INK: Vanishing Point (Book 2) Read online

  I open my eyes to see Carl leading Bailey out by the scruff of his collar.

  “But I just wanted to talk to her, that’s all.” Bailey cries out. His speech is awkward and shaky again, like he was at the signing. Not the lower register that he was using when we were alone.

  After putting Bailey outside, Carl comes back in, giving me a disapproving look, “You’re done in here too. It’s time to go back to Eli’s.”

  “Carl, what was all that and why did it take you so long to get in here?” I’m still shaking and my mouth feels like sandpaper.

  “I’m not sure what happened; the only reason I came in is because I couldn’t feel you anymore. It was like you were gone. I thought you had given me the slip.” He raises his eyebrows, but notices I’m quivering and on the verge of completely breaking down. He cautiously steps toward me and pulls me into him, “Come here; it’s okay. He's just some harmless kid. I remember him from the signing. He’s just a crazy fan.”

  My shaking is subsiding, but I’m still upset, “That was so creepy, Carl. I thought he was going to kill me.”

  “He’s harmless, sweetheart. Besides, I was right outside. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” His heavy southern drawl helps his words sound true. He drops his arms from around me and goes to the picture of Aiden and me. “Darlin’ this isn’t how it happened.” His voice is bewildered and laced with disappointment.

  “It isn’t?” I’m hopeful that maybe I didn’t stab Aiden.

  He turns to me with a half smile raising his cheek, “Nope, it isn’t.”

  “Then tell me what happened,” I plead with him.

  “I can’t; you have to remember on your own.” The remorse in his expression is palpable. I can tell he wants to tell me. “You’re supposed to go in for questioning today; if you don’t remember by then I’ll tell you all I know when you're done. Deal?”

  “Deal,” I say, hanging my head in defeat.

  “Let’s go, you’ve got to get ready and I’m sure Eli is ready to mobilize the National Guard to find you.” He puts his arm around my shoulders.

  “Wait, Bailey had a key to the door.”

  “We’ll send someone over to change the locks.” He takes my back pack.

  “But how did he get a key, Carl?” That’s the part of this that disturbs me most.

  “You said he was at the signing; did you lose your keys?” Carl asks urging me out the door.

  “No, I have my keys.”

  “Well then that’s just another mystery we’ll have to solve. But let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 13

  Mistress of Mischief

  Shay

  The entrance of Eli’s neighborhood leaves a heavy feeling on my chest when we pass through the gate. Not just because of the all the reporters. They are there, but there’s more. It’s like when I was sixteen and my Dad caught up with me and Aiden after we had run away. My arms are tightly folded across my chest and Carl hasn’t said a word all the way over. He wouldn’t let me drive my car, saying that it was a bad idea until I got a clean bill of health from the doctor.

  “Shit!” My dad’s car is in the driveway. I know he’s going to be pissed that I took off, but I’m a grown woman.

  “He’s just worried about you, like we all are.” Carl pulls onto the sidewalk.

  I do my best zombie walk, trying to put off the inevitable. I know Eli’s going to be upset and hurt that I left. I had grown very comfortable in my solitude. No one told me what to do or what I couldn’t do.

  Carl looks back at me and rolls his eyes, “Really Shay, how old are you?”

  I groan and slow down even more, letting my neck get rubbery and shoulders slouch. “I don’t wanna.” If everyone is going to treat me like I'm three, I might as well act like it. I stop in the middle of the driveway.

  “Shay, come on. What’s gotten into you?” He looks at me like I’m crazy.

  “Nuthin’” I drop my backpack in the driveway and refuse to take another step.

  Carl puts on his best pissed-off face, knitting his brows across his tense forehead, which is pretty scary. “In the house, now.”

  The mischief monster that lives deep inside me has taken over, and all of the seriousness and pain of all the darkness has driven me to mad silliness. I’m not smart enough to pull this bullshit on someone that loves me. I pull it on the biggest, baddest motherfucker I know. Live dangerously, right? Besides, Carl is a big teddy bear. When I first met him I imagined that he'd killed dozens of men for looking at him wrong. I’ll bet he’d have a hard time hurting a fly. I’m evaluating my chances of getting away with more of a childish outburst than I’ve already had.

