Open Wounds (24 page)

He sent out a yelp, distracted. Kellie swung around and sprayed her attacker with capsicum spray. His hands moved from his knee to his eyes as they burned and he screamed, disorientated. He stepped back, knocking into a stack. Kellie glanced around. She hadn’t completely incapacitated him just yet and would need something more than capsicum spray and her stilettos. She caught sight of a wrench resting beside a can of creamed corn on a shelf. Obviously someone had been fixing the stack but had been too lazy or distracted to return the wrench to the red toolbox that rested at the base of the same stack.

Kellie snatched up the wrench and before the man could move another inch she’d smacked him hard over the head with the stainless steel tool. The man, who she now recognised as Coleani’s bodyguard, Aaron Huber, fell to the floor in an unconscious heap.

She rested her hand over her pounding heart and stepped back, her heels clicking loudly against the floor. She removed her shoes, tucking them beside the toolbox before slipping into the next stack, then the next, as she continued further into the room. She made it around two stacks before she tripped over a large prone figure lying outstretched on the floor. Her fists clenched as she squeezed her eyes closed and pressed her lips together all at once in an effort not to scream.

Darryl?

Pain so acute cut through her as she dropped to her knees beside the body and rolled it over. Relief washed over her as she recognised the man as being another one of Coleani’s bodyguards.

A shaky breath escaped her lips. She couldn’t wait until this night was over. Kellie’s chin jerked up when she saw movement in her peripheral vision. Her heart thumped as Darryl moved around the end of the stack opposite her, his finger poised over the trigger.

She watched, horrified, as yet another of Coleani’s bodyguards appeared behind him. Kellie couldn’t stop the shout of warning that tore from her mouth any more than she could change the situation. Darryl swung around and had discharged his weapon before Kellie could finish her warning. She’d barely gotten her breath back when another gunshot rang out, the echo ringing painfully in her ears.

Everything in that moment slowed to a standstill as Darryl fell.

She screamed his name, the sound wrenched from her throat, the voice that filled the room nothing like her own, so full of anguish that it was palpable before the world became deathly silent.

She covered her mouth with her hand as tears blurred her vision and rolled down her cheeks. Her body shook violently as she watched the man she loved die, powerless to stop what was already in motion.

Her heart felt as if it had been torn from her chest.

She stopped breathing.

Her lungs burned with the need for oxygen.

She didn’t care. Couldn’t.

Nothing hurt more than knowing she had failed Darryl in every way possible.

Chapter 35

Amelia stepped out into the open. She scanned the immediate area as she moved toward her partner. She crouched down beside him and without looking at him, felt for a pulse as blood pooled beneath him. She allowed herself a moment of relief when she felt a faint throb beneath her fingertips. The bullet had pierced through his vest.

Her partner was damned lucky. But only if she got him immediate medical assistance.

A sob nearby had her turning in Kellie’s direction. She brought her finger up to her mouth, signalling her to be quiet. Her teary friend nodded and covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her sobs.

From her position on the floor she saw the small shadow streak under a stack. She lowered herself closer to floor and caught sight of someone moving toward her. She twisted the gun on an angle to get it closer to the floor. With some satisfaction she lined up her barrel with the man’s shoes and squeezed the trigger, the
pop
shaking the nearest stack.

A cry of pain filled the room as Amelia leapt to her feet in a single motion. She raised her arm higher and set off shot after shot through the stack, each bullet finding her target, some through tins of olives, the brine dripping onto the floor.

Dick Coleani’s body fell hard and blood stained the concrete beneath him. She didn’t spare him another thought and turned back to Darryl. She didn’t sense the malice in the air until it was too late.

The bullet hit her hard, biting into her skin and sending her rocketing to the floor with force. She blacked out for a moment and when she came to, she was staring into Kellie’s tearful face.

The fear in her eyes told her how much Kellie loved her. She’d made so many mistakes in her life but her biggest regret was allowing her to walk away. She couldn’t believe she’d held onto her hate for so long while her friend had almost died. Now their positions were reversed and she was slipping away.

“Stay with me,” Kellie whispered desperately, and Amelia could feel her shaking as she took her hand and squeezed hard.

