Deadly In Stilettos (26 page)

             
When she knew for sure Devin was dead, she made sure she wiped down everything that she had touched, gathered the items from the living room, and walked from the cottage. She got into her car, placing the items in the backseat. She would dissolve of them later, far away from the crime scene. Turning on the ignition to her rental car, Demi left the place she had thought so beautiful never giving it a second glance. Back at her hotel room, she packed her belongings, checked out, got rid of the items, and drove back to the airport. In no time at all she was in the sky flying back to New York. Demi snuggled up in her first-class seat, welcoming the sweet sleep that crept over her.

             
Devin Masters was mentally crossed off her list, and besides Enry Williams and Laurel’s parents, she was only one other person away from finally having the life she always dreamt of. Anya Bankston should have never tried to blackmail her. Now she would be sorry!

Chapter 16

             
THE NIGHTIME air in New York was cool and brisk. A light wind blew, just enough to tousle her natural curls. Demi breathed deeply, taking in the fresh air. She loved the change in weather from summer to fall. Everything that had happened hours ago was washed right out of her mind. As she slid into the backseat of the car she requested, she removed her phone from her bag and dialed Greg’s cell number. When he did not answer, she frowned with worry. He knew she would be back today. Why hadn’t he picked her up from the airport? Something was not right! What was going on? Had anything happened while she was away? Demi hung up as a wave of nausea washed over her. She immediately called Laurel, but again received no answer. She was experiencing déjà vu. The same thing had happened when she was away before, so Demi knew that something definitely was going on. Maybe Tabi would know something.

             
After chatting with Tabitha a few minutes, Demi realized that she didn’t know anything. As soon as she was in her hotel suite, Demi phone Greg again. He still did not answer. She knew for certain now that something was wrong. He always answered his phone, especially when she called. If something happened to him because she’d asked him to protect Laurel, she would never forgive herself. She liked Laurel a lot, but not enough to lose Greg over. Demi knew she had to find Greg, and fast. An eerie feeling sent a chill down her spine, and at that moment, she knew Greg was in danger.

                              
                ~~~

Greg tried to get his arms free, but the rope was too tight. He was hungry, in need of water, and smelled like old fish. It had been almost two days since he’d last seen daylight. It looked as though he would not see it anytime soon. After Demi le
ft for Memphis, he had gone to the Cordwright home to check on Laurel and bring her back to the city. He also hoped to gather more information.

Laurel seemed different somehow since the day with Enry. Her eyes looked melancholy, even lifeless. She refused
to leave at first, and then suddenly changed her mind. But just as they were walking out the door, she turned into a monster. She reminded him of Anya and the way she would just click. One minute they had been walking though the foyer, talking about ways to find out why her parents wanted her dead, and the next, he was hit in the head with something so sharp, it nearly cracked his skull. When he came to, Greg was convinced Laurel was not working alone. She had him somewhere on the grounds of her parents’ estate, he was sure of it. He just didn’t know where. Earlier that day he heard the grounds men tending the lawns and gardens. No one had come close to his location, so he could not depend on any of them to help him get free.

             
For about the hundredth time, his cell phone buzzed in his pocket. He could not get to it because his hands were tied. If only he could get his hands free. Then he would be able to let someone know where to look for him. Demi would think something bad had happened and blame herself, but he would not let her do that. They would be together if it was the last thing he did. No one would keep them apart, certainly not Laurel Cordwright. How could she just play them both like that? Greg wondered if Enry Williams was also in on her little charade. For his sake, he had better hope not, Greg declared.

             
“I see you’re up.” The voice startled him. In the darkness he couldn’t see who had spoken, but he knew who it was. “Demi just called me. We’re meeting for dinner tomorrow evening. Maybe I’ll just tie her up and bring her here to keep you company. What do you think about that? Wouldn’t you like some company, Pig?” She hated cops. Laurel leaned down in front of Greg’s face, kissing his lips and then biting them.

To think, Demi was worried about Lau
rel and wanted to protect her. He wasn’t so sure anymore that her parents were the bad ones. From her actions, Laurel was more crazy and psychotic than anyone he knew, even Anya. She needed protection from herself he gathered. Greg was furious. He lunged at Laurel, but was held back by the rope around his body. She laughed, mocking him.

             
“If you do anything to hurt Demi, I will make sure you suffer!”

             
“Is that a threat, Mr. Detective?”

             
“No Laurel. You can bet your ass that is a promise that I intend to keep!”

             
“Ooo, frightening, I’m truly scared to my wits end.”

             
Laurel knew that Greg wasn’t joking, and a chill slipped down her spine as she realized he meant every word. Why couldn’t someone fight like that for her? She wondered. Suddenly, her plan to keep Demi all to herself did not seem like a good idea. Maybe she should just let Greg go. The voice in her head told her to stop thinking silly thoughts. She couldn’t let him go, not now. He was a cop. She would be thrown in jail for kidnapping an officer of the law. Laurel had to pull herself together, to think about what she should do next. Demi had to believe Greg left and gone back to wherever he was from, so that Laurel could comfort her. If she felt betrayed by Greg, Demi would not try to contact him again, and Laurel would get away with her plan.