  I fold my arms across my chest and say simply, “No.”

  He’s completely perplexed; he doesn’t know what to make of my mental ramblings or my refusal to move. “This is your last chance; get in the house."

  “Or what?” I challenge and purse my lips pulling them to the side raising an eyebrow.

  He starts toward me and I take off running on the grass. I’m feeling daring so try to pull off a cartwheel, “try” being the operative word. I fall in the grass laughing, but get up quick to escape Carl, who is barreling toward me to drag me in the house. He’s good and pissed. I’ve managed to get the whole world angry with me now.

  Laughing, I run around the yard staying just out of Carl’s reach. His face is turning red. And all I can do is laugh and feel free even though I can feel the blood pumping through my neck. Carl’s trying to hide the smile on his face, but I see it. I think this is just what we both needed. I'm skipping and giggling so hard my feet fail me and he swoops in and grabs me up.

  Laughter is rattling through me while I kick my feet in protest. “Put me down!”

  “You are a troublesome little thing, you know that?” he half laughs, trying to maintain his serious Carl demeanor.

  “Shayleigh!” The moment of silliness is shattered by my father’s voice booming across the yard.

  “Oh shit.” I look at Carl.

  “Oh shit is right.” He nods to the driveway where my Dad is standing with Eli and McNab. I slide down from Carl and plant my feet on the ground.

  “What are you doing, Carl?” McNab and his serious tone does not make it any easier to control the giggles trying to bust out of me.

  “Bringing her in the house sir.” Carl is stiff, chastised.

  Eli is standing next to McNab unblinking, he’s good and pissed. “Shay?”

  “What is it with you people?” I pick up my backpack walking toward the front door, “Everyone’s so serious. I’m the one that’s going to jail for murdering my neighbors, your mistress and my boyfriend, fiancé, ex-boyfriend…whatever. My house burnt down, meaning I don’t have a home, and probably don’t have a job. I’m not allowed to drive; did I miss anything? Oh yeah and I had a stalker watching me sleep all night. Is that enough of a suckfest to cut me a little slack when I can find some happiness?" I turn around at the door and look at the four of them just staring at me like I did something wrong. I can’t stop myself even with Dad there I let it roll off my tongue like a dare: “Fuck. All. Y'all.”

  I quickly think to myself, not you Carl, thanks. He winks at me with a hint of a smile. I walk through the door and slam it.

  ***

  Eli

  We are all standing here stunned. I don’t think Harry has ever heard Shay say “fuck” before. Judging from his jowls hanging to the driveway he's just as shocked as any of us. I feel pretty bad for Carl, I know what it’s like getting caught up in her whirlwind. It’s a beautiful thing, like standing in the middle of a hurricane or watching a tidal wave coming straight for you. It’s terrifying yet exhilarating.

  We’re all speechless, but McFruitcake speaks first, “Does she have a history of schizophrenia?”

  “Not that’s been documented.” I start for the front door. “But trust me, we are about to see a major mood swing after I tell her where I’ve been all night.”

  “Sh
e’s had a pretty eventful evening too.” Carl chimes in, then looks at McFruitcake, “We need to talk.”

  “Yes, you need to fill me in on everything that’s been happening.” McFruitcake turns to Harry and me. “We’ll meet you inside.”

  “Fine, let’s go Harry. This is going to be hard for her and she’s going to be questioned about this one in the meeting today,” I say leading Harry into the house.

  Chapter 14

  Grenades & Desperate Petting

  Shay

  This is the best shower ever. Eli had the good sense to have one of those rainmaker shower heads installed when he had the house built. It makes the water feel extra special soft just gliding on my skin. I don’t feel one bit bad about letting loose today. Something has to give or I am going to lose my shit completely. I can’t take being cooped up forever with no fun and be surrounded by frowny faces all day and night.