The pain consumed her. She tried to speak, her voice not working. Her mouth opened and closed and nothing but air came out. She tried again, using the last of her energy to warn her friend. She had seen the man who had shot her, knew that Kellie’s only chance was to get the hell out of there.

She gripped her wrist, causing her blue eyes to widen.

“Run,” she said, before the darkness took over.

Chapter 36

Wayne Burton slipped out from the cover of the stacks. Satisfaction filled him as he saw the bitch cop go down. He stepped forward, stopping a few feet from Kellie. He stared at the golden tresses of her hair, which hung over her shoulders in a wavy mass.

“Hello, Kellie.”

Her chin jerked up and he smiled. He inhaled deeply, his nasal cavities picking up the scent of blood, fear, and the flowery smell he always associated with her. It had been twelve years, but he still remembered.

Her moist blue eyes condemned him. “You bastard,” she spat.

His smile grew wider, enjoying her rage. Her lip quivered and he could see the force she was using not to cry openly in front of him. Her hand blurred in his vision and something sailed toward his face. Using his arm, he blocked the empty black canister of capsicum spray from hitting his face.

She surprised him.

He’d not been expecting her to have so much fire. It reminded him so much of the younger Kellie, the girl he’d loved. He had watched her for months, not that she ever noticed.

God, how he loved to watch her. Her young athletic body moved so enticingly. He longed to touch her smooth skin, to glide his hand over those creamy mounds, ripe with womanhood. She was a woman now, so much more than she’d been as a teenager, and he longed to experience her. He was already hard as he looked over at her like a starving man seeing a roast leg of lamb.

“Why?” she asked him.

“Because I wanted you. Still do. Coleani’s order only made something I didn’t think I could have accessible.” He took a step toward her, his gun in his hand. He waved it in the air and her gaze followed it. “I will have you again before the night is out. I promise you that. Once, you didn’t know I existed…but you’ve thought about me constantly over the years, haven’t you? I like knowing I’m with you always.”

Her eyes flashed with hatred and her face distorted into disgust. “You’re nothing to me. I used to think you were something to fear, the bogeyman in the closet, but you’re not. You’re pathetic. I won’t remember you, not after today.”

Anger ate at him. Once more he was invisible to her. His lip curled with distaste. He aimed his weapon at her, wanting her to feel afraid. To fear him.

Kellie whimpered, tears rolling down her cheek. She closed her eyes as if she welcomed death, shutting him out. Her hand still held Amelia’s as if she provided her friend life just by touching her.

“Look at me,” he screamed. “Open your eyes and look at me. I want to watch the life drain from your eyes.”

“Back-up is on the way. If you’re going to kill me, you’d better get on with it. You don’t have a lot of time.”

The bite was back. She was still afraid of him, he could sense that, but that didn’t stop her from going down without a fight. He liked that about her. There was nothing worse than begging and whining. But
his
Kellie would never beg for her life. No…she was taunting him, daring him to kill her.

Wayne flicked the safety off. The sound had Kellie’s eyes widening. Her body froze, her movements small as she watched him carefully. “Don’t push me, Kellie.”

“Oh, get on with it already. You’re boring me.”

His lips thinned. He didn’t like being challenged. He squeezed the trigger, the bullet whizzing past her face to lodge in the wall behind her. He’d purposely let it go wild and delighted in the small jump her body instinctively made that even the coolness she was trying to project couldn’t hide.

His finger grazed seductively over the trigger and he lovingly stroked it. By the end of the night, Kellie would truly fear him. He would take the fierce woman before him and break her and once he got that acknowledgement from her, he’d kill her.

Suddenly a sharp pain bit into his skin, followed by another one and then another. He felt weak as a chill descended on his body, creeping up from his toes.

Wayne saw his end as if in slow motion. It wasn’t a movie of his life that passed through his mind, a collection of regrets and achievements. It was only the past few minutes that he reviewed, trying to pinpoint where he went wrong, how he’d miscalculated.

Kellie appeared so beaten. He should have known better. She had raised her hand so fast, he hadn’t seen it coming. One moment she had been telling him to end her and in the next she had a gun in her hand and she was emptying the magazine into him.