             
It saddened her to have to kill Greg, but no one would listen to her when she needed them to. Now it was too late. Her parents were trying to kill her, but she hadn’t told Demi the entire truth about that. Laurel wanted each of them dead just as much as they wanted her dead. If only they would give her the family business without putting up a fight, then she would not have to resort to such evil acts. They would suffer and she would get everything in the end. The fact that their deaths would look like an accident, she would get double the insurance money.

             
Greg saw the big smirk that suddenly appeared on Laurel’s face. What was she up to? The look in her eyes told him Demi was in danger. Laurel Cordwright was dangerously insane and needed to be stopped. As if she’d read his mind, Laurel touched his hands. “Don’t worry about Demi. I promise I will take real good care of her once you’re out of the picture. She will never want to have anything else to do with you once I’m done filling her pretty little head with lies. I cannot wait to taste both sets of her lips. You will never have her!”

             
Greg moved toward Laurel again. He used all of his strength, but failed. If he could have gotten his hands on Laurel, she would be greatly sorry. Pure evil, he thought, watching Laurel walk out of the shed. She returned sometime later with two bottles of water and two sandwiches. She put the items in his lap, rubbed his dick, and then told him she was off to another engagement. She lied and told Greg she was meeting with Demi tomorrow evening when instead she was meeting with her later that evening. He heard her lock the door. Then there was only silence.

             
Judging from the amount of light shining through the tiny window, Greg estimated it was just before seven in the evening. It would be complete darkness soon, so he had to work quickly. With difficulty, he got the cap off one bottle of water and drenched the rope tied around his hands
.
‘Dumb asses shouldn’t have tied my hands together in front of me,
’
Greg quipped. He drank the other bottle. The sandwiches smelled funny, sour, and he did not even bother eating them, although his stomach ached from hunger. Even though he would need every ounce of strength he had, eating spoiled or possibly spoiled food was not the way to go. That would only do more damage than good.

             
When the rope was wet enough, Greg twisted his hands back and forth until the rope loosened, releasing one of his hands. He quickly freed his other hand and then untied his feet. Pulling out his cell phone, he called Demi. It went straight to voicemail. Greg cursed. He had to warn her about Laurel, and something told him that she needed to know immediately. He started across the shed to the door, but stopped when he heard a voice nearby. “She said to keep him alive, but make sure he suffers,” a man said.

             
Greg quickly hid behind the door. He waited as two men walked into the shed and paused, looking around for a light. He jumped out hitting both of them so hard they dropped to the floor, out cold.
‘
All those years of martial arts training finally paid off
,
’ he thought looking down to make sure the big goons were out and not planning a sneak attack. Thank God his mother never let him quit.

             
He cautiously looked out the door at the woods beyond the shed. Greg had been right. He was in the back of the Cordwright estate, only feet away from their swimming pool and guesthouse. How could he have been there the entire time and anyone else not know it, was beyond him. As he left the shed, he was on the lookout for more of Laurel’s obvious thugs. He kept to the trees, heading toward the front gate, but then saw three huge shadows coming straight toward his direction.

             
“Not again,” he groaned. Greg was not a violent man, and he hated fighting. But if fighting would save his life and get him back to Demi, he would kick as much ass as he had to. Greg dropped to the ground waiting. He felt around, trying to find something to use as a weapon. The only thing he found was a small branch. It would have to do. The men got closer, and he launched himself at the first one. The man fell to the ground. Greg used the stick to defeat him, his movements quick and accurate, hitting the man until he was out cold. The next man gave a good fight. He moved swiftly, landing a few solid punches into Greg’s side. Stumbling, Greg regained his footing and went at the man with all he had. Several punches, kicks, and grabs later, his next opponent lay on the ground with his partner. The final man was much bigger. Though muscular and tall himself, Greg was no match for the Hulk, as he instantly dubbed him. He dodged the man’s blows, any of which could cause major bodily harm. The Hulk was quick for his size, but his breathing told Greg he was getting tired, yet still he went foot to foot with him.

             
Still moving fast as he could, Greg did a quick turn, kicking Hulk in the back of the leg. The bone broke and the Hulk fell down hard to his knees. Greg kicked him in the ribs, hearing several break immediately. The Hulk wailed in pain, but kept trying to get back up, no doubt the use of steroids. Greg used his fighter training to hit Hulk over and over, connecting with every pressure point he remembered. He dropped head first to the ground, out cold.

             
Greg did not look back as he ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He found an easy spot to climb the stone wall that surrounded the front of the property and loped toward the main road. The fact that he had not had any food for two days did not slow him down. The love of his life was in danger. Greg was determined to get to her before Laurel did anything to hurt her. He knew Laurel was lying about their meeting being the next day, so he had to hurry. The anger Greg felt toward Laurel was undeniable. He could easily kill her when he saw her, but he wouldn’t He was still a cop. He was supposed to protect and serve, not destroy and kill.