The Guilty Innocent (41 page)

“I'm not!” I exclaimed as I blushed even more. Darian laughed outright and then he kissed my forehead before releasing me. He walked toward Xavier who still stood in the doorway.

Both men looked at me. “Goodnight, Natasha,” they said in unison.

“We are next door, call us if you need anything.” Xavier said.

I nodded and they closed the door behind them. I looked around the room again, it felt kind of uncomfortable to be sleeping in a completely strange environment, this time there was no one else in the room with me, though I felt some comfort in knowing Darian and Xavier were right next door...but I'm guessing they might not want to be disturbed. I chuckled to myself as I walked to the window and opened the thick velvet drapes. The land surrounding the mansion was beautiful. I marveled at the landscaping, there was a pond not too far from the mansion. I wondered if there were fish in the pond, probably were-knowing Darian. I closed the window and walked towards the bed. Darian was right, I was exhausted. Both my mind and body felt drained, I kicked off my shoes, took off my jeans and leaving my shirt on, I climbed under the soft blankets. It wasn't long before I drifted off to sleep. I did not dream of death or chaos, everything was peaceful.

Chapter Ten

Requiem for Annette

The police finally released Annette's body to her family four days after Darian was proven innocent. Her funeral was scheduled for the evening, which was a good thing because most of her coworkers and friends were night breeds, so if anyone wanted to come, the opportunity was open. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do was to look through Annette's things and pack them away. I was relieved and grateful that Elise, Darian and Xavier had helped me do it. I did not think I would have been able to do it on my own. Her room was completely empty now. I walked around the apartment and began to remember all of the happy times we spent together. I will always hold them dear to my heart. Annette was the first person I've ever met that was honest, fair and accepted me for who I was, that was how she was with anyone she ever met. I will miss her greatly.

Her funeral services were to take place at 7pm tonight. I had the day off of work to shop for some flowers and an outfit to wear. I always hated going to funerals, even if I did not know the person who had died, I always felt other people's grief I brought myself a black two piece skirt suit. I took a shower and began to dress. Once I was completely dressed, I looked at myself in the mirror, black from head to toe. In Japan, they wear white to funerals, at least that is what I've heard, I could be wrong, though it makes sense to me to wear colors that weren't so grim. I remembered what Xavier had said about Annette being an angel. I smiled at the thought.
I
suppose she was and she might very well be watching over everyone she loved. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the room, reaching for my long black trench coat. Before I closed my apartment door, I remembered I forgot something I wanted to give to Annette.
I
ran back in to retrieve the duplicate of the photo of Annette and myself on my birthday. I put the framed photo inside of my purse and left.

The drive over was uneventful, I pulled into the parking lot of the church and saw the black limo parked in front. I watched as Annette's mother and father climbed out of the limousine and walked into the church. I myself walked towards the church but stood outside of it. I held the picture of Annette and me in my hands, clutching it to my chest. Tears began to flow down my cheeks as I forced myself to accept the fact that she was gone. I looked up towards the church and took a step forward.

“You are not going in alone, are you?” asked a familiar, deep, sexy voice from behind.

I turned around and saw Elise, and possibly her entire Pride, Warren, Matthew and Adrian as well as Darian, Xavier and what I believe was his complete coven. My mouth dropped open, I could not believe that they would come to the funeral. Seeing all of them standing there was too overwhelming and the tears flowed freely from my eyes. Darian and Xavier walked over to me and each gave me a hug. Elise came around and hugged me after they had released me.

“We are here for you, Natasha.” Elise said as she kissed me lightly on my forehead.

My hands were trembling as I looked at them.

“Is this Annette?” Elise asked and gestured towards the picture frame I was holding.

I nodded then held it out to her. She took the frame and looked at it. The others surrounded her and glanced at the photograph as well. Elise smiled and handed the frame back to me.

“She was beautiful, I can tell by the love you show for her that she was a wonderful person. I am deeply sorry for your loss,” Sergio said and then he embraced me lightly.

“Thank you,” I said to everyone as I looked around at all of them standing there dressed in black from head to toe. For a minute
I
thought about the night we infiltrated the mansion. Darian stood on my right and Xavier on my left and both men offered me their arms.

I looked up at them, they were gazing at me lovingly, making me feel warm inside. “Walking into the church won't bother you?” I asked curiously.

“No. Mankind has found the few things that can actually harm us, there is nothing else,” Darian said smoothly.

I smiled at them and placed the frame back inside my purse and looped my arms through theirs and all of us walked into the church. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw how many people were sitting in the pews. There had to be at least two hundred people! Some I recognized were Annette's family members and many of her friends from
Desires Unleashed.
I looked up at Darian, shocked.

He glanced down at me and smiled. “The club is closed for tonight in honor of her memory. Everyone wanted to show their respects.” Darian whispered softly into my ear.

I turned to look at everyone and smiled, Annette was respected and loved; and I decided right then and there, that thought alone would be my most fondest memory of my best friend. I walked towards the coffin and the others followed closely behind me. When I reached the casket, I looked inside and saw my beautiful friend laying there against the white satin as if she were asleep. Her hair had been curled and the soft curls framed her oval shaped face. Her slender fingers were interlocked together as her hands rested on her abdomen. She was dressed in a long lacy soft pink gown. I liked the cheerful pastel color on Annette, it mirrored her personality. I reached out and touched her hands lightly, saying my final farewell. I then reached inside my purse and pulled out the picture and placed it inside the coffin beside her and leaning over, I kissed her lightly on her forehead.

