Back To Me (27 page)

              Lauren slowly walked towards me and enveloped me in her arms, and I allowed myself to fall apart. Better to do it now and get it over with, than to have to explain to Sam. She’d be devastated if she knew Billy was gone, and I couldn’t do that to her.

              “It’s all gonna work out, sweetie,” Lauren promised. “It seems bleak right now. I understand that better than anyone, but it
will
be alright.”

              “Why do you keep saying that?” I finally asked. “What’s really going on, Lauren?”

              Her gaze looked everywhere but to me. “Please,” I begged, “I won’t follow him if he doesn’t want me to, but I just need to know he’s alright.”

              “I think he’s okay,” she admitted, “but I haven’t talked to him directly. He was so mad….”

              “So he really left because I made a damn mistake?” I yelled, disbelieving he could be so cruel.

              “In part, yes, but there’s more. I swore I wouldn’t say anything.” Lauren fidgeted nervously as she wavered on what to do.

              “I’m not going to push you to tell me anything, Lauren. I guess if he really wanted me to know he’d tell me.” The best thing I could do right now was to play it off. I had to act like it didn’t bother me.

              “Let’s get out of here,” I suggested.

              I took one last look around before closing the door behind me. Lauren put her key into the lock and turned it, securing the house until Billy decided to return. Whenever that might be.

36

Billy

              “Where are you?” I whispered.

              “Right here, princess, calm down,” Blake said softly from beside me. “You’re actually on time. I’m impressed.”

              “Yeah, yeah, yeah, smart ass. So what’s the plan?”

              Blake looked at me confused. “What? Thought you had all this figured out?”

              “Nope,” I said, pronouncing the ‘p’ sharply.

              “Hmm, that’s unlike you.”

              I nodded my head in agreement. “Yep,” I quipped, popping the ‘p’ once again.

              We sat quietly in the dark, watching Raul and Sergio through our binoculars. I had already filled Blake in on everything I could remember, from the time I left him and George until I walked out on Heather at the hospital.

              “Was he here?” I asked.

              “Who? Tom?”

              “Yeah.”

              Blake let out a sigh. “No. He was gone around the time Heather was poisoned. He made a call and sent me a message he’d be away for a few days. Think that’s a coincidence?” he asked.

              “No. Do you?”

              “Not at all. Can’t believe he’d do it though,” he admitted.

              “Me either, but seems we don’t know old Tom like we thought. Here’s what I don’t get,” I explained. “Why has no one at the top questioned this whole damn thing?”

              Blake shrugged again. “Don’t know, man. My paycheck doesn’t go that high. All I know is George was brought in to put an end to it all. Tom’s going down either way, so you might as well get the satisfaction of taking him out, right?”

              I grinned a devious, wide smile. “My pleasure.”

              Raul was meeting with another one of his helpers while Sergio stood behind him like a trained monkey. I wondered how he’d managed to tolerate Raul for so many years, but I knew greed played a big part. For the right price you can buy anyone’s soul.

              We waited and waited, but there was no sign of Tom. “Haven’t you heard from him?”

              “No,” Blake bit out. “He was supposed to have been back yesterday.”

              “What the hell, man! Why didn’t you tell me?” I exclaimed. “I left Heather! What if he’s still there?”

              I immediately pulled out my phone and dialed Luke. “Hey, how’s it going?” he asked.

              “Not good. Listen, Tom’s not back yet. Don’t let Heather outta your sight!” I ordered.

              “You got it, man. She and Lauren just walked in the door with dinner. I’ll make sure she stays put, and the alarm is on. You have my word.”

              I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer. Thank God she was there and she was safe. “I know, man. I know I left her in good hands. Look, if anything happens…..”

              Luke stopped me right there. “Nothing is going to happen, Billy. I’ve got this,” he assured.

              “I know. Kiss your girls, man. Keep ‘em close.”

              “I will. Take care and be safe.”

              “Will do,” I promised. I disconnected the call, wishing I was there with Heather now. To hold her and tell her how much I loved her. I wasn’t so sure she’d ever believe me again.

              “She okay?” Blake asked, breaking me from my reverie.

              “Yeah, Luke said they just got home.”

              “She’ll be fine, Billy, but right now, you gotta get your head outta your ass. This isn’t kids play. This is serious,” he scolded. “Literally life and death. Let’s do what needs to be done so you can get back to her.”

              “Let’s do it.”

              We turned our attention back to Raul and his transgressions. We didn’t have to wait long before things went south.

              “What the hell?” I murmured.

