Chaos (26 page)

Alyssa was startled from sleep by the motel phone. Blinking
rapidly to make her mind function, she answered.

“Tornado! Alyssa, get to the storm cellar at the end of the
building! Now!” Brian commanded as soon as he heard her voice. “Did you hear
me? Move!”

“On the way.” Alyssa flung herself out of bed, grabbed her
light, shoes and camera bag and raced from the room. In passing, she commended
herself for wearing her boxers and T-shirt to bed the night before. It wasn’t
exactly clothes but she was decently covered.

Entering the shelter, she relaxed somewhat when she saw the
entire group that she had spent the previous weeks travelling with. As the
other motel patrons joined them, she clicked on her light, telling the manager
to save his batteries.

“Can you believe this?” Brian stated as they all settled in
to wait. “All those days when we couldn’t find a cloud and now, when you’re
about to leave us, an F4 comes to us. That’s the weather for you.”

“Dad, why’s it so loud?” Murray asked as he squirmed his way
between his parents.

“Because, you’re not usually this close.” Seeing his son’s
discomfort, he added, “Don’t worry, Murray. This is a good, strong shelter and
we’re perfectly safe here.”

“Nothing’s going to happen to us as long as we stay put
until it passes,” Chris said to help soothe him.

Soon, the wind was roaring, rattling the doors that they had
barred once they were all inside. Alyssa felt as if her breath was being sucked
right out of her. She had witnessed several tornadoes the past few weeks but
none had frightened her like this one did. She could hear things crashing
around outside and shuddered, thinking it could easily have been her. Sitting
with her camera bag clutched tightly against her, Alyssa realized this was the
most scared she ever was in her life. All she could think about was what would
have happened if Brian hadn’t woken her. She’d be out there, blowing around
with all the debris, most likely dead.

As she waited, she let her mind drift to Shane. First, he
had been shot. She could have lost him. Now even though he didn’t know it yet,
she could have been taken from him without any warning. How could she possibly
have thought she could want to spend another day of her life without that man?
What was wrong with her? She knew she loved him as much as he loved her. It was
time to stop denying it and tell him. She didn’t want to continue to merely
have fun with him. She wanted it all, sex included. As soon as she got home she
would find him and begin their life together.

“You okay, Alyssa?” Chris asked gently, noticing how pale
their photographer looked.

“Actually, yes.” Alyssa smiled. “I’m going home today and
telling Shane yes to everything he insists he wants. I’m scared to death but
I’m done running from it.”

“Amazing what a little tornado will do to you,” Brian
muttered. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear it. I know Chris told you he’s
called a few times. Sounds like a good guy.”

“That’s wonderful!” Chris released Murray to hug Alyssa. “I
knew you’d get to this eventually. Sorry you had to be so scared before you
realized it.”

“Last night, I was thinking about how to tell him I wanted
to be with him anyway. This storm just made me see that the how isn’t all that
important. The telling is all that matters.”

The next half-hour was spent with the rest of the crew and
other motel guests offering congratulations. Alyssa decided that it was a
relief to have finally resolved the turmoil in her mind. Suddenly, she was very
anxious to get home.

When it was quiet outside, the group left the shelter to
survey the damage. “Well, it pretty much missed us,” Brian declared. “I don’t
think the rest of the town is this lucky. Let’s go see if we can help. Alyssa,
since the airport’s in the other direction, your flight should be on time.
Chris, why don’t you catch up with us after you drop her off?”

“Wait,” Alyssa cut off Chris’s response. “I’d like to come
with you. I can catch a flight tomorrow. I have lots of shots from yesterday so
I don’t think I should pass this up.”

Chris hesitated before she agreed. “We’ll see you in a few
minutes after we’re all dressed.”

* * * * *

Alyssa wandered slowly, clicking off photos as she went.
Once her group explained themselves, they were welcomed into the search,
leaving Alyssa mostly on her own. She was overwhelmed by the total destruction
of some of the houses. She had witnessed similar damage on a few other
instances but this was somehow much worse. She decided it had something to do
with the fact that she had just spent an afternoon with the people of this
town. One of the destroyed homes could belong to someone she had actually met.
How could these people stand to live there, knowing they might have to rebuild
several times in their lives?