“I love you and I will always remember you,” I whispered. I walked away to sit down in one of the pews. I looked over and saw Darian and Xavier gazing down at Annette. Both men turned in unison and walked towards me. They sat down in the pew beside me on my right and Elise and Sergio stepped past us taking the space on my left. Having them there gave me added comfort and strength... I did not feel so alone anymore. We listened as Annette's family members and friends stood up to speak about her and how each would remember her.

“You should say something, it will make you feel better.” Darian suggested softly.

I looked at him, my face blushing, but he nudge me and smiled. I nodded and decided to raise my hand when the preacher asked if anyone else had anything to say. Darian and Xavier shifted their bodies to allow me to pass and I walked up to the front of the church, turning to face everyone in the pews. I began to feel a tinge of nervousness and I looked over at my friends, they smiled at me. Xavier nodded and Darian winked. I took a deep breath then began to speak.

“Annette was my best friend, but more than that she was a beautiful and caring person. She was the kind of person that would open her heart and door to anyone who needed help. She was a free and feisty spirit and that only added to her total charm. A dear friend of mine reminded me that God isn't fallible, and that all things happen for a reason. Annette's time on this earth is now done and God has called home this lovely angel to watch over all of us from heaven. Her physical presence will be missed, but she will forever live on in here.” I pressed my right hand over my heart. “Thank you God, for giving me Annette.” I said as the tears flowed from my eyes.

Everyone applauded as I headed back to my seat. Darian and Xavier rose as I slid in past them. Both men sat back down, Darian took my hand into his, squeezing it gently. I looked at him and smiled, he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly, be lore turning to face the preacher who had begun the service.

The service lasted one hour and forty-five minutes. I enjoyed the sermon and the choir sang beautifully. During the gospel number the Choir was singing, I looked over and saw that Elise was crying, her hand covered her mouth. I suppose she is like me and funerals filled her with grief as well. I reached into my purse and handed her a tissue, she thanked me softly. Sergio leaned over, looked at Elise and chuckled. He held her hand and kissed her cheek. After the services were over we all said good-bye to Annette one last time before leaving the church. I felt a calming sense of peace come over me and I smiled. Darian came up beside me, gazing into my eyes.

“Do you have anything that you want to do for tonight?” he asked,
I
nodded.

“Yes,
I
would like to go to the wake at Annette's parents home. After that,
I
just want to go home and relax,” I looked up at both him and Xavier. “Do you want to come with me?” I asked, blushing as I did so. Darian raised his eyebrows and nodded, his boyish grin spreading across his face. Xavier lowered his head as he chuckled quietly, then nodded. “Oh, great! It's settled then.”

I turned around to face Elise, Warren, Adrian and Matthew. I noticed that Adrian was standing very close to Warren, almost possessive in his stance. I wondered why, then I looked at Matthew and guessed that Adrian might have a spark of jealousy towards Matthew due to Warren and Matthew's strong bond. Warren strode over to me and gave me a hug and kissed me on my cheek.

“I'm sorry for your loss, you have my condolences,” he said sweetly as he hugged me.

“Thank you Warren,” I released him and he stepped back, Matthew walked over now and hugged me. I was overwhelmed by the amount of support and concern I was getting, it made me feel complete.

“My condolences.” Matthew whispered, he released me. “Are you going to be alright?”

I nodded and Matthew stepped back. One by one, all of them embraced me, even the few of Elise's Pride that I did not recognize. This was turning out to be a joyous night. It was not the night that we mourned the loss of Annette, it was the night we celebrated her
homegoing.
Elise and her Pride left, Warren, Adrian and Matthew said their farewells and left. Adrian and Warren climbed into Warren's Diamondback truck and Matthew climbed into his sports car. Xavier took my hand to lead me to Darian's car, I stopped when I entered the parking lot.

“I drove my car here,” I said.

“That's not a problem, I'll drive my car and you'll drive yours.” Darian said as he walked towards his car, then he turned and looked at Xavier. “You ride with her, I'll follow.”

Darian disappeared into the car and closed the door. I climbed into the driver's seat, Xavier climbed in beside me. We drove to Annette's parents home. Cars were lined along the street and both Darian and I found it difficult to locate parking spaces, but we did. Darian had to park three blocks down, but he still beat me to Annette's parents home. Must be really nice to have superhuman speed. Xavier held my door open for me as I climbed out of my car.

I rung the doorbell, Annette's cousin, Beverly opened the door. She gave me a sad smile as we hugged lightly before she stepped to the side to allow us entry. Darian and Xavier followed me, giving their condolences as they passed by Annette's family members and friends as did I. We made our way into the kitchen where Annette's mother was laying out the platters of food. I distinctly caught the scent of fried chicken...country fried chicken, that is. A most heavenly scent. I walked around the table and hugged Mrs. Balfour. I felt her pain as she held on tightly to me. Though she had three strapping sons, Annette was her only daughter and I couldn't imagine the pain she was feeling. I was aware that no loving parent ever wanted to have to bury their children. She struggled to keep from crying as she nodded her head as I gave her my most sincere condolences.

“Annette loved you very much, Natasha. She would have wanted you to have this.” Mrs. Balfour said to me as she left the kitchen, heading towards her bedroom.

I looked at Darian and Xavier, they remained quiet as we waited for Mrs. Balfour to return. She came back into the kitchen carrying a red jewelry box, which she handed to me, I opened it. Inside was a beautiful gold locket with intricate carvings of vines and roses. I looked up at Mrs. Balfour, speechless.