THE 18TH FLOOR (12 page)

Alexa came face-to-face with Darius. Her heart skipped a beat and her mouth became a dustbowl.

"Hello, Alexa. You've gotten good at these cat and mouse games, but I knew I'd catch up with you."

Swallowing didn't clear the congealed clog in her throat.

Darius had gotten a haircut and grown a beard, small changes that would make spotting him a tad more difficult. Reddish-purple circles under his eyes and bright red nostrils indicated he was still using. What he was on, she didn't know. The fact he was high or needed a fix made him dangerous.

"Did I frighten you? I'm sorry.” His lips split in a greasy smile.

"What do you want?"

"First of all, I want to apologize for the way things ended between us."

Alexa tried to pull her arm free but failed. “Seems they're starting the same way."

He cocked his head, frowning. “Why are you being such a bitch?"

Breathe, Alexa.
“Let go of my arm. Please."

"I don't want to just yet."

"If you're here to apologize, why are you acting this way?” With a sudden jerk, she freed her arm. Rubbing the sore spot, she glared at him. “You've made your apology, now leave me alone. I never reported you to the police and want to forget I ever met you. Go away."

"Not so fast. You've got yourself a fancy job and fancy pimp. You like sucking black dick or does he only drive you to your next John?"

Anger shot through her. Remembering what he was capable of, Alexa fought to control her temper. “What do you want?"

"I think you could give me a taste of the good life. It's cost me a small fortune to keep driving up here from Mesa to find you."

Her eyes widened with surprise. “You want money?” She covered her mouth with her hand, trying not to laugh at his audacity. “You've wasted your time and your money. I haven't got any. I'm so far in debt from grad school I won't be able to afford a pot to piss in for years."

"I've seen the fancy building you work in. You're a rocket scientist."

Alexa itched to correct the moron standing in front of her. Instead she bit her tongue and let him ramble.

He pointed to her apartment building. “This place aint no dive either. And that dude you hang around with has all the signs of rolling-in-dough."

"I don't have a lot of money. My rent and student loans take up most of what I make."

He wretched her arm again. “I don't believe you and I don't care. Get that black bastard to give you an advance. Never could call you a frosty cunt, if I remember correctly."

The vile remark turned her stomach. She glanced at her building, wondering if anyone was around to see this confrontation.

"Sebastian won't give me money, especially with no good reason."

"Sebastian.” Darius sneered. “He's even got a name like a rich pimp. I don't care what you tell that motherfucker. I want twenty grand."

She blanched. “Sebastian and I don't have that kind of a relationship. We've only been dating—"

He grabbed her arms with both hands, shaking her hard.

Her purse slipped from her grasp and landed on the asphalt, spilling the contents around her feet. In the mix of actions and reactions, her phone rang. Alexa glanced down at it.

Darius picked up the ringing cell. He showed her the phone with Sebi's image on it. “It's him. Lover boy."

"He's going to worry. I should have been back already."

His lips curled into a sneer. “Gonna be late for your next trick?"

She raised her hand to slap him.

He grabbed her wrist, applying cruel pressure. Nostrils flaring, he got right in Alexa's face. His breath reeked of coffee. “Tell him you'll be right home."

The idea he was letting her go seemed ludicrous. “What do you mean?"

"You've got until tonight to get the cash. Don't disappoint me. I know how to make a skank like you wish you hadn't."

"It's Saturday. Where—?"

He raised his hand. Alexa saw the blow coming and twisted. The slap glanced off her cheek instead of hitting her solid.

"Hey you!” From the balcony behind them, a man leaned on the railing and shouted. “Get your hands off her before I call the police!"

"Tonight. The grocery store parking lot. Eight-thirty and don't bring that asshat you pimp for.” Darius ran to his car and drove off.

"You okay, miss?” the man called. “Should I call the cops?"

Alexa hollered back to the man who'd saved her from a more violent outcome. “I'll take care of it.” She picked up her phone and pressed
redial
. Her hand shook as though she had a raging fever.

"Alexa? Are you okay?"

"No, I'm at ... at my building ... in back ... Darius..."

"He's there?” Alarm filled his voice.