He fell to his knees, his legs no longer able to hold his weight. His vision blurred and he knew he would soon die. He called himself an idiot for underestimating her. He should have known from the past that Kellie was a fighter.

She had beat him.

The last thing he heard was a female voice telling him to go to hell.

***

Kellie’s hand shook from the heaviness of Amelia’s gun. She would’ve dropped her arm, but something drove her and it took all her strength to keep the Glock straight and not allow it to push back with the force of each bullet exiting the chamber. Soon the gun clicked over, indicating it was empty but she continued on listening to each click as she watched Wayne, his face frozen in surprise, drop to his knees before his face hit the floor.

She startled at a noise behind her and swung her head and the empty gun towards the sound as the overhead fluorescent lights blinked on. Nick held up his left hand in a surrender pose.

“It’s me, Kel. It’s Nick,” he soothed.

She wondered what he saw. She could only imagine the expression on her face. Wild and feral were the words that came to mind. She had just killed a man and she didn’t feel a thing.

“It’s all right now,” he said.

He watched her warily, determining whether she had recognised him enough not to become a danger to him. Kellie dropped her hand along with Amelia’s gun and let out a deep relieved breath as she returned her attention to her bleeding friend.

She watched from under her lashes as Nick moved carefully to Wayne’s body, the barrel of his gun aimed at the figure. As he neared, he kicked the man’s gun away, the metal sliding noisily across the concrete floor. He glanced down at the blood pooling around the body then looked back at her in surprise.

“Jesus, Kel, I didn’t think you had it in you.”

She hadn’t thought so, either. She had no idea where her courage had come from. She’d been terrified. She’d been frozen since the moment he’d revealed himself. She’d barely heard him in the end. It was like she’d been looking into a swirling tunnel and with barely conscious thought, her reaction automatic, she’d picked up Mia’s gun and a force had taken over. Without her usual inhibitions, she’d squeezed the trigger.

Her hands still shook. Sobs welled up inside her and her delicate shoulders shook violently as she began to cry. Somewhere inside her a dam broke and years of bottled up emotions, the fear she felt, the hatred she held for Wayne Burton was released…and she let go.

Epilogue

Darryl shifted on the hospital bed. His whole body ached. He’d been told how lucky he was that none of the bullets had hit an artery or organ. The loss of blood had made him weak and it hurt to breathe, but it was a small price to pay to be alive.

Dick Coleani was dead and so was his first lieutenant, Wayne Burton. Darryl had heard from Dean that the LAC seized all assets belonging to Coleani in an effort to stop his rivals from taking over his business. They would be working overtime to make sure they hadn’t just cut the head off the snake, only for another to grow back in its place. A taskforce was already underway, and this would be a major coup for Harbour Bay. Particularly those who resided in Coleani’s neighbourhood who were now free from his control.

Matt Murphy had come home from his vacation and had visited, bringing along Hallie, who had handed him a bouquet and a ‘get-well’ balloon. An intelligent girl, she aced all her classes and took on extra work most kids her age struggled with. Matt had kept him occupied regaling him with stories of their vacation, mainly his attempt at fishing and how they had ended up eating Hallie’s catch since neither Natalie nor he could get a fish to bite. He also confirmed that Natalie was twelve weeks pregnant and had practically burst with pride when he uttered the words.

Darryl had congratulated him and couldn’t help the ping of jealously he got at knowing Matt was so happy. It brought him back to his own relationship issues with Kellie
—
if he could call it a relationship. He knew he wanted her. But he had no idea what the hell was going through her mind.

The knock at the door brought Darryl’s attention to the person standing in the doorway. He smiled when he saw her.

His dilemma. The love of his life.

His gaze caressed her. Dressed in casual wear, jeans and pale blue t-shirt, she appeared relaxed. Good. The last thing he wanted was for Burton’s death to weigh on her conscience. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves, softly framing her face and lilac, painted toenails peeked through her silver sandals. His heart did a happy dance.

She stepped forward into the room, watching his face closely.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

She smiled at him and his body warmed. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? After all, you’re the one who was shot.”

Kellie fluffed the extra pillow sitting on the nearby chair. She put her hand behind his back and gently pushed him forward, adding the pillow to the other propping him up. He could certainly get used to being coddled.