  I turn the water off and wring the excess water from my hair. I grab the towel hanging outside the door and wrap it around myself and step out of the shower. Eli rounds the corner with his button-up shirt half off and stops when he sees me. Oh crap, there’s still some mischief left in me and seeing his bare chest and lean six-pack just makes me feel a little naughtier. I bite my lip to keep it from quivering.

  Eli can’t take his eyes off me; his words don’t match his tone. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were in here.” He starts to turn away.

  “Where are you going?” My eyebrows are arched in interest.

  “I was going to let you get dressed.” He looks away and brings his shirt back up onto his shoulders.

  “I would rather you get undressed.” Swaying over to where he’s standing, I run my hands under his shirt and up onto his strong shoulders, slipping his shirt off in the process. Looking up into his sparkling blue eyes, I can’t help but think of the sapphires on the ring. I knead my fingers into his skin.

  He puts his hands on my waist. He has a pained look on his face as he touches his forehead to mine, expelling a long breath. “You drive me crazy, Shay.”

  Eli’s mouth rolls toward mine as I tilt my head and breathe onto his lips. “Kiss me.”

  His gaze locks onto mine as I look up at him through my lashes, giving him the best “fuck me” look I have. He squeezes his eyes shut. “Shay.” He hesitates.

  My finger rests heavy on his bottom lip, dragging it down lightly. “Shhh, just kiss me.”

  Our lips melt together and my body presses hard against him. His hands glide down to my ass and Eli grabs on. His tongue slowly explores the inside of my mouth teasing in the most sinful ways. Eli’s driving me crazy and he knows it. My fingers find the beauty of his strong back. I dig in with my nails and he intensifies the kiss.

  A moan rattles from within me; I want him to take me away from all of this by way of his ecstasy. Eli hasn’t made love to me in too long. I need him. I need to feel free with him; it’s always pure and sweet.

  He pulls back breathless and holds his eyes shut tight, “Shay, we have to go; we don’t have time.”

  I can’t hear him say that right now, I can’t hear those words from him now. “Eli, please don’t tell me no.”

  “Shay, I have to, you have to be there. On time.” His hands come back up to my waist.

  Tears sting at the corner of my eyes. I look down to keep him from seeing them. “Eli, please. I need to be with you. Feel close to you, one last time.”

  “What do you mean ‘one last time?’” Gently he guides my chin up to meet his eyes.

  “Eli, they are going to put me in jail. I’m not coming back here. We both know it.” I suck in my lip to keep it from quivering.

  “No,” he corrects me with a tiny huff of a laugh, “They aren’t putting you in jail; they are trying to nail Aiden for shooting you. They already have a warrant out for his arrest; they are just trying to gather evidence against him.”

  “Are you sure?” I actually feel like a three year old now looking up at him.

  “Is that what this is all about? You wanted to have sex with me because you thought you were going to jail?” He’s trying to hide the hurt in his tone, but it's there and I can hear it.

  I nod, my eyes still locked on his. “Partly.” It comes out weak. “And I’ve missed you and I wanted you to remember me, you know, if I was gone for a long time.”

  “Shay,” His voice is scolding yet soft. “First you’re not going to jail; second I could never forget you.” He pulls me into him so I can feel him full and ready to go. “This is for you and nobody else."

  I run my fingers down his back, lightly touching his skin to give it one last try. “Are you sure we don’t have time?”

  “Right now I have to get you down to the law firm. There are a couple of other things we need to go over before we go to the police station.”

  “Police station? Why are we going there.” My mood changes in an instant.

  “Jason will explain everything. Your Dad is going to take you to the office. Then I’ll meet you down there?” He says it like he’s asking permission.

  “Okay, I guess I don’t have much of a choice.” I pout and drop my towel as he walks past me to get in the shower.

  “Shay, go get dressed before I change my mind.” He says looking at me hungrily. “You-are-killing-me.”

  “Why not? I apparently kill everyone else,” I say under my breath as I leave the bathroom.

  ***

  Shay

  I want to believe Eli, but nothing ever seems to go as planned. He’s holding something big back from me. I don’t know what it is, but it’s huge. Getting dressed in my other outfit, I wonder if I’ll ever have more than two again. I run a comb through my wet hair and pull it back into a high pony tail. I’m not trying to impress anyone and I’m not in the mood for a fuss.

