Chapter Thirteen:
Katrine sat on her bed, the large book in front of her, open wide to the last two pages. She’d finished it a few minutes prior and had taken time to go through it a second time, re-reading passages she found interesting.
A knock.
“Come in.”
A slight creek of the door opening, then, “Katrine.”
She looked up and nodded.
“Did you finish the book?” Darren got down to the point as he walked into her bedroom. He knew it wasn’t exactly proper to be there, but it would be the last place Erik would ever think to look, should the need arise.
“I did, Monsieur.”
“And are you ready to talk?”
“Yes, I am ready.”
Darren stepped inside and shut the door firmly behind him, “What did you hear last night?”
She chose to forget propriety for the moment and gestured for Darren to sit in the rocking chair across from her bed. “I was coming through on my way to the kitchen when I heard Lexa’s name being mentioned. Out of curiosity, I stopped and listened.” Her answer was straight and to the point.
“That is when you heard us talking about The Killing Moon.”
She nodded. “I have never asked about Monsieur’s past before, I never thought it proper. But over the course of the years I have been here, I have observed things on my own. This book has given me much more insight into his bloodline and what caused him to be the way he is, but for all that, this still does not tell me what it has to do with Lexa.”
“The situation with Mademoiselle is very complicated. I know I agreed to answer your questions, perhaps at this time it is best not to ask...”
“But, I care for Lexa and if this has to do with her, I believe I should know.” She insisted, keeping her words polite, but firm. Darren was sure he’d never heard her sound like that before.
“Monsieur’s history and bloodline does not have any direct bearing on Mademoiselle at this moment, but The Killing Moon does. I know the book does not describe that, because The Killing Moon was not discovered until many years after the book was completed.”
She leaned forward and studied him, “I see. So, I am to assume that The Killing Moon is a full moon?”
“Yes. And no.”
Her eyebrows lifted. This was indeed going to be interesting, “By all means…”
Darren sat back in the rocking chair and crossed his legs, “What distinguishes The Killing Moon from any other full moon that rises is that it has a certain glow around its parameter that only the panther can see with his sharp eyes. It only happens about four times a year and it is a time when Monsieur is most vulnerable to his inner beast, the time when emotions run high. Extreme emotions, such as anger, jealousy, lust…love. Most of the time, being isolated here, he was always in control of such emotions, which is why we never saw the severe swings.”
“And this is what is happening to him now?”
“Yes he is currently under The Killing Moon and it is always a difficult time, but this time has been much more difficult. But it is particularly hard for the female as it is the time that her pheromones increase significantly, causing her to experience her fertile time, the time she can most likely conceive offspring. The feelings can be quite overwhelming and disturbing the first time it happens, especially if she is unaware and unprepared for it.” He told her, keeping close observation to see if she was comprehending.
Katrine caught his gaze but was still confused, “But I read here in the book that there were no female’s suffering from the syndrome. Monsieur is the last of his kind as he was an only child.”
“You are correct, only the male bears the mutated gene and can pass it on. By female, I mean the panther’s chosen mate.”
“Oh, yes, I see. Did Monsieur ever…?”
“Yes, Monsieur did choose a mate many years ago, but his situation was quite by accident. He told me the story last night. She was a young girl, about the age of fourteen. See, she had fallen and when he pulled her from the river and tried to wake her, he bit at her, inadvertently causing her to bleed. Because of this, he took some of her blood inside him, and in turn his saliva, his DNA was taken inside her. And as you read, if there is such an exchange of blood and saliva between a human female and panther, it begins a bonding process. But in Monsieur’s case, circumstances prevented him from coming to her and telling what had happened and therefore, he lost sight of her for twenty years.” He paused for a moment, then said, “Until almost three months ago.”
Katrine’s eyes widened, her face went flush as she put the pieces together. “My God, Lexa was the young girl.”
Darren fell momentarily quiet to gather his thoughts, all of it still trying to make sense to him as well.
“And, what circumstances prevented him from telling her this?” she prompted him. Surely he wasn’t going to turn tight-lipped now.