"Gone now.” She whimpered as the drama morphed into shock. “I'm sorry. I should have come home. I shouldn't have...” She broke into sobs.

"I'm on my way. Go inside the building and wait for me. We'll figure out what to do when I get there."

"Okay.” Tears welled in her eyes. “I'm really sorry.” Alexa scooped up the contents of her purse while listening to him talk.

"Go inside and don't worry. We'll get this creep off your back one way or another."

"I'm going. What a horrible way to end a wonderful morning."

"I know. We'll get him taken care of. Are you inside yet?"

"I'm pulling open the door."

"Good. And Alexa?"

"Yes?"

"I love you. Please don't ever scare me this way again."

"I won't. I promise. And I love you, too."

The man who'd hollered from the balcony joined Alexa in the building foyer. “You okay? You know that guy? What a jerk. You need to call the cops on his ass."

Alexa gave him a grateful smile. “We're taking care of him, believe me.” She sunk to the stairs and waited for Sebastian to arrive.

Sebastian's emotions swayed between furious and scared shitless. He tore out of the marina well above posted speeds and pointed his Mustang toward Alexa's apartment. Tires squealing, he took every corner fast and wide. Good thing the good citizens of Parsons seemed to enjoy sleeping past 7:00 a.m., and the cops were nowhere in sight.

He clipped the corner on Kittery Parkway and almost hit a parked car. “Fuck!” He veered right and jolted back into his lane.

A black sedan approached. His eyes narrowed as he squinted at the plate. The color matched the car Darius had been driving.

In a split second, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Accelerating, he stayed in his own lane, intending to sideswipe Darius’ car and force him to pull over. Apparently Darius had the same idea and Sebi found himself on the defensive. He swerved to avoid being hit in his door. With a thunderous
pop
, Darius’ car nailed him square in the rear quarter panel and Sebi's car spun to the right. Sebi yanked the wheel hard, turning the car around to give chase.

Darius’ car had sustained significant front end damage, including a flat tire.

Sebastian smiled. His prey was wounded. Sebi floored it and came up alongside Darius. If there was a facial expression for shitting his pants, Darius wore it. Sebi turned his car into the side of Darius'. Sounds of metal and fiberglass body parts getting ripped up filled his car. One last forty-five degree yank on the steering wheel made Sebi's car lunge against his.

Darius’ battered car careened off the street, and over the curb. Pieces of splintered wood flew into the air when the sedan planted itself in the fence.

Not giving up, Darius put the vehicle in reverse to back out of his predicament. Sebastian threw his car into park and shoved the door open. The engine revved and wheels spun to no avail. Dirt and grass flew, but the car remained ensconced in the fence and soon, Sebastian hoped, the driver would be behind bars.

High on adrenaline, Sebastian ran to the car and pulled on the driver's door handle. “Get out, asshole."

His face contorted in anger, Darius shouted through the locked door. “Fuck you."

Sebastian slammed his fist against the window. “Suit yourself. You're not going anywhere fast.” He took out his phone and dialed 911. When the dispatcher answered, Sebastian gave him their location and brief information. “It's over, you worthless piece of shit. You're not going to bother Alexa or anyone else ever again."

"That's what you think."

The door burst open, catching Sebi off guard. Stumbling backward, he tripped over a piece of fencing and fell.

Darius’ maniacal laughter carried on the breeze when he sprinted past.

Anger rushed through Sebi like an accelerant on a match. He rolled to his side and bolted after Darius, determined not to let him get away. He heard sirens and the sound of Darius’ tennis shoes slapping on the sidewalk. Sebastian closed the distance between them until he could hear Darius panting for breath.

Darius looked back, revealing the frightened, crazed look in his eyes.

Sebastian dove at him, toppling him to the sidewalk. They rolled and Sebi's head smacked against the concrete, sending a shot of pain through his skull.

"You motherfucker. When I get through with you...” Sebi wound up and smashed his fist against Darius’ jaw.

Blood spurted from his mouth, along with a grunt of pain.

From the low angle, the punch wasn't enough to knock Darius out. Sebi grabbed Darius’ hand and twisted his wrist. The move was enough to give Sebi control.