  Dad’s been out there with McNab and Carl for a while now. I shouldn’t leave them alone for too long. Who knows what could happen? To say that McNab was unorthodox would be the understatement of the century and Dad is so old-fashioned it could go real bad real fast.

  There’s laughter coming from the great room. As I walk in from the hallway the talking stops, as usual. “Taker of tongues.” I mutter under my breath.

  “What’s that, honey?” Dad asks.

  “Nothing, just my Native American name.” I breeze past them to the kitchen for coffee. Carl snickers and McNab shoots him a look.

  “McNab was just telling me about some lady that thought she had a ghost in her house, but turned out it was just a rat that was caught in the toilet trying to get out.” Dad can barely say the words he’s laughing so hard, “Being on the force for as long as I was, I know how many stupid people there are out there.”

  I shoot McNab a look, tearing off a bite of plain bagel. “Hilarious.” I roll my eyes. For a minute I forget why I’m mad at McNab and then remember he’s been keeping information from me. When he said he wouldn’t. He also abandoned me and I didn’t like how he talked to Carl. It’s not Carl’s fault that I’m a psycho and need to blow off some steam. I didn’t want him to get in trouble.

  “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, kid.” McNab leans forward on the couch.

  “Yup.” My answer is curt, “Dad are you ready to go?”

  “Just about, Doodlebug.” He looks at his watch. “I want to talk some more to McNab.”

  “Really, you want to talk to McNab?” I emphasize his name as it drips off my lips.

  “What’s the matter, sweetheart? Twenty minutes ago you were doing cartwheels, now you’re spitting fire from your eyes,” Dad says pushing his glasses onto his head.

  “Nice analogy, Commissioner Baynes,” McNab says and winks at me when Dad’s not looking.

  “I’m retired, McNab; you don’t need to call me Commissioner.” He smiles.

  “I’ll tell you what’s the matter, Dad. Mr. funnyman McNab here has been aiding and abetting a certain Mr. Aiden Roth who, for those of you not keeping score, shot me.” I fold my arms over my chest l
ike I’ve just dropped a bomb in the room. But no one is reacting like I’d hoped. Carl is actually grimacing at me and McNab is grinning like the Cheshire cat. I’d like to slap that grin off his face. I can’t believe he’s enjoying this.

  “Honey, there are things at work here you don’t understand.” He looks at his watch and stands up. “You’re right, we should go.”

  Fuck me, seriously? Everyone is okay with what happened? I mean I still don’t know the details, but maybe if I did I could be on Aiden’s side too. If he would call me, if someone would tell me something I could at least have some peace of mind. I close my eyes and exhale. “You’ve all gone mad.”

  “Come on honey, we have to meet with Jason.” Dad walks over to McNab and offers his hand to shake.

  “Dad, McNab doesn’t like to be touched.” I try to save McNab the trouble of explaining.

  McNab takes Dad’s hand in both of his standing up and shaking it. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, sir.” He looks directly at me flashing a great big “fuck you” grin, lifting his eyebrows.

  My eyes round out in shock before squinting to an evil eye aimed straight at McNab. I look at Carl and he just shrugs. Eli walks into the room tying his necktie and is startled to a stop by the look I’m giving him. “Whoa.”

  “Sorry, miss-fire.” My glare returns to McNab as the deserving target.

  “Who pulled the pin on that grenade?” Eli continues through the door to his office.

  McNab chuckles, “There is so much love in this room, kid. I really hope you appreciate it.”

  McNab’s sincerity comes through with his words. I know my Dad and Eli love me and won’t let anything happen to me. They both put up with so much. Eli’s in his office; he’s so handsome and put-together and he’s putting his ass on the line for me again.

  Then there’s Dad; he’s here with me and he’s also going to see this through. Taking a moment to look at each one of the men here for me I do feel full of love and kindness. But there is still an emptiness inside me. There’s someone missing. Aiden. Above all else he was always my friend.