An upended swing set balanced on a couch in the middle of a
pile of unidentifiable rubble caught Alyssa’s interest. Once she captured the
image from all angles, she continued to move around the area where houses had
stood a short time earlier. When she noticed a muddy, mutilated doll partially
under some mangled siding, Alyssa reached for it without thinking. With a gasp,
she realized it could be Dolly.

“Oh God,” Alyssa said to herself, sinking to the ground.
“What street is this?” she yelled to the nearest fireman. When what she was
looking at finally registered, Alyssa screamed, bringing several rescuers
running toward her. Protruding from the debris near where she had picked up the
doll was a small, muddy hand.

Chris fought to restrain Alyssa as the men worked to extract
the child. It seemed to be taking them forever to move the things that the
tornado had stacked on top of her. Just as she was freed from the tangled mess
that surrounded her, Alyssa broke away from Chris. The last thing she saw
before she passed out was Cherlene’s tiny unmoving form.

Shane was lounging comfortably at the kitchen table with
Jordan and Kiley. He had stopped to visit them on his way back to his parents’.
There had been a hearing the afternoon before that Shane had attended as his
last official act before his resignation could be finalized. When Jordan had
invited him for dinner on his way by and insisted he spend the night, he
couldn’t come up with a good excuse not to. He couldn’t wait for Alyssa to come
home so he could tell her and stop hiding Flynn. But, no matter how inconvenient
it was, he had to keep his son a secret until she knew about him. It simply
wasn’t right to tell anyone else what he’d done until after he had a chance to
share the news with Alyssa.

“McKade.” He rose from the table in case it was Flynn
calling.

“Don’t say my name,” Alyssa said in a rush.

“Sure, Captain, what can I do for you?” Shane’s mind was
racing with possibilities as he tried to sound casual.

“Where are you?”

“I stopped over at my brother’s last night, after court. Do
you need me for something before I head back to my parents’?” What was wrong?

“Shane, can you come to my studio? I’m home and I need you.”

“Is everything okay?”

“No. Yes.” She was crying. “Please come.”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll be there as soon as I can be.”

“Don’t drive like a crazy man,” she sobbed. “I’d rather you
take longer and get here alive.”

“Again, no problem. I can leave now so I should be there
within the hour.” Shane fought not to run from the room.

“Thanks,” she sounded somewhat calmer. “Shane? I love you.”

What the hell happened to her?
“Ah, yes. Me too.”

“I’m sorry. I should have waited…”

“No, no, that’s perfectly all right. Hold that thought and
we’ll discuss it in person as soon as I get back to town. Sit tight, Captain.
We’ll figure it out.”

“Can you leave now?”

“Yep, see you soon.” Shane listened as Alyssa sighed and
disconnected the call. “Change of plans,” he explained to Jordan and Kiley who
were openly watching him. “It seems as if I have a little more to do after all.
I guess I’d better get it over with right away.”

Jordan seemed to sense that his brother wasn’t telling them
something but surely understood that he must have a good reason. “Fine. Stop
back again when you can.”

“Can’t you at least stay for breakfast?” Kiley asked.

“I’d better not.” Shane looked to Jordan for help.

“Let him go, sweet,” he murmured as he caught her to his
chest. “I think, since he can’t stay, we should take advantage of the
opportunity and let me serve you breakfast in bed.”

“But…” Kiley protested, not wanting to be rude to her
brother-in-law.

Shane nodded his thanks to Jordan, knowing he owed him an
explanation later. “Don’t worry about me, Kiley. I appreciate your hospitality
but certainly don’t want to interfere with my brother’s plans for you. Have
fun.” He forced a grin and a wink before he slipped out the door.

As soon as Shane was out of sight of the house, he called
Alyssa back. “Alyssa, what’s wrong? Are you all right? Why didn’t you tell me
you were coming home? I would have met you at the airport.”

“I couldn’t… I didn’t… Shane, I can’t tell you on the
phone.”

“You’re scaring me.”

“I know and I’m fine, really. I’m sorry but I want to have
this conversation in person. I want you to hold me. I need to hold you and see
your face. I should have waited but I meant it when I said I loved you.”

“I love you, Alyssa. God…”

“Stop. Please? No more until you’re here. Hang up and drive
safely. I’ll be here and now that you’re on the way, I’m okay. There’s
something I want you to see so I need to print some photos while I wait.”

“Okay but call if you want to talk. I’ll be there in no
time,” he paused. “Alyssa, I’m glad you’re home, no matter what else you have
to tell me.”