Darren took another deep breath, “It happened right here in Rawdon. Her parents and some campers found him hovering over Mademoiselle’s unconscious body. They….” He again paused for a moment, then continued, “…you must understand, they were frightened and of course they had no way of knowing he was human inside…”
“Monsieur. Tell me please.”
“They burned him, Katrine.”
“No!” she cried out.
“He managed to run away, but another camper fired a gun at him. A bullet pierced him once in the side, going through the flesh, not life threatening. He ran until he found a part of the river that was unoccupied and he lay in the cold water, but the damage had been done.”
She turned away, clinching her eyes shut to fight the tears, her hands gripping her bedcover. “And this is why he wears…”
“The mask, yes. And one of the reasons he chose not to return to her in human form. He knew the sight of his newly burned face would scare her.”
“But with Mademoiselle gone, could he have not found another mate? All the women he has brought here…albeit for such short periods of time…”
The women. With all the talk about Lexa, Darren had
almost forgotten about them. Monsieur didn’t want just whores. He didn’t even
want to think about how many times he had to go into different parts of
“Yes, the human can marry whomever they wish, but the panther chooses only one mate to bond with for life. Monsieur told me that the feelings that come from that bond cannot be duplicated. That overwhelming sense of love, protection, commitment that the panther feels for a mate, the sheer passion, it just would not have been there. If he chose to marry someone else, he would not have been devoted to her; therefore he felt it would be a tremendous disservice to them both.”
“It would be nothing like the way he feels about Mademoiselle Lexa, now he has found her again.”
He nodded.
“And Monsieur did not know The Killing Moon had risen the last night she was here?”
“No, he told me that the distraction from Mademoiselle’s return had caused him not to observe the moon on his nightly run and since The Killing Moon only comes about four times a year, he was not expecting it. All he could think of that night was that his lust drove him almost mad. He said when he went to her room and found her gone, he lost all reason. He ran through the house, room after room and when he finally found her in the kitchen, he burst in on her. His fear that she had fled, plus seeing her in her state of…I should say…undress, he was very harsh to her. His loss of control caused him to touch her, be more forceful with her, something that he’d sworn himself against. It was not until the night after she returned home that he fully observed the moon and realized what was happening, thus realizing the true impact of his loss of control. Monsieur believes that is the cause of what I have been observing in Mademoiselle’s behavior these past three weeks.”
“So, by touching her the way that he did…?”
He ran his hand though his hair and sighed, “His emotional state, his own heightened pheromones, their physical contact…it was a trigger, you see.”
“And the rage that Monsieur experienced? She had already left…”
“Yes, but that was anger, jealously that another man touched who the panther inside truly believes is his mate. But more than that, also guilt for doing what he has done to her. And sadness because he cannot make her his mate for life.”
“But I cannot understand…now that he has found her, why can he not just tell her, make her his mate and end both of their suffering?”
He leaned forward and gave her a shrug, “Because there is a chance she could become what he is.”
She gasped in response. “She could become a panther? How?”
“If they make love during The Killing Moon, yes, they will seal the bond between them but if she takes any of his blood, she will become infected with the mutated gene. He does not want that for her, to have her suffer the pain of shifting the way he does. Plus, The Killing Moon, as I said, being the female’s most fertile time, it is very likely that she would become pregnant and of course he refuses to have her bear his young.”
“So that the bloodline ends with him.”
Darren nodded and Katrine fell back and rested against her headboard, everything finally starting to make some sense. She closed the book and pulled it against her chest, “You did not lie when you said it was complicated. Poor Monsieur….poor Lexa. I wish…”
He gave her an exasperated sigh and he once again leaned back, softly rocked back and forth in the chair, “Yes, I know, but sometimes, those who are in love are not always meant to be together.”
____________________________________________
By the time she heard the door open, Lexa had just gotten the pasta salad out of the refrigerator and was putting the lasagna out on David’s small dining table.