              Coming in from the back of the warehouse was Tommy, being led in handcuffs by someone I didn’t recognize. Following behind him were seven women, dressed scantily, obviously from the bar.

              “Well, well, well,” I continued. “If it isn’t our friend Tiffany.”

              “Yeah, the bitch is back,” Blake deadpanned. “She’s in charge of the girls that Raul is auctioning off to the highest bidders.”

              “
Shit!
” I exclaimed.

              “Yeah, tell me about it.” Blake’s jawline went rigid. I knew him to be a good guy, but there seemed to be more going on.

              “Tiffany’s been back for about a year. Deal is she keeps Raul and Sergio happy, she gets to live. Dumb bitch doesn’t believe she’s disposable.”

              “Even after everything that’s happened?” I asked, puzzled how anyone could be
that
stupid.

              Blake shook his head. “Her job is to keep the girls so drugged up that they don’t know what’s going on half the time. Keeps them in cells in the back of the warehouse until it’s time to pay for their keep.”

              I watched in amazement, confused about Tommy. I just had to ask. “Why’s he in handcuffs?”

              Blake chuckled. “Old Tommy boy is finally figuring out that he should’ve never gotten mixed up in this shit, that’s what’s going on.”

              “Care to elaborate?”

              “Raul wanted Sarah. Sarah is Tommy’s girl and so he refused. You know as well as I do that you don’t turn Raul down.”

              “Raul doesn’t know the meaning of the word ‘
no
’, nor does he care,” I surmised.

              Blake tapped the end of his nose. “Bingo. Tommy’s gonna learn that the hard way.”

              Just as Blake finished his sentence, I watched as the unknown man pulled his weapon, shooting Tommy in the back of the head. He fell right where he was standing, never moving again. Not even a flinch. I hated it for the guy, but I can’t say he didn’t have it coming. Harsh, I know, but this business isn’t for the weak, and I’d seen worse. Much worse.

              I looked away and gritted my teeth, getting myself under control. There was a lot to be done, and taking out Raul was only the tip of the iceberg.

              “You okay?” Blake asked.

              “Peachy,” I dulled out. “Where’s he taking the girls?”

              “Probably to the docks. That’s usually where the men are waiting. Some are very rich and only come in on their yachts long enough to pick their passion. Most are of different nationalities, financial backgrounds, and age. Middle aged men who get off on controlling a woman,” he bit out.

              I noticed a blonde who seemed to have Blake’s full attention. She was beautiful and just as out of it as the rest of them. They were all so robotic; zombie-like as they moved forward. Personally I couldn’t see the draw to any of them. They were dirty and disheveled, no doubt from the drugs and conditions they’d endured so far. My heart ached for them, and even more so when I realized that Heather could’ve been one of them. That thought alone made Tommy’s death justifiable. He was the one soliciting these women for Raul to sell, and as far as I was concerned he’d gotten what he deserved.

              “Holy shit!” Blake whispered.

              “What?”

              “There’s Tom,” he pointed.

              I grabbed my binoculars and tried to focus in on him immediately. Sure enough, there the bastard stood, looking as immaculate and as well-dressed as Raul. Since when did FBI agents have money to afford shit like that?
They didn’t
. It was becoming more and more apparent that he’d been in on this for a while.

              I watched as Tom and Raul exchanged a handshake and a pat on the back. It was unmistakable; I didn’t need any further proof that the two were in cahoots. My blood boiled as they laughed and joked, neither of them appearing to have a care in the world. It was as if all that had just occurred in front of them was normal.

              “What do you wanna do?” Blake asked, turning his camouflaged face towards mine.

              “Nothing.”

              “You serious?”

              “We go in there now and we’re both dead. That’s not going to help Heather and it’s not going to help the blonde that you seem to have a thing for,” I explained.

              I felt like such a damn coward. I wanted nothing more than to charge in there and take them all out, but it wouldn’t be a smart move.

              “So what then? We just sit and twiddle our damn thumbs?”

              “No. We wait. We get as much as we can. You got that camera?”

              “Yeah,” he replied, digging through his bag. Blake produced the high-telescopic lens camera with night vision, and I took it from his hands.

              I snapped a good fifty or sixty pictures, satisfied that it’d be enough. Surely it’d be enough to get my ass outta jail when I was tried for murder. I wasn’t a fool to believe that this was anything less, but drastic times called for drastic measures. Would Heather hate me for shooting her father? Probably, but I hoped not. Would she be pissed that I kept the truth from her? Definitely yes, but it was just a chance I had to take. If it kept her safe, it was all worth it.

