The Thief Redeemer (10 page)

Do I tell her about my vision? Do I make myself more
vulnerable to this girl I am eventually going to end up hurting? I’m supposed
to be making this horrible experience up to her. That’s what I’ve told her, but
I really don’t know what I’m going to do. I can never send her back to her
family, but she doesn’t know this. I promised I would make this up to her, and
I promised that I would never hurt her, but these are both lies. I will be the
one who hurts her most.

“Let’s find a spot to eat,” I say and lead us to a secluded
area. I find us a corner completely shaded, fully enclosed with trees. It opens
out to the pond, and I feel as if we are all alone in the world. Even if people
venture here, they will never spot us. I raise my head to look at Claire, and I
see her face is one of worry, the bruising on her cheek looking worse in the
sunlight. She lays the blanket on the ground, and I open the picnic basket. I
divvy up our food and she looks through the basket after me.

“I think Sally forgot to pack cups,” she says, moving
napkins and plates around.

“It’s fine. We can both drink out of the bottle if that’s
fine with you.” I give her a smirk. “I don’t have cooties.” She gives me one of
these flirty looks and once again, I long to touch her. I really think my heart
has melted a bit at the look she gives me, but I know I must hold it together.

“I thought all car thieves and kidnappers had cooties,” she
smiles, and I actually laugh out loud at her comment.

“You’re right. Most do, but I’m the exception.” I start to
eat my sandwich as we banter back and forth, laughing as the wind whips through
the trees. When we’re done, I lie back on the blanket, putting my hands behind
my head. I look at the trees swaying in the wind and wish for simpler times.

“Tell me what you’re thinking?” Claire asks this as she lies
down beside me. She’s so close, her leg touching my own, and my breath catches.
I give in a small amount to my desires, and with one hand, I reach for hers. We
interlock fingers and the feelings that rush through me are indescribable. I
should be awarded some sort of medal for my restraint.

I opt to tell her the truth. I decide I will tell her my
story. Nobody knows this story except Marcus, and he only knows certain parts.
He knows the bad parts, like me going to jail for thirty days due to a
courtroom disruption. I don’t bring up my past very often, because the pain is
almost too much. But here at this pond and in this moment, I feel I can tell
Claire anything and everything. I trust her, although I know I shouldn’t, but
here in this spot, it’s like my past has become full circle. I feel it’s okay
to share in this moment with Claire. Maybe she will see the same visions I’m
seeing. Maybe she will feel the same love I am feeling.

“I’m thinking about my family,” I start, still looking at
the tops of the trees. I feel her fingers tighten around mine, signaling me to
continue. “This was where my grandparents used to bring us, and I haven’t been
back here since I lost them.” I pause for a minute before I continue. “When we
walked up on the lake, I saw the twins and myself on the boat with Gramps. We
use to fish here almost every Saturday.”

“How did they die?” she asks, her voice calming and
reassuring.

“Bad health. Both of them were in their 60s and they died
within six months of each other. My grandfather went first with a heart attack,
and my grandmother six months later with an aneurism. It was like they weren’t
meant to live apart. I was seventeen and alone. I had practically raised my
brothers during the two years before the deaths because my grandparents
couldn’t handle us. They were good people, my grandparents. They were handed
three young kids and they took us in and cared for us the best way possible.”

There is a pause in the conversation while we listen to the
sounds of the crickets and birds.

“And your parents? How did they die?”

I swallow. Reliving these painful memories should be…well,
painful, but it’s not. Here with Claire, it’s therapeutic. “They died in a car
accident. Killed instantaneously.”

I give a good pause and have no idea from where these
feelings are surfacing. “I still can’t believe they’re gone,” I say quietly. “I
can’t believe this is my life. I can’t believe my brothers have been gone for
ten years and I’m now a stranger to them. If someone had told me when I was
seventeen that this is what I would be doing in ten years, I would have beaten the
shit out of them. If they had told me my fate with my brothers, I would
literally have killed them. And now, here I am, ten years later, all that I
love…lost.”