“The doctors said I should be fine. I’m barely in need of a Band-Aid. I was more worried about you.”

Kellie smoothed his hair back from his forehead. He stared into her eyes, studying the blue depths. She let out a deep breath and played with the edge of the hospital blanket.

“I’m fine, Darryl, thank you. It’s really amazing what the mind and body can do given the chance. I’ve never been more terrified in my life. But it’s all over now. At least, part of it is. I have to see a psychologist before I can return to work.”

Darryl nodded. It was standard procedure.

“I know just the one if you’re looking. Her name is Natalie Murphy. She’s good and she’ll understand your trauma. Trust me on that.”

“Okay, I’ll see Doctor Murphy. And I’ll see you when you get out, Detective Hill.”

His gaze locked on hers. “I’m not going anywhere. The case is over and I meant what I said. When I’m free of this damn hospital, I’m coming after you and I’m not letting you go.”

He had to admit, his tone was slightly threatening. But he had to let her know she wouldn’t be able to be rid of him. He had waited a good thirty-one years to feel the way he did now and he wasn’t about to let that reason walk away from him without a fight.

Kellie nodded, the threat in his voice heard and accepted. She placed her hand in his and squeezed as she leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips. As she pulled away from him, he put his hand on her neck, holding her in place as he kissed her again, this time deeper. When the kiss ended, her eyes were glazed with desire and she almost stumbled as she stepped away from him. He grinned at her reaction.

“I love you, Kellie.”

He swallowed hard at the lump in his throat. He couldn’t imagine a life without her. If she walked away from him now, he wasn’t sure how he’d find the strength to keep going. Tears glittered and brightened her eyes. His stomach clenched painfully. He’d thought he’d known true fear but nothing compared to this moment.

“I love you too,” she said finally. She swiped at a tear that rolled down her cheek. “How could I not, Darryl? You are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m not even sure I can describe how you make me feel.”

He let out a relieved breath and tugged her back to him. She placed the palm of her hand on his chest.

“When I said I’d never been so terrified,” Kellie continued, “I didn’t just mean facing Wayne. When you went down and I thought you died, it was the worst moment of my life. I realised all my fears were nothing compared to living without you. Please don’t ever let me push you away.”

“Never going to happen.”

He drew her down for another all-consuming kiss. “Damn, I wish we were alone. The things I’d do to you if I wasn’t in a hospital bed.”

Her eyes darkened with desire then cleared as her expression turned sad. “What does it say about me that all my friends are in the hospital?”

“Damned lucky.”

Another tear escaped her eye and she dashed it away as she nodded.

The door to his room opened as Rose slipped inside, stethoscope dangling from her neck. She stopped when she saw Kellie and smiled.

“I hear you’ve had a rough couple of days. How you holding up?” she asked Kellie.

“I’m fine. Thank you. In fact, I have some more visiting to do. I’d better get going and make the rounds.”

He sensed she blamed herself for his and Donovan’s current states. He’d fix that the moment he was free from this antiseptic hellhole. She kissed him lightly on the forehead and stepped back. Their hands slowly separated and he felt bereft at the loss of her touch.

“Take care of my man, Rose.”

Rose smiled more broadly this time. “Will do.”

With that, Kellie turned and walked out the door.

***

Kellie wandered down the hall of the hospital. She had always hated hospitals since she’d woken up in one twelve years ago, her head bound with bandages, her body throbbing as she relived the last few moments of her previous life over and over in her head as she lay helpless in the bed. She had endured the rape exams to be told what she already knew, that she’d been raped. The perpetrator had left no evidence of himself behind and he’d probably used a condom. Thank God for small favours, she’d thought at the time. She wouldn’t have to worry about an STD or pregnancy.

At some point during her reflection she wished she had died. She’d felt humiliated and used. Her virginity gone. It wasn’t much in this day and age, but it was hers and it had been brutally taken from her. It should have been her decision to make when and where she lost it and with whom. She had dreamt about rose petals and champagne and instead had gotten a dark alley and garbage.

The hardest part had been remembering the feel of the gun pressed against her temple, knowing that was the end. That she would die. Feelings she never expected to feel, that she would remember for the rest of her life, boiled inside her. She’d been powerless to do anything and had meekly prepared herself for death. Never again would she give up. Life was precious and no matter what, meant to be lived.