“Me too, Shane. Bye.”

* * * * *

Shane let himself into Alyssa’s studio, not knowing what to
expect. “Alyssa?” he called, letting her know he was there.

“In here,” she answered from the back.

He walked in and saw her curled onto the couch she kept for
when she was too involved in a project to bother going to her apartment to
sleep. There were tears on her cheeks and she was holding a stack of photos.
When he sat next to her and opened his arms, she let them fall around her as
she crawled onto his lap.

Shane held her tightly, hating that he didn’t know the
reason behind her tears. “Sh, Lyss, I’m here now. Whatever it is, I’ll help.”

Finally, he heard her start to laugh through her tears. “I
know what you meant now. That night in the hospital, when I used your first
name. You’ve been calling me by mine and it’s really weird.”

“Yeah. You scared me when you called this morning.”

“I didn’t mean to. I just wanted to see you. That was all I
could think about. And I didn’t want Kiley to come with you.”

“What’s going on?”

“I need to ask you something. That night, when you started
telling me how you felt and what you wanted, was it because you realized that
you might not have unlimited time to make it happen?”

“I guess so. I don’t think I really thought that far at the
time but I knew I had to tell you. I figured you would attribute it to the
drugs they gave me for my leg and you wouldn’t go ballistic on me. Then, I
hoped if I said it often enough on the phone, you might not object to me saying
it in person once you came home.”

“I finally get that. I was coming home yesterday morning to
surprise you. I wanted to tell you that I wanted to be with you but I wasn’t
sure how to say it. I wasn’t sure if I’d really be able to say it because the
thought of actually making a commitment scared me more than I knew how to deal
with.”

“Lyss…”

“Wait, I need to show you this.” She slipped off his lap and
collected up the pictures from the floor. After she had them arranged, she
settled back next to him. Before she started she looked into his eyes and
smiled. “Shane,” she sighed, caressing his face. “I love you. I don’t know how
to tell you how much I feel for you.”

“You don’t have to explain, Lyss. It’s the way I feel about
you.” He let her guide his head until their lips touched. Soon, he felt her
deepen the kiss, demanding more from him as she scattered her photos again.

“Shane,” she breathed, her voice full of desire. “Please. I
need you. Make me feel alive.” As she spoke, Alyssa tugged frantically at his
clothes.

“Let me help,” Shane brushed aside her hands and quickly
stripped both of them. When she pushed him back and straddled his lap, he let
her take control.

“Shane,” she sobbed as she slid onto his cock, burying it
deep inside her. Not moving, Alyssa kissed him hungrily, keeping her chest
pressed tightly against his. When she finally raised her head she met his eyes.
“Thank you for coming. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d said no. I
missed you so much. Ever since you were shot, I was terrified that we’d never
be like this again.” She started to move on top of him. “I’m sorry to be so
demanding like this. I meant to wait until after we talked and do this right
but I can’t. I need you.”

“I’m all yours, Alyssa. However you want me. Whenever you
want me.” When she continued to hold his gaze, dictating their movements, he
let his hands touch every bit of her that he could. “I missed you too. Thanks for
coming home. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”

“I was,” she admitted as his hand reached between them. When
he stroked her clit, she arched without breaking eye contact. “More,” she
urged, thrusting her hips against him. “Harder.” She felt his other hand
steadying her so he could do as she asked.

Shane gave her what she needed, arching upward to meet her
demanding body. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, holding him tightly,
not dropping his gaze the entire time. She could see his emotions in his eyes.
All that she was feeling, he was too. How foolish she had been, trying to deny
what was between them. How close she had come to losing this incredible man and
all they could have together.

“Shane,” she gasped. “I love you. I’m sorry it took me so
long.”

“Stop it,” he interrupted. “You’re here now. We’re
together.” His hands slid to her sides, just beneath her breasts. “I love you
too, Alyssa Campini. Forever.”

“Ooh,” she moaned when his thumbs covered her nipples. “Yes.
Forever.” She increased the pace until her movements were nearly frenzied. “God
you feel so good. I thought I was making it better in my mind.”

Shane groaned, lowering his hands to her ass, griping it to
help her move. “No, Pix. This is us. This is how we are. How we’ll always be.”