Her grip around my hand tightens. Neither of us says
anything for a while. “And you last saw your brothers when they were seven?”
Claire asks finally.

“Yes.” We don’t mention her dad or what I did in the
courtroom that day. I guess those two things are better left unsaid. “Tell me
about your family. Your parents aren’t married?”

I turn my head to face her and see a smile. “They are
married now, but they weren’t when I was born. My dad was previously married,
and he and my mother had an affair. His previous wife divorced him, and he
married my mother when I was almost five.” She doesn’t speak for a minute, and
I give her time to collect her thoughts. I can tell she has more to say, but I
don’t want to push her.

“Brandon, I know you don’t believe this, and maybe you never
will, but my father really is a good man.”

My entire body goes rigid, and I freeze. This man is who
took my brothers away from me! How dare she say this? I hate her father. I can
feel the hate for him surging through my bloodstream. I feel myself starting to
pull away. I shouldn’t have brought her here, and I never should have allowed myself
to become close. I release her hand and sit up with bent knees. I start to
clean up our food, signaling my need to leave, when I feel her soft hand on my
arm. It’s instantly calming, and I feel myself falling back under her spell.

“I’m sorry,” she says with her familiar sweet voice. “I
won’t bring him up again.”

I nod my head and feel her behind me. She wraps her hands
around my arms and gives me a hug. I suddenly want to turn around and pin her
to the ground. I want to take her right here on this blanket. The moment is
right and the timing is perfect, but I know I can’t. I don’t deserve her. Right
now, this hug will have to be enough. I grab her fingers and move her entire
body in front of mine. She sits in between my legs and I wrap my arms around her.

We sit like this for hours as I smell her hair and listen to
her laugh. We tell stories of high school and stories of work. She explains to
me the inner workings of law school, and I listen to every detail. I secretly
wish I could have gone to college, and I’m hoping to God that my brothers have
this opportunity.

When the day ends, I look around and realize I feel
different. I have told my story to another human being and wasn’t judged. I
laughed and smiled more than I have in years. I glance over at the beauty that
is Claire and smile again. This is one of the best afternoons I have had since
my grandparents’ death.

WHEN WE ARRIVE back to the
apartment, the sun has set so I’m no longer worried about being seen. I drive
us down the alley and park in the garage. I run to open Claire’s door, and she
gives me one of her dainty smiles.

Being outdoors has been good for her. She seems rejuvenated
and, dare I say, happy? We link hands. I don’t care if anyone sees me and gives
me hell. I feel as if a small part of the heaviness on my shoulders has been
lifted. Claire took it away just by listening to me. I hadn’t realized how much
I needed to go to that pond today. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to go
there with her.

We walk into the apartment to see Tommy, Simon and Carlos
sitting on the sofa, watching the news.

“What’s up, man?” Tommy asks, and I see worry on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, releasing Claire’s hand and walking
to the television. I’ve been carefree all day, but now it’s back to business
mode.

“Someone ratted you out.”

Carlos’s words hang in the air as Tommy takes the remote and
turns up the volume. There on the screen are pictures of Claire and myself. An
announcer explains loudly how I kidnapped Claire. The media have even traced
the reason back to Claire’s father, saying that I held a grudge against him
from an earlier case that had been closed and sealed. They wrap up the segment
with the news that they believe I am responsible for Sarah Hamilton’s
kidnapping as well. There is a $50,000 reward for any leads that help find
Claire or Sarah. I am officially on Atlanta’s most wanted list.

“Shit.” It’s the only word I say as my bubble with Claire
bursts. Reality has returned, and our day at the lake seems to have taken place
ages ago. I rack my brain, trying to think who would have the guts to turn me
in.