Kellie opened the door to Amelia’s room and walked in. Memories swamped her, only this time, their positions were reversed. Would Amelia treat her with disdain? After all, it was Kellie’s fault she was in the hospital. How could she have let her go? It hadn’t just been her, though. They’d both given up. She placed the bouquet of flowers she was carrying on the table beside the bed.

Amelia looked up from the bed, her face pale. She frowned at the flowers.

“What’s this?”

“Flowers. The usual gift when visiting someone in hospital. How are you doing?”

Kellie poured a glass of water for Amelia and handed it to her. She took a grateful sip before leaning back in her bed.

“Better.”

“I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to lose one of my only friends.”

Amelia smiled. “Relax. I believe Nick would be happy to take my place. In fact, I’ve been watching myself around him. I think he’s actually been trying to knock me off.”

She was obviously feeling better. Not even a bullet wound could bring her down.

“Well, he should know better. No one can replace Amelia Donovan.”

“Damn right. So how’s everything going down at the LAC?”

“You mean is everything falling apart without you?” Kellie asked. “Sorry, I hate to burst your bubble, but everything is fine. The boys are handling it.”

Amelia snorted.

“Anyway, I just wanted to come by and make sure you’re okay. Also I wanted to tell you that I’ve filed my report on the investigation today.”

Amelia gnawed on her lower lip and Kellie could see the apprehension etched into her face. The job was everything to Amelia and what she wrote in her report would affect her entire career.

She smiled warmly. “I’ll be proud to call you boss one day.”

The tension left Amelia and she sank, boneless, back onto the bed. “Thank you.”

Kellie shook her head. “I didn’t do anything. Your record speak for themselves. I only confirmed what they and your colleagues have to say about you.”

Amelia turned her head but not before Kellie saw the glistening of tears in her eyes. Who knew Amelia Donovan had tear ducts? She wanted to tease her friend but knew now was not the time. Not when she was clearly so emotional.

When she composed herself, Amelia asked, “How’s Darryl?”

“Good. He’ll make a good recovery.” They fell into silence. A moment later, Kellie blurted, “I love him.”

Amelia nodded. “I know. He’s damn lucky. You could do better,” she joked.

“You know?” she asked, bewildered. She’d only worked it out when the real possibility Darryl had died filled her with such emotional agony that her whole world shattered.

“Sure. We all felt the heat between you two.”

She blushed. Nick had mentioned something along the same lines.

“You don’t mind?”

Amelia shook her head. “I want you happy.”

Kellie sank into the chair beside the bed. “Well, I am.”

“He and I will have words if that ever changes,” Amelia said seriously.

“Still protecting me, I see.”

“Always.”

“I’m glad we got a second chance.”

Amelia gave her a pointed look. “Me too.”

Kellie leaned back against the chair and placed her feet on the side of Amelia’s hospital bed. She started talking about inconsequential stuff at first
—
shoes she’d seen on sale that she was thinking of getting, who she thought would win the State of Origin later that year
—
just to keep the uncomfortable silence away. Then the conversation turned to personal and suddenly the years melted away and it was like they’d never been separated, their friendship stronger than ever as they shared their histories from the time they’d parted and about Detective Graham who’d been so inspiring and led them both on the path to their calling.

Hours later, their conversation eventually fell upon Coleani.

“With Coleani gone and his business deemed illegal and repossessed, his boys have scattered to the winds. They’ll be back to try to reclaim his territory.”

“That’s just what we need,” Amelia said.

“When the time comes, we’ll stop it. Today, tomorrow, next month…they’re not taking back this city. It’s ours now. It’s a whole new world out there. Hell, maybe I can finally get the closure I need.”

“Well, you know what they say. Open wounds never heal.”

“That’s true. Very true.”

Her own wounds were certainly open and seeping. Maybe now with Burton and Coleani dead, they would close and she would heal. She couldn’t change the past, only accept it and move on. Like Darryl had told her, it made her who she was today…and she kind of liked who she’d become and what she’d accomplished.

She’d come a long way. Now she had Darryl and Amelia and an even brighter future than she could’ve imagined.