37

Heather

              Lauren and I didn’t speak much on the way to her house. What was there to say? I knew where she stood and she certainly knew the same about me. My heart was crushed, and as a woman, Lauren understood that perfectly. She was wrestling with her loyalty to Billy and her compassion for my situation. Trying to drag the truth out of her about what was going on wouldn’t be fair.

              “We’re here,” she spoke softly as we pulled onto the drive leading up to her impressive house.

              I unbuckled my seatbelt and reached into the back seat to gather my belongings. It was sad really. Here I was, at the age of twenty-six, and all my possessions were stuffed into a small suitcase and a duffle bag. Deciding not to dwell on what I didn’t have, I made the best of what I did which right now was a warm place to sleep and a family who was willing to help out a stranger. Beggars can’t be choosers.

              “Thanks for letting me stay,” I mumbled, halfway up the stairs. “I’ll keep out of your hair, I promise.”

              Lauren turned suddenly and took the duffle from my hand. “You can stay as long as you’d like,” she affirmed, “and you don’t have to stay hidden. While you’re here, this place is your home as much as anyone else’s. Just make yourself comfortable, okay?”

              I nodded. “I’ll try.”

              “Good.” She unlocked the door and called out to Luke. “We’re home, babe!”

              Within seconds he came around the corner, with his ear glued to his phone. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who he was talking to. He disconnected the call quickly and exchanged a look with Lauren, confirming my suspicions. Again, I didn’t say a word.

              I diverted my attention to the grand staircase while they said their hellos. Listening to them kiss wasn’t exactly something I wanted to witness, but it would be rude to tuck tail and run.

              “C’mon, I’ll show you where the guest room is and we can get you settled,” Lauren offered.

              “We’re happy to have you here,” Luke interjected. “Stay as long as you’d like.” He gave a half-hearted smile and nod, trying to convince me that
any
of this was a good idea.

              I returned the sentiment. “Thanks, Luke. I really appreciate you and Lauren letting me stay.”

              I spun quickly, refusing to let him see one single tear fall. I knew he’d report it back to Billy, and I didn’t want him worried about me. He’s the one who left this time; the one who gave up on us. If his life was in danger, and I was sure it was, I wasn’t going to give him one more reason to get his fool-self killed.

              “It’s right down here,” Lauren said, breaking my thoughts. “Sam’s room is next door. She’s with my mother-in-law right now, but she’ll be thrilled when she gets home and realizes you’re here!”

              I did have to smile at that. “Me, too. She’s such a precious little girl,” I boasted.

              “She can be a handful,” Lauren tossed in, “But I wouldn’t trade her for anything in this world!” She smiled as she talked, all the while with a glimmer in her eye. Besides the fact that Sam was her daughter, she just had that way about her that drew everyone in.

              “There’s plenty of drawer space if you’d like to unpack, and you have your own bath so you’ll have some privacy.” Lauren walked to the window and opened the curtains, then spun on her heels to face me.

              “Thank you,” I whispered. I couldn’t get much more out before the dam would burst, and I silently prayed that she’d just go. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate everything she was doing, but right now I needed to be alone.

              “You’re welcome.”

              She did just as I was hoping and walked back to the bedroom door. Lauren hesitated with her hand on the knob.

              “Dinner will be ready in a few. Come on down when you’re ready.”

              “Okay.” I didn’t turn to face her again. I couldn’t, but when I heard the door close I allowed myself to really fall apart.

              I fell face first onto the bed, plopping myself right over the top of my luggage. I didn’t even care that the rough zipper of my suitcase was digging into my hip or that the handle from my duffle bag would leave a mark across my cheek. I was crumbling too much to care about anything. Billy was gone.
He left
. While I had been hit with that harsh reality days ago, I had not allowed myself to release the hurt. Not until now.

              I cried for what felt like hours, though I had no idea how long I’d barricaded myself in the room like a prisoner. All I wanted was Billy, and nothing would be right again until he was home. Even if he no longer wanted me at least I would know he was safe, and that would have to be enough.

              When there were no tears left to cry, I drug myself from the bed, really feeling the effects of the uncomfortable position I’d been in for so long. My body was weak, but I managed to get to the bathroom. One look in the mirror confirmed my fear about the marks on my face from the zipper. I looked like hell and I felt like it, too. Many more days of this and I’d lose myself completely. It was all just too much.

              I turned on the shower, anxious to get under the hot spray for the first time in days. A
real
shower is just what I needed. While waiting for the water to warm, I gathered a clean pair of panties and some fresh clothing. My yoga pants were the most comfortable thing I had; that and one of Billy’s oversized tees.

