Liar, page 20
“Stop!” I manage to squeak out in between giggle fits. “I can’t breathe.” I pant for a second while he gives me a tickle break. “Okay. Now, what’s your second point?”
“Well, technically, I don’t believe I was eavesdropping. I think it was more like spying.”
“Tomato, toma-toe. Either way, it’s not nice.” I smirk.
He crawls on top of me now, muscling me into the sofa and kissing my neck as I squirm. “Well, I never said that I was nice, baby.”
Staring into his blazing eyes, I give up squirming and wrap my arms around his neck. “Mm. I wouldn’t have you any other way, baby.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
As usual, the sex last night was amazing, both times. Not that the sex this morning wasn’t just as awesome; it was. But my smile begins to fade as I recall the details from his phone conversation yesterday. I cannot let anything happen to him. I would never forgive myself. What if he gets caught? What if Derek finds out and locks him up? Or worse? No, I have to do something.
Turning up the windshield wipers, I try to see through pouring sheets of rain. This is all I need today. I have to tell Dave that I’m taking a vacation next week. Maybe if we hurry, there won’t be any need to go to Maui or to put Adam at risk, at all. There is absolutely no way I can take a vacation without telling Dave where I’m going and who I’m going with. And, once he finds out that I met Adam at work serving subs, he’s going to blow a gasket. Well, I don’t have a choice. I simply have to lie.
Frustrated, I’m wishing I could be in three places at once—meeting with the ladies, working at the office, and lying on a beach somewhere naked with Adam. I need a clone. Wait! That’s exactly what I need. A clone.
While I may not have a real clone, I have the next closest thing. I have Sami. There’s no time to talk to her before work, but I can swing by there later this morning. Leaning forward and squinting to see through the rain, I step on the gas, hauling ass at thirty miles per hour to the office. At this rate, I should make it there by lunchtime.
Dave and Joe are standing around Dave’s laptop, laughing, when I get there. They stop as soon as I walk over to hang my jacket, which means they were looking at dirty jokes.
“’Morning.” I grumble, not even looking at them on my way to the coffee pot.
“’Morning,” Joe says as he walks past, embarrassed, and trying to look busy now.
“I have the deets on our new jezebel.” Dave stands up and walks over to the printer. “Name’s Sadie Gunther and she works over at Sentry Insurance on Polk. The husband says he works late every Wednesday and Friday, and she’s taken to coming home late on those nights, too, like right before he arrives. He thinks she’s meeting someone after work.”
Ugh. Today’s Wednesday already. But I need to meet the ladies after work.
“Let me see.” I snatch the papers and the photos out of Dave’s hand and study them while drinking my coffee.
“Joe, I need to know this guy’s twenty, where he is, where he’s going today and where he’s thinking about going tomorrow.” He hands Joe a new case file, but I barely listen, busy with my new girl’s bio.
Mrs. Gunther is actually a beauty, mid-twenties, long brown hair, and a body to die for. The first thing I notice is that she sure doesn’t look happy in any of these photos. I’d love to ask her why, but that’s not part of the gig. Anonymity is my job, and she can never know I even exist.
Placing my coffee cup in the sink, I deploy my excuse to leave. “I don’t really know where this Sentry office is. I’m going to go check it out, try to get familiar with that area. I’ll be back shortly.”
He doesn’t even question it.
“Lucy sent us all some spaghetti for lunch. So don’t stop anywhere and eat. She made enough to feed a small village last night.”
“Oh, really? It sure was nice of her to cook dinner for you.” I smirk as I shrug on my jacket. “I’ll be back before lunch.”
The rain has subsided a little by the time I get back into my car. I grab my phone to text Sami. “You there? Heading your way.”
A half hour later, I arrive at Sami’s, and the rain has finally stopped. She’s standing at the door waiting for me by the time I step up on the porch.
“I talked to Candy,” she says, shaking her head in disbelief.