She lazily tossed the potholders into the kitchen, then stood back to check out everything as she brushed last minute garlic bread crumbs off of the apron that covered her nice black dress.
It was all set. Although Sunday night was not their usual date night, when David called and asked to see her, she found it was the best opportunity to end the relationship even sooner than she’d expected. She agreed to the date, then offered to fix dinner at his apartment. She figured if she was going to break his heart, she at least owed him one nice meal first. Let him down easy over a nice dessert, she told herself.
Actually, the thought of ending it made her feel better than she had in weeks, which was odd considering she knew what it would do to David. He had become clingy and every time she saw him this past week, he got progressively worse. It was driving her crazy, almost to the point where even hearing his voice could sometimes cause her to get ill. She surmised, with the help of Arcadia Moonflower and her hypnotherapy (which she was sure wasn’t working until Tasha told her two hours later that she’d succeeded in making her cluck like a chicken), that her unhappiness and reluctance to be with David was manifesting itself physically, such as nausea, headaches, or feeling faint when he came too close to having sex with her. It was her body’s own defense. If that was the case, she was certainly looking forward to not being so blah, so melancholy all the time.
But if there was one thing she couldn't ask
She spun on her heels to see David come inside, a bottle of wine in his hand, laughing, “This was absolutely the last bottle of Avignonesi Desiderio left in Montreal, I swear I went to five different places.” he sat it on the nicely decorated table, then stood back and looked it all over.
“What do you think?” she asked him, feigning a smile.
“It looks perfect, sweetness, just perfect.”
She groaned at his use of sweetness, yet again.
He held out the chair for her and watched as she removed her apron, then groaned at the vision of her in the medium length, flutter sleeved black dress as she sat down. It wasn’t normally the kind of dress he liked her in, too conservative for his taste, but tonight, it just didn’t seem to matter.
God, what was this woman doing to him? He’d barely been able to keep his hands to himself since she’d gotten there earlier to start dinner. All of his thoughts, day and night, were on her and that was something that didn’t even happen when they were first dating. It was rapidly getting to the point where he couldn't concentrate on anything else, his job, his friends, none of it mattered. All that did matter was that he wanted to be with Lexa Gordon, be inside her and never emerge again. That single thought alone made him even more lust drunk.
Sitting down opposite her, he poured two glasses of wine, “I say we toast to our future.”
“Uh, okay.” She responded uneasily to his leering.
It was this same leering that had forced her to send him out to find a rare bottle of Avignonesi Desiderio in the first place. Because of his larger kitchen, she’d agreed to fix the dinner at his apartment inside of fixing it at her own and bringing there. Big mistake. She found once she arrived there that she couldn't do anything for him touching her all the time. It didn’t make any sense. Yes, they were always rather affectionate, but he also knew how far he could go, just by her body language. Now, no matter where they were, his hands were all over her. Why couldn't he tell it made her uncomfortable? Why, when she told him to back off, did he just keep trying to touch her?
“Uh, Lexa?” David asked. The familiar clink of his glass to hers made her jump slightly, embarrassed she’d let herself slip away and hoped he hadn’t said anything additional that required a response.
“Oh, yes, sorry. To our future.”
“Hey, where’s your ring?” he asked passively, observing her hand as she held the wine glass. He knew it was like Lexa to remove her rings and other jewelry before she showered or did the dishes, he assumed she simply didn’t replace it afterwards.
But her sudden widened eyes said differently.
Lexa had the ring, but it was in her purse to return to him, she simply couldn't bear wearing it another moment. She told herself on the way to David’s that she’d lie, say she forgot to put it back on after her shower, but she truly didn’t expect him to ask so soon and in her surprise, she found she was quickly losing her nerve.
“Lexa? What is it? Did you lose the ring?” he sat down his glass and waited.
“No, of course not, don’t be silly.”
“Then, where is it?”
What a coward she was becoming. She’d been waiting for this moment for a long time and now that she had the opportunity, why was she holding back? Was it because she didn’t want to hurt David? Perhaps, perhaps not. He made her skin crawl, her teeth almost itch, but was that his fault, or hers? No…she told herself…delay just a little longer then sit down and end it calmly.