“Who you think it is, boss?” Carlos asks, as my mind works
over time. I notice him looking Claire up and down, and I’m instantly bothered.
She’s standing at the sink, watching the television with fear in her eyes. I
want to pull her into my arms and tell her this will be all right, that I’ll
clean this mess up. Once again, I hate myself for allowing the kidnapping. I
glance over at Carlos, and I catch him continuing to eye her. I will definitely
have to address this with him later when Claire’s not around. If he even
touches her, I don’t care how long we’ve been friends, I’ll cut his eyeballs
out. He had better not push me here.

“I don’t know,” I answer, giving him a cold stare.

“I have an idea,” Tommy pipes in, breaking the unspoken
communication between me and Carlos.

“Who?”

“That gang. You told them your name. We took out two of
their men, maybe three, and I’m sure they went straight to the police.”

“We all know gangs don’t work with the police,” I say,
trying to make sense of this situation.

“Yeah, but Claire has a price tag on her head. I’m sure if
they work with the cops, they will get a cut of the money.”

We are stunned into silence, knowing that this is the
connection.

“Shit,” I say again. I run my hand down my face in an
attempt to calm myself. My life is becoming too complicated, and I have a
feeling I’m going to have a heart attack before I’m thirty.

“Find out the gang member’s name,” I say to all of them.
“Find out which gang it is. We need to know our enemies.”

“This never would have happened if you didn’t have some
relationship going on with your prisoner,” Carlos snaps. I know why he’s
frustrated. He depends on this car theft business as much as I do, but I’m
seriously about to lose it. He’s been my friend for the past five years, and
while he’s rough around the edges, I have never felt this sort of hostility
from him.

“You better shut your mouth if you know what’s best for you,
Carlos,” I say, closing myself in on him. I’m trying to control my anger, but
only because I consider him a friend. He senses the threat and stands up to me,
anger flaring from his eyes.

“We never had an issue until you brought these two girls
here! YOU decided to go into the kidnapping business, and now we’re about to
lose it all!” He’s furious, but his anger is only working me up. His words are
becoming louder and his voice harder. “We’re trying to save your ass, and
you’re tapping one of the prisoner’s asses while we do all the work!”

That’s it. Nobody talks about Claire that way, even Carlos.
I lunge towards him as I release my anger full on. I haven’t been this angry
since Richard removed the sacks from the girls’ heads, and I discovered one was
Claire.

I start swinging, and Carlos swings back. He’s just as tough
as I am, but I don’t let up. Things break and crash around us. I receive a few
punches in the face while he takes a few jabs from me. I’m about to give him a
punch to the gut when I feel myself being pulled away.

I turn to see Tommy, his arms wrapped tight around me.
Simon’s thick arms encircle Carlos.

“Don’t you ever say that about her again. You don’t know
shit about her or about me. You hear me?” I scream at Carlos while Tommy
strains to control me.

“Pansy!” Carlos spits the word.

I am about to retaliate verbally when I glance at Claire.
She’s standing in a corner, terrified. Tears stream down her face which is
already horribly marked with blue and purple bruises. I can’t take her tears
anymore.

I shake Tommy off and turn to Carlos. “Find out the name of
the gang and the leader, if he’s still alive.” I spit the order and walk over
to Claire. I put my arms around her and pull her into an embrace. I do this in
front of all the men who look up to me to be tough.

She buries her face into my chest and keeps repeating the
words, “I’m sorry.”

“Baby, please don’t say you’re sorry. I’m the one who
started this. Stop apologizing.” Sally must have walked in during the fight.
She looks at me and winks. I hate to show emotion in front of people, but I’ll
be damned if I’ll just sit there and let Claire cry.

“Sally, is dinner ready?” I ask this is the most manly and
cruel voice I have. I need to show the boys I’m still strong and tough, but I
don’t think Sally buys it. She says yes and starts setting the table. Once I
have Claire calmed down, we take our places. Claire sits with us like she’s
been doing this for years. I idly wonder where Sarah is and what they’ve done
with her. When Claire asks, I tell her she’s in the safe hands of Sally. I hope
I’m right.

We start our dinner and except for the huge mess we left in
the den, it’s as if nothing happened.

WE’RE CLEANING UP dinner and Sally
corners me in the kitchen. “I’m glad to see you happy, kid,” she says with a
twinkle in her eye.

“What do you mean?” I’m playing it off like I’m not
seriously into the blonde sitting in the den.

“You know what I mean, and I’m happy for you. I didn’t think
you’d ever soften up. I didn’t think you’d ever find anyone good enough, but
you have.”

What is she talking about?
Good enough?
“Sally, it’s
the other way around. She’s too good for me, and we’re not together or
anything. I’m pretty sure she just tolerates me. I have kidnapped her, after
all.” I say the last part with a smirk in an effort to lighten up this
conversation. Sally puts her hand on my shoulder and looks me in the face.

“I think she’s the one who will show you your good side. You
have so much potential. You only need someone to steer you in the right
direction. I think she can do that for you…if you allow her.”

I don’t say anything, only keep wiping down the dishes. What
does Sally know about my good side? I thought everyone saw me as tough as
nails, twisted and evil. Now Sally thinks I have “potential?”

I glace over at Claire. She’s sitting on the couch, making
conversation with Marcus. They’re laughing at something. I long for her to be
mine. Sally elbows me in the arm and winks again.

“What?” I ask her with another smirk. She’s caught me
staring at Claire and I’m slightly embarrassed.

“Glad to see you happy. If anyone deserves it, it’s you.”

SHE’S BACK, AND I don’t know how to
handle her. Maggie walks into the apartment like she owns the place. Marcus,
Tommy, Simon and I are sitting around the kitchen table, playing cards when she
breezes in. Claire sits on the sofa, switching between reading her book and
watching television, while Maggie gives her a death stare.

“Whose chick is that?” she asks, nodding her head towards
Claire. She takes her long nails and runs them through her hair. The outfit
she’s wearing is a tight black dress. Normally, I would be all over that, but
tonight, things are different.

No one answers her question at first because Claire really
doesn’t belong to anyone. I know Claire can hear our conversation. She’s
sitting right there. She’s pretending to be all about the sitcom on television,
but I know she hears every word.

“She’s nobody’s chick, Maggie,” I answer as I throw in one
of my cards. I don’t even look at her because I don’t want to see those eyes. I
can never say no, and I’ve never
not
wanted her more than I do right
now. Maggie walks over to me, her heels clicking against the kitchen floor
until I feel her warm body standing next to me. I exhale a deep breath and then
finally glance at her to see what she wants.

“What?” My question is cold, and I really don’t care if I
hurt her feelings. I know nothing will ever happen between Claire and I, but
I’m not giving into Maggie tonight. It’s not happening.

“You know what I want. Quit acting like a jackass and just
give it to me.”

“Not tonight, Maggie.” My voice is low, and I throw in a few
more cards as if she’s not standing right there. She takes her manicured nails
and runs them down my neck.

“You’ve never told me no before…what’s the problem?” She
whispers the words into my ear and I feel the warm draw start to build between
us. She runs her fingers down my neck and onto my shoulders. She sits in my
lap, her tits right in my line of sight, and I start to wonder why I’m holding
out anyway. It’s not like Claire will ever touch me like this. She’s clearly
out of my league.

I feel every eye in the room on me as Maggie leans in for
kiss. Just before her lips hit mine, I come to my senses and put both hands on
her shoulders. I drop my cards as I push her away.

“I said not tonight, Maggie. Go find someone else to screw.”

She’s taken aback by my comment, probably because I have
never told her no before. She doesn’t speak for a moment. I can’t look at her
face. I feel Claire’s blue eyes staring at me. I see her in my peripheral
vision and she’s documenting every action I make. “I said no,” I repeat,
feeling stupid in front of everyone. Who says no to easy sex?

But they don’t know how bad I hate myself when the deed is
finished. I’ve never even had sex with Claire, and I still feel so good after I
spend time with her. This thing with Maggie has to stop, and I’m ending it
tonight.