“Yeah. Ain’t that a kick in the ass?” I don’t know why I was surprised. I think part of me had actually hoped I was wrong. “At least we’re one-hundred percent sure now.”
“She said that blood type is so rare that the odds of this are virtually astronomical. No way it could be anybody else.”
When I hand my damp jacket to Sami, she holds it in front of her between two fingers as if it’s dirty or something.
“Listen, we have to do this before Friday.”
“What? Why? I don’t know if we can even pull everything together by then.”
I take a deep, shaky breath. “All I can say is that someone I care about, someone I love, is about to put his life in jeopardy. And I can’t let him do it. I have to end this tomorrow.”
Sami’s eyes turn dark and severe. “I want to be the one to do it.”
“What?” I can’t believe what she’s saying. “No. I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking me to do anything. I thought about this all night, and what that sick bastard did to those girls. I want to do it. Then I’m going to cut the fucker’s balls off and stuff them in his mouth.”
Jesus. I’ve created a monster. I shake my head. “This is exactly what I was talking about when I said we have to make sure that we’re controlling our rage and it doesn’t start controlling us. Do you have any idea how much attention that would bring? The police would never let it go, especially with him being a cop.”
“Fine. I won’t cut his balls off, then.” Sami sounds disappointed.
“I should be the one to do it. This is all happening because of me.”
“This is because of him, not you,” she says with severity. “And we talked about this, Billie. You are the only one it should not be. You know him. It’s too easy to trace a connection back to you. It should be one of us.”
“Well, I was thinking. If I were to be on camera somewhere else when everything happens, then I would have a rock-solid alibi.”
“But if you’re there and you’re the one pulling the trigger, how can you be somewhere else at the same time?”
My eyes cruise up and down her slight physique. “You have to admit, Sami. We look a helluva lot alike.”
She smiles, a hint of confusion still lingering. “So?”
“So, I was thinking. There are cameras in the parking garage of my friend’s building, on every floor and in the elevators. With the right clothes, a hat, and maybe some glasses, they’d never be able to tell the difference between me and you.”
“But my hair is so much darker than yours.”
“Surely, those cameras wouldn’t be able to pick up that subtle a difference, especially in a dark garage. And, for that matter, we could stuff our hair beneath a hat.”
“Maybe.” She considers, thoughtfully. “But it’s risky.”
“I should be the one to do this. You know that.” I feel like I’ve missed something all these years, like I should have known there was something wrong with Derek a long time ago. I should have done something back then.
“Well, maybe we could pull it off, if Gabby helps us. She used to be a hairdresser, you know. We can see what she thinks.”
“I think this will work.” I nod excitedly.
“When are you going to... you know. Do it? Have you decided?”
“Tomorrow night.”
“How?”
“Well, I have an idea. But I’ll need help. And, wherever I do it, it has to be some place without cameras or witnesses.” I pinch my lip, deep in thought.
Sami picks up her phone and starts to dial.
“Who are you calling?”
“Gabby,” she says as if I should already know that.
We’re going to need more than Gabby if we’re going to pull this off. One day to prepare is not ideal, but I have a plan.
By lunchtime, Gabby has created a set of almost identical twins. Both in jeans, black T-shirts and red sneakers, we’re almost a perfect match. The only thing we’re lacking are the hats and glasses.
“Well, remember, it’s going to be dark by then. So, whatever sunglasses we get, they need to be extra light.”
Gabby collapses into a chair, as if the two hours she spent doing our hair and our makeup has exhausted her. “I know. I got it.” She waves us off.
“I have to go back to work, but I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“Take off. I’ll handle the other stuff.” Sami smiles. “But don’t forget we’re meeting at Gabby’s house again tonight. And don’t worry. It’s all under control.”
Is it? Because, I just don’t know. In fact, I don’t feel like I’ve ever been this far out of control. I smile at Sami.
At the office, I do a little more research on my latest cheater. She doesn’t look like your typical, run-of-the-mill cheating wife. Her dress, her appearance, her history—none of it screams cheating whore to me. I can’t help but wonder what exactly has driven her to do this, to look for love outside of her warm, cozy marriage bed, not that I’d condone it, whatever it is.