“It’s…at home. I forgot to put it on after my shower, that’s all.” There, hopefully that appeased him enough to get off the subject for now.
It apparently did because he resumed drinking his wine and said, “Okay then, how about let’s dive into this lasagna.”
Chapter Fourteen:
“Umm…you smell so damn good…you wearing a new perfume?” David growled in Lexa’s ear as she tried to wash up some dishes before dessert. She tried to push back, her stomach being almost crushed into the counter as she squirmed under his touch.
Damn, she could hardly believe her bad luck. Dinner had gone relatively well so she’d lied and asked him to turn on the television to the show of his choice while she cleaned up, knowing she’d never watch it. She just needed clear her mind and she figured the space apart would give her time to sort out just how she would tell him it was over.
But David had returned quicker than she expected, or wanted. Before she could think, he had his hands all over her again and she was feeling that same stifling, closed in feeling she had the whole time. Yet, it seemed worse now, if that was possible. She wanted to scream, she wanted to escape. She just wanted it all to be finished.
“No, I’m wearing the same stuff I’ve worn many times before..oww…you’re crushing me!” she groaned, trying to finish the last couple of dishes.
“I don’t know…something seems different…more alluring…” he kept his lips pressed at the base of her neck. A sensitive spot, an erogenous zone. But not now, not anymore.
“David, please…we have to talk.” She grabbed the dishtowel and managed to around to him. To hell with the dirty dishes, it was all ending, now.
“Talk?” he asked, exasperated. He’d been patient, he’d been understanding, but it didn’t get him anywhere. There had been plenty of opportunities to cheat on her, to satisfy the sexual urge, but no, he wanted her and only her.
And tonight, he was determined to have her, no matter what.
“Yes, I need to discuss something serious with you. So maybe you could go sit on the couch and I’ll join you?”
“Talk schmalk…” he mimicked her, “sex first, then talk.” He looked down at her, his tone turning serious and it began to make her nervous.
“Damnit, David. I’ve never heard you talk this way before, what the hell is wrong with you?”
“Well, get used to it cause, quite frankly, at this time, I don’t give a shit about what you have to say.”
“You surely don’t mean that!”
“Don’t I? Come on Lexa, you’ve been teasing me and teasing me all evening. Isn’t what this was about, after all? You agreed to come here, you offered to fix me dinner. Your hair is all pinned up fancy, you smell so damn good…what else am I to think?” he kept himself closer, his hand stroking up and down her thigh, slipping under the slit in her dress.
“No, David, that isn’t why I came here. I just wanted to…” she tried to tell him but trying to get him to stop touching her was like wrestling with an octopus.
“Relax, sweetness. We have all night…” He purred at her.
“Stop it, will you!” She harshly pushed against him and freed herself from his grasp. “I came here tonight to tell you it was over!” her voice blurted out breathlessly.
Oh, lord.
Then she grimaced and waited for his reaction.
“I don’t care.”
Her eyes widened. What…?
“Excuse me?” she said to him.
“I don’t care if you end it or not, it doesn’t make a difference. Lexa, you’re mine. The time for games is over, don’t even think of denying me another second.”
What had suddenly gotten into him?
Her heartbeat increased, sweat formed on her forehead as she looked into his eyes and saw them virtually unreadable. “I don’t like your tone, I think I’ll be leaving now…”
But again, David had other ideas.
“Oh, I don’t think so!” He grabbed her, throwing her over his shoulder and he walked out of the kitchen into the living room. “I’ll be damned if you’re leaving here tonight. I’ve waited all damn month for you and by God, if you won’t give it, I’ll take!”
“No!” she tried to scream as he threw her down like a rag doll onto the living room table, shoving the wine bottle, glasses and dessert plates to the floor with a crash. Her head hit the hard wood and she winced at the pain. “Stop this!” But her cry was drowned out by the loud crashing coming from the show he’d chosen on television.