The squad cars arrived as Sebastian put his knee into Darius’ lower back and twisted his arm behind him.

Darius howled in pain. “You fucking son of a bitch. Let me go. I didn't do anything to you. You black bastard. Get your greasy hands off me. Cocksucker, I'll kill you for this!"

The sounds of people running distracted Sebi. He glanced up.

Two officers ran up, hands on their holstered weapons. “We'll take it from here.” The officer reached in his back pocket for restraints.

While the officer secured Darius with flex cuffs, the second one questioned Sebastian.

Out of breath, Sebi could barely get through his story. “My girlfriend will confirm everything I've told you about this sick-o."

"We'll need a statement from her."

"We'll be more than happy to provide one and get him out of our lives for good."

After he spoke with the officers a little more, Sebi called Alexa to come and get him. To say she was freaked out was an understatement.

"Please don't get in an accident driving over here. One of our cars needs to survive the day."

"Is it totaled?"

"I'm sure it is, but that's fine with me. At least that idiot will have to answer for his behavior. We'll need to go to the police station and give your statement. I'll answer all the rest of your questions on the way there."

Sebastian disconnected the call and sat cross-legged on the ground waiting for Alexa. What a hell of a way to start the day. He ran his fingers over his bald scalp and plucked a mat of mud-caked grass from his skin. He pitched it onto the lawn, angry any of this had to happen.

One of the officers approached, handing him his business card. “Come by the station as soon as you can. We'll process Mr. Stoddard. The EMT is almost finished with him. Do you want them to check you out, too?"

"I think I'm okay. Banged up a little. Nothing serious."

"Sebi!” Alexa slammed her car door and raced down the sidewalk.

He stood, already feeling a few aches and pains for his high-speed, high-adrenaline adventure. His head hurt where he'd smacked it on the sidewalk. Maybe he'd talk to the EMTs before they left, just to be sure he didn't have a concussion.

He smiled at Alexa, hoping to ease the worry and guilt she'd be feeling.

She flew into his arms and held him tight.

"Are you okay?” She buried her face against his shoulder.

"I'm fine. Nothing a hot shower and some aspirin won't take care of.” He pulled away from her embrace. “Darius is in custody and we can press charges."

"I'm so sorry."

"Shh. Did he hurt you before?"

Tears still rimmed her eyes. “Just my arms. He has such strong hands.” She rubbed her upper arm with a shaky hand. “I'll probably have some wonderful bruises tomorrow."

"We'll make sure the police get pictures. He's lucky the cops showed up when they did or I have rearranged his face completely."

"He doesn't deserve any better."

"Did he say why he'd come looking for you?"

She gave a humorless laugh. “Money. He thought he could get twenty thousand dollars. I told him I didn't have that kind of cash and he wanted me to get it from you. He threatened to tell Greggerson I used drugs if I didn't do what he said."

"But you don't and haven't, have you?"

"No, but the insinuation could cause all kinds of problems and who the heck needs their past dredged up at work?"

He understood her anxiety. When he'd broken up with Evanelique, things had gotten nasty. He'd had to put up with several weeks of onerous conversations and awkward meetings with her until he'd landed a new assignment.

"Let's get cleaned up, give your statement, and then go back to the boat for the weekend. We can relax and plan our fall vacation."

Her face brightened. “October can't come too soon."

"One more thing."

Shrugging, she asked, “What?"

"Move in with me. This place has bad memories and I don't want you to come back here.” His voice fogged with emotion. “I don't want to live alone, without you, I mean."

Her eyes searched his. “You mean it?"

He nodded. “We'll get your stuff and you can move in permanently."

"My lease ... I've got six months or so on it."

"Screw it. I'll help you with the payments if you want. Unless you don't want to do this."

"It's pretty sudden."

He let out a pent-up breath. “I know. Look, think about it. If you decide you're not ready to do move in, I'd feel better if you found a different place."

"I like living with you.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “And I love you."

He nibbled her lips. “Is that a yes?"

She kissed him softly. “That's a thank you for rescuing me.” She kissed him again. “That one's for not being furious with me."

His lips were inches from hers. “I didn't say I wasn't furious."