              The hot water soothed my aching body and overly-tired bones. It mixed with the remainder of my tears and helped to wash them away for the moment. I wondered if they’d ever dry up, and I concluded that
no
, they probably wouldn’t. Just like the last six years of my life they would come and go, but at least if I could feel the pain it was proof that my heart was still beating.

              I took a longer shower than normal, scrubbing every part of my body. I hadn’t realized just how sore I was until I started bending and stretching. The poison had really done a number on me, making its way through my bloodstream and rooting itself deep within. The doctor warned that it would take days before I started feeling like myself again and I was dreading each one.

              I dried myself and applied lotion to my overly dry skin; another side effect of the drug as well as the balmy weather. It wasn’t exactly cold yet, but it was cool and there was a breeze that seemed to blow constantly.
Billy’s arms would keep me warm.
The thought popped in my head before I could stop it and the water-works started again.
Damn him!

              I towel dried my hair and brushed my teeth. I wasn’t particularly hungry and didn’t feel like going downstairs to join the festivities. I sent Lauren a quick text, as tacky as that sounded, to let her know I was just going to turn in for the night. As I was climbing into the king-sized bed, a light knock came on the door.

              “Heather? It’s me,” Lauren spoke softly.

              “Come in,” I called back.

              The door opened slowly and the first thing I noticed was a moppy-head of brown curls.

              “You’re here!” Sam exclaimed, bounding over and climbing onto the bed with me.

              “Sorry,” Lauren apologized, “she insisted on seeing you for herself.” She laughed ruefully, embarrassed for me, I think.

              “It’s perfectly okay,” I admitted, and it was. This was just what the doctor ordered.

              “Hi, Sam!” I said, excitedly. “How are you?”

              “Gooooodd,” she drawled out in her adorable voice. “Where’s Bilwy?”

              My eyes darted to Lauren, begging for help.

              “Um, pumpkin, Mommy told you had to go out of town for a while, remember? Heather’s going to stay with us until he gets home.” Lauren looked miserable. It was obvious her heart was breaking not only for me, but for her daughter as well.

              “Okay,” Sam spoke sadly, letting her little head fall forward and her shoulders slump.

              I didn’t know if it would be okay or not, but I spoke before thinking to ask Lauren’s permission.

              “Know what helps me?” I asked, looking Sam directly in the eyes. “I’m sleeping in his shirt so I don’t feel so lonely. I have an extra. Would you like to borrow it?”

              Sam’s eyes went wide as saucers. I didn’t know what Lauren was doing because I was afraid to look her way.

              “Yes!” Sam exclaimed, as if she’d won the lottery. She began to jump up and down on the bed, which I knew was a no-no.

              “Okay,” I said, calmly. I took her hands in mine to settle her down. “You have to promise to take very good care of it,” I urged.

              Sam nodded her little head. “Yes, ma’am.” The girl definitely had manners.

              I got up from the bed and made my way over to the corner where my bags were sitting, still untouched. I rifled through to the bottom and picked one of his three shirts; each one as priceless as the next. They would all be very large on her, just like they were on me, but if it made her happy then so be it.

              It was one of my favorites and I could picture Billy wearing it now. It was a generic shirt, Fruit of the Loom, or something like that, but he made it look designer. The simple V-neck showed off his impressive chest, along with the rest of his physique. God, I missed him so damn much!

              I spun and faced an expectant Sam. Kneeling on the bed, she was bursting at the seams to get her little hands on something of ‘Bilwy’s’. Her sentiment was precious and melted my heart.

              Walking slowly towards her, I felt the anxiousness creep up in my throat. Were it anyone else, I wouldn’t have dared to offer up such a treasure, but this was Sam. And although these were
just t-shirts
to anyone else, they were gold to Sam and me. I knew she’d protect it as much as I would.

              “Here ya go,” I said, handing her the soft grey fabric. “Do you want to put it on?”

              Again, Sam nodded her sweet little head yes. Lauren moved over to help Sam steady herself on the squishy bed. I slid the shirt over her untamed brown curls and pulled it down. Her feet were completely covered and the short sleeves came down to her wrists. It was a sight; a sight of heartbreaking sadness and preciousness all the same. I smiled, or at least I think I did, and leaned forward to plant a kiss on Sam’s forehead.

              “Now you won’t miss him so much,” I whispered.

              Sam flung her arms around my neck and held on for dear life. I’d just given her something that meant more to her than all the toys in the world. I hugged her back and finally braved glancing at Lauren. To my surprise, she had tears of her own. She peered down at me with wet lashes and mouthed ‘thank you’.