Her thoughts faded, her vision swirled and spiraled out of
control as her mind began to blank out all the physical pain. She came close to succumbing, so terribly
close. Just stop fighting, Lexa, her weary mind told her, stop fighting and it’ll be over quickly…
But, in her hysteria-induced trance, one voice came through.
we are one…
That lone voice that gave her the strength to fight
Erik.
Help me! She found
herself calling out to the voice. She
couldn't fathom why, but something inside her told her it was the right thing
to do.
“David, no!” She cried again as he bit down on her neck, an unrecognizable growling sound emitting from his throat. She started to push at him, kick at him, but it no longer mattered. David had lost all reason and had no intention of stopping. Before she could utter another protest, another plea, his hand was covering her mouth…and his hands were ripping violently at her clothes.
Help me!
I am coming,
Lexa. Fight, I am coming!
The voice gave her a renewed strength and she struggled, fought and squirmed under David’s almost unearthly fierce grasp. A slap to her face, a cry, a backhand…the taste of her own blood….more cries…his hand on the inside of her thigh…
He’s hurting me!
Fight, Lexa!
…kicking…screaming…his body solidly over hers…
I can’t, I can’t!
You have the strength;
just hold on, I am coming!
…another hard kick…running for her life…scrambling to find
something, anything to defend herself….
Erik! Save me!
…a loud crash…
Lexa!
______________________________________________
The soft hissing of the television and the feel of the cool hardwood on Lexa’s cheek made her come to a sudden awareness that she was lying on the floor of the living room. Her black dress was torn and stained with the wine they’d enjoyed earlier. Her neatly pinned up hair was down, lying across her face, matted and wet with sweat. A small drop of blood tickled her cheek as it slid ever so slowly from her mouth to the floor.
What happened? She thought to herself as she tried to will her body to move. She drew a painful breath and in the effort, the floor pressing against her made her feel as if she was barely alive. She finally managed to lift her head, cradling it in her hand to keep herself from reeling and having it hit the floor again. That, she figured, wouldn’t do her any good.
Slowly she rolled onto her side, then took a minute to breathe through the intense pain. No, she was alive, but she’d have more than enough lacerations and bruising to last the next month. She managed enough strength to sit up and lean against the wall; she panted softly, then willed her eyes to focus as she tried to sort out what happened.
He was ripping at her
clothes…his hand gripped her thigh…the sound of multiple slaps against her
face…a sudden pain across her cheek and lip….her hands being held over her
head, him reaching for the zipper of his pants and…
Oh my God, was she raped?
She looked down at herself, assessing the state of her torn dress. Both sleeves were ripped to pieces and the front was gaping half way open. Her bra, which had been savagely removed from her was gone, exposing part of her upper body as the torn gown fell away. She quickly pulled it back up around her tender breasts, shuddering from the pain. But at least, to her relief, she found that her underwear was still intact. At least one part of her was.
So, in my panic, I passed out. She deduced in her head. After all, David was…
Wait. Where was David?
To hell with David, her mind screamed at her, just get the fuck out of there! No telling what he plans to do with you now!
She struggled in an attempt to stand, groaning, whimpering, one hand still holding together the pieces of her torn dress. Her eyes darted around to see in the room that was now only lit by one working lamp.
Then an arm encircled her waist. She let out a scream and instinctively struggled against it. Oh God, it was David, and he certainly wasn’t finished with her yet.
“Mademoiselle.”
The familiar voice caused her to seize her attempt to flee, her breaths now coming in raspy succession, eyes wide, every sense on high alert.
No, it couldn't be…
“Darren?”
He tightened his grip, keeping her steady as he felt her slump against him before carefully lowering from the few inches she’d gained back to the floor. “Yes, Mademoiselle, it is over now, do not be afraid.”