His cock pounding up into her, filling her was overwhelming.
She never wanted it to end yet wanted more than anything for them to share
their passion. She shifted, adjusting the angle so his cock stroked her clit
When Alyssa started to tremble, knowing she was close, she clenched her pussy,
letting him feel how she was pulsing. Soon, Shane was ready to join her.
“Shane,” she pleaded, needing him to find his pleasure with her. Later, as she
slumped against his chest, she whispered, “I don’t ever want to be apart from
you again.”

“Me either, Pix.” Shane held her, waiting for her to collect
herself so she would show him her photos.

Eventually, Alyssa slid away from him, giving them both the
opportunity to get their emotions back under control. When they returned to
their seats, she reached for the photos again. “We were in this town for their
Fourth of July picnic. I was ready to come home a few days before but Murray
was so excited that I decided to wait until after it was over. While I was
walking around, this little girl kind of latched on to me.” She handed him the
pictures of Cherlene at the picnic. “I ended up spending most of the evening
with her and her foster family.”

“She’s adorable.” Shane smiled. “Did you say foster family?”

“Yeah, her parents are dead and there was no one else to
take care of her so she ended up with Sally and Dave.” While Alyssa talked,
telling Shane all about the little girl and the people she stayed with, she
showed him pictures of each of them. “Sally told me that she didn’t usually go
for strangers but she really seemed to like me. Shane, when it was time to say
goodbye, I hated it. I didn’t want to let her go. I was so afraid I’d never see
her again. Like the Kid…”

“Oh no…”

“When Chris picked me up from spending the night in the
hospital with you, we stopped and read the paper on the internet. I know he’s
dead. That’s why I never asked you about him again. He shot you, didn’t he? I
know you would have helped him if you could. It wasn’t your fault. I’m sure you
tried everything.”

“He’s not dead,” Shane finally interrupted her. “I was
waiting until you asked to tell you but I promise, he’s not dead.”

“But the paper said…” She was confused and crying.

Shane wiped her tears with his thumb. “As you read, we were
both shot that night. He was supposed to kill me. He told me and asked me to
get him out of there instead. One of the others found us talking and shot,
intending to get both of us at once. The Kid was in the hospital while you were
there but I didn’t know how he was. Jesse helped me get him away from the
city.” Shane decided to wait and take her to Flynn instead of telling her he
had adopted him.

“So he’s in a witness protection program or something?”
Alyssa looked stunned.

“Yep. He’s fine. I’ve seen him and he looks great.”

“He’s safe!” She was smiling through her tears. “You did it.
I guess you had to let them say he was dead so no one would try to find him.”

“Exactly. You don’t have to worry about him anymore, Pix. He
has a decent life now. Damn! I should have told you.”

“And I should have told you I saw the article and asked
about him. I was afraid you’d feel like you’d let me down so I didn’t bring him
up. I was waiting until we were together so I could hold onto you.”

“And I was waiting until you were here so I could see your
face when I told you he was out. I’m sorry I put you through that.”

“I should have known.” She leaned over and kissed him
gently. “Thank you. I wish he hadn’t been pushed that far before he asked for
help but I’m glad you were there. He could never kill anyone.”

“Remind me to tell you more about how he was helping me
later. But now I want to hear the rest of what you started to say.”

“Okay,” Alyssa agreed, wondering what more there was.
“Around dawn the day after the picnic, a few hours before I was coming home to
you, a tornado hit the town.”

“Lyss!”

“Everyone from the motel made it to the shelter and the
motel wasn’t hit but some of the town was. Since I had met so many people the
day before, I couldn’t just leave. All the time I sat in the shelter and walked
around the area that was hit, I kept thinking about you. I kept going back to
the close calls that served to slap me in the face and made me admit that I
wanted what you did. I knew that as soon as I got here I had to tell you I
loved you and wanted to marry you. I knew I was ready for that house near
Kiley’s that you kept insisting you’d find for us. Did you? Find it I mean?”

“Yes. I’m already moved. I only rented it for three months
though, with an option to buy, in case you don’t like it. I’ll go anywhere you
want, Pix.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect. You’ll be there and that’s all I
need.” She kissed him again before she handed him a picture of the disfigured
doll.

Shane looked at it closely. “Is this?” he asked as he
searched her face, filled with dread at her answer.

“Yes.” She pointed to the hand that was mostly hidden by the
doll. “When I picked it up, I saw this.” Shane shifted her so she was on his
lap again, in order to hold her while she spoke. “I think I screamed because
some guys came and started pulling stuff away so they could get her out.”