The rest of the afternoon crawls by with me in a funk performing any trivial task I can find and not really focusing on work at all. I’m just going through all the motions. Running the plans for tomorrow through my head over and over again, I look for holes and then look for solutions to any holes I find. Am I really doing this?
At four-thirty, I can’t stand it any longer and I grab my coat and keys and hit the door, waving behind me. I haul ass straight to Gabby’s house so we can go over all the details again.
“Come on in. Everyone’s not here yet.”
Gabby opens the door, and Lucy greets me as I step inside.
“Hello, sugar. Don’t you look pretty today?” She holds me in front of her, her eyes cruising up and down me.
“Thanks. I did that.” Gabby smiles.
“Well, hon, you should let Gabby start getting you ready more often.”
“Hey there!” Sami comes in from the kitchen, a glass of wine in her hand. “I told them what we talked about earlier.”
“That’s fine.” I look at Lucy. “Lucy, I’m going to need your help with this, too.”
She grins from ear-to-ear. “Well, sure thing, doll. Whatever you need.”
A few minutes later, we’re all here, huddled in a circle around Gabby’s dining table, plotting like a bunch of conspirators. Well, I guess we are a bunch of conspirators.
“First of all, I think everyone here knows that Candy was able to get a match on Derek’s blood.”
Lora looks at Candy for confirmation, and Candy nods. “Spot on, sister. There’s no doubt in my mind. It’s his blood.”
“So, we’re moving forward. And it has to be tomorrow.” I look around the table at each of them.
“Tomorrow?” Jade shakes her head, doubting.
“Yes, tomorrow,” I reply firmly. “We don’t have a choice. Some... well, new facts have come to my attention and now, we just can’t wait. Gabby and Sami, you both know your parts.”
Gabby and Sami both nod.
“Yep. And I picked up the glasses and the hats this afternoon, too,” Gabby confirms.
“Good. Lucy, I’m going to need you and your car tomorrow night. And, you’re going to need to be dressed to kill, pardon the pun.” I almost tell her to wear something extra slutty, but then, I look at her in her tight, Spandex pants and her low-cut, frilly blouse, and I remember she always does. “I’ll tell you when and where.
“Candy, I’m afraid you’re not done yet. I’m going to need to ask you for something else.”
She looks like a fierce Barbie doll. “Just name it. I want to nail that bastard.”
Everyone nods, their game faces on.
“And Jade and Lora, I have jobs for you two, as well.”
“We’re ready. Bring it on.” Jade smiles.
Staring out at the group, I shake my head and smile. We look like a cupcake brigade. No one in their right mind would believe that we’re assassins, cold-blooded vigilantes, planning a deadly strike. Yet, here we are.
“Alright. So ladies, I found out yesterday that Derek goes to the gym to work out on Thursday nights. I think that’s the best place to do this. And, here’s what I’m thinking we should do...”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Thursday dawns, and once again, I wake up before the alarm goes off. I turn my head and watch Adam as he sleeps peacefully. If anything goes wrong tonight, I won’t be able to wake up like this anymore, next to him, comforted by the sound of his steady breathing, his warmth, his presence. I don’t really care about anything else. But this... losing this will kill me. I am suddenly overwhelmed by how much I love this man.
Flipping over on my side to face him, I’m surprised that for once, I didn’t steal all the covers during the night. I slide my hand beneath the sheet and stroke his thigh. If I’m going to prison tonight, or worse, then I want to make love to him one last time before I go. I want one more intimate memory to carry with me, to cherish, wherever I end up.
Gently pulling down the covers to reveal the sleeping beast, I lean over and kiss him. The beast stirs. I stroke it lightly with my finger and then stick out my tongue, tickling his fuzzy jewels with it first, and then I lick him like a lollipop, starting from the bottom of his shaft all the way up to the beautiful smooth head, and I suck a little dew drop from the very tip. Then, I stretch open my mouth and take him in, all of him, and I feel the beast awaken, thickening against my tongue. I suck and swirl around it, and once he’s fully bathed, I take him into my hands, sliding them gently up and down.
He stirs and moans, and I’m not totally sure if he’s awake, but no matter. This is more for me, a precious memory to pack away with all the others, only to pull out when I’m alone and in need of comfort.
I kiss him again, and the beast twitches. I lean forward, capturing him with my hand and guiding him into me. Softly, I sink down, disappearing him inside of me, reveling in the fullness I feel. Eyes closed, I rest my head on my shoulder, and then, slowly, I ride him.
Groaning and flexing, Adam bucks beneath me, his breathing heavy and rapid now. The headboard raps loudly against the wall as I brace myself against it. My orgasm building, my muscles tense, and I hold my breath.
“Oh, God.” Rolling my hips, I grind and press against him until I’m ready to explode. Screwing my eyes shut tight, I toss my head back as pleasure rips through me like a slow tsunami.
“Jesus, baby,” Adam groans through gritted teeth as he grasps my hips, stilling me as he fills me up, spasming and twitching. His beautiful face is soft and sated, glowing with the remnants of our love making. This is the picture I will pack away and take with me. This is the one I will cherish.
Catching his breath, he raises his hands to his face, palming his eyes and then running his fingers through his thick, messy hair.
“Well, good morning to you, too.” He smiles.
Two hours later, we walk together to the parking garage and prepare to say goodbye, something that has become a usual routine for us. I roll down my window, and he leans in.
“Don’t forget that today’s Thursday,” I remind him.
He looks at me curiously.
“Glee club? Here? Tonight?”
“Oh. I know. I didn’t forget. Don’t worry. I’ll stay out of your hair.”
“What time do you think you’ll be getting home?”
“Nine-thirty? Ten? Is that too early?”
“No. Not at all. I just want to have some dinner ready for us when you get home. And I know I’ll be missing you like crazy by then.” And now, I know I need to be back here by nine-thirty, at the latest.
“Me, too. But at least I have something sweet to remember all day.” He smiles, reaching inside and cupping my sex.
“Adam!” I grin, surveying the garage nervously. “You are so bad.”
“I just have it bad for you, baby.” He leans in and kisses me. “Be good today. I’ll see you tonight.”
God, I hope so. “Okay. Have a great day.”
Leaving the garage, I head toward the office as normal. But a few blocks later, when I’m sure he isn’t behind me, I turn right toward my house instead, and wrangle my phone out my pocket as I drive.
“Hello?” Dave sounds preoccupied.
“Dave? It’s me. I’m going to go by the Gunthers’ this morning and check out the neighborhood.” This is something I usually do, anyway, so it shouldn’t raise any red flags.
“Okay. You have the address with you?”
“Yeah. I’ll probably swing by her office after that and see what she does for lunch, who she eats with, where she goes, whatever. You never know, I might get lucky and get a good shot or two. But either way, I should be in after that.”
“Okay, kiddo. Call me before you come in, and I’ll let you know if there’s anything else I need you to do for me while you’re out.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you later, then.”
“Bye.” He hangs up.
Dropping the phone back into my pocket, I place my hand comfortably on the steering wheel and take my time driving home. The calmness I feel is almost surprising since this is D-Day. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I’ve decided whatever happens, happens. Que sera, sera. If I get caught, I just need to accept the consequences. And, except for Adam, there’s really no one who would even miss me if I had to do any hard time.
Do they still have the death penalty in Arkansas?
Well, maybe Dave or Lucy would miss me, but they’d get over it soon enough. On the other hand, Adam has his whole family, his mom and all his sisters, anyway, and as close as they are, it would kill them if something happened to him.
Sitting in the driveway and staring at my house, it looks weird now, like it’s someone else’s. And, depending on how tonight goes, it may very well be someone else’s house before long. With that, I sigh and get out of the car.