Anything you need, I
am here. Your friend, Darren Ridgeway…
The overwhelming relief she felt, the trust she had for Darren was just too much for her to handle. She let herself collapse in his strong, supportive arms, “Darren, how did you…”
“There is no time for explanations now, Mademoiselle.” He said comfortingly as he removed his trench coat and draped it over her shoulders to cover her exposed upper body, “I did not expect you to wake so soon. I must take you out of here immediately and I shall as soon as I finish my task. Just lay back and try to relax.”
“But, David? Is he gone? Did he leave?”
“Yes, Mademoiselle, he is gone now. He will no longer bother you, that, I promise.”
His grip loosened and she let herself fall back against the wall. She focused her blurry eyes and watched as Darren started walking around the apartment. Watched as he picked up a lamp and sat it back onto the side table, watched him meticulously straighten pillows, pick up pieces of broken glass, set chairs back upright around the dining room table….
…and watched him wipe up a red liquid off the kitchen floor.
Wine? No, they’d finished the bottle of wine. On closer inspection she could see it was deeper, thicker, and it smelled…
Blood.
And not only was it on the kitchen floor, but it was splattered on bottom of the cabinets and had seeped onto the small area rug that Darren was now disposing of in a large garbage bag along with several red stained towels.
What was Darren trying to cover up for her? It just couldn't be. Her mind fought the possibility. No, she wasn’t capable. She’d never hurt anyone. But she was in danger, she would defend herself. What other explanation was there? David was gone, she was there and so was the blood, lots of blood. Oh no…no…
David!
She cried out inaudibly into her hands, fighting to turn away, but she simply couldn't. On her hands and knees, she tried to crawl toward the kitchen, to reach for Darren, to ask him what had happened, but her body hurt so much she gave up and fell again to the floor, going immediately into a fetal position.
Heaven help me, what
have I done?
Then, the images returned.
…running around the
apartment…throwing things at him…ending up in the kitchen…being pushed up
against the sink, the pain of his grip on her hair, the sound of his deep,
lust-filled voice….her hands fumbling, slipping into the dishwater…her fingers
clamped around the knife’s handle…she swung it…a large crash…he…fell…
I’m so sorry, David! She sobbed softly before a comforting
darkness washed over her and she lost consciousness.
_____________________________________________
“Monsieur, get some sleep, please.”
Katrine had tried to get Erik to leave Lexa’s side for the past four hours since Darren had brought her back to Rawdon. She gently wiped Lexa’s forehead with a cool rag, watching her closely as she lay on Erik’s chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her. Her breathing remained stable and calm. She knew he wouldn’t leave her again, not for anything in the world. Yet, he needed rest. The sun was rising and he hadn’t even run, surely the urge must be strong.
She was right, the urge was indeed strong, but for Erik, the urge to stay, to keep Lexa next to him was even stronger. “Leave us, Katrine.” He said softly, taking the rag out of her hand, “You have been here almost as long as I have. Get some sleep.”
“If you are sure, Monsieur. It is almost sunrise; I will rest for an hour or so, then prepare some breakfast. I am sure Mademoiselle will be quite hungry when she awakens.”
“That is fine. Be sure to make some strong coffee for Darren, he will need it after all that he did for her tonight.”
“And all you have done tonight for her as well, Monsieur.” Katrine nodded, then shot a concerned glance at Lexa before leaving.
Leaving him alone, finally…with her. A dangerous risk for a panther, being left alone with his unbonded mate during The Killing Moon.
Dangerous, he mused. It was more dangerous to be without her.
…all you have done
tonight for her as well…
He smirked. Katrine was absolutely right.
Which is why he knew he’d never regret killing David Gramling.
Chapter Fifteen:
You are safe, I have
you now.
The sound of rain pelting against glass, followed by the soft roll of thunder was the first thing Lexa could comprehend as she managed to pry her tear-dried eyes open.
A peaceful warmth momentarily made her forget the pain she was in. Her senses were more alert. She could detect the hint of warm cinnamon, probably tea, mixed with the dampness from the rain and a strange, but alluring muskiness she couldn't immediately identify. Her vision, although a bit blurry from her ordeal, could make out the distinctive amber glow of a