Annie could be. I just may kill the psycho bitch.” Lola positions herself into standing, moving past Camden. A tender smile on her lips.

  Blue eyes fasten onto mine, hazed over, glistening with moisture. I jump up, wrap my arms around him, and hold on for dear life. Silence seals around us like an envelope. He feels so right, so comforting in my arms. “I love you.” Three words spoken so rarely over the years from my mouth, but I mean them. My love for him seeps out of every pour. Every vein. Every cell of my entire body.

  “I love you, Luca. I always have.”

  The doorbell rings. Camden release me with a tender kiss to my forehead.

  “You ready?” he asks.

  “As long as you’re by my side when I tell them who Lucia is, then yes, I’m ready.”

  He nods. I watch him advance toward the door, out of my sight. I cringe knowing I have to tell the police all about my life. My reputation of being a savvy business woman will be ruined. Plain and simple, I really don’t care anymore. I’m in love with a man who loves me back. Who wants me regardless of my past, my impulsive decisions and my reckless behavior. Me, he wants me.

  Loud, angry voices have me running in the direction of the door. My feet cease. My bravery comes to an end when my eyes set sight on the situation before me.

  “Well it’s about fucking time, you selfish whore.” He chuckles. His arm is around Camden’s neck. A gun shoved into my loves temple.

  “Baby, go get my gun. It’s in the top drawer of the dresser.” Camden struggles to talk, his face turning red. I didn’t even know he had a gun here.

  “I’ll shoot him, Luca. I swear to fucking god.
I’ll blow his god damn brains out all over this sixty-five hundred dollar per night fuck pad of a whorehouse you’re staying at if you even blink your eyes.”

  I shake my head, struggling to breathe. I watch in horror at the man I trusted with my life stands there and squeezes the life out of the man I love.

  “You? It’s been you this whole time? Why? I don’t understand?’

  “Of course you wouldn’t understand. You’ve had your pussy shoved in the face of every man on this planet, except for the one who’s been standing right in front of you the whole mother fucking time. Now shut the fuck up and get your ass over here. I’m not stupid. I know you’ve called the cops.”

  “Screw you. I’m not going anywhere with you.”

  “You’ll never get away with this, asshole. You fucked up man.” Camden rears his elbow back right into our enemies gut. He grunts and Camden spins on him. I take a step backward, ready to go get his gun. The next thing I know a shot is fired. The only man I’ve ever loved crumbles to the floor. I scream for help.

  “Colin! What have you done?”

  Before I can even comprehend the deceit, the true savage nature of the hatred directed at me by the man I’ve trusted with so much of my life, I’m the one being held at gun point.

  “You better move those fine feet of yours or you are next,” Colin growls out in a low tone. He has got to be fucking with me. Yet, when I am shoved toward the door, passed Camden’s still body, I know that I am in big trouble. Nothing has ever felt so damn real until this moment. I feel like I’m walking across hot coals and spiky nails at the same time. Everything in my body hurts. Every single cell screams for me to halt and remain with the man I love.

  The scene replays itself over and over in my head. A dark cloth is placed over my head and I hear Annie’s small giggles behind me as we walk down a corridor. It’s long and I know Colin has passed the elevators. Of course, they won’t take me out of the hotel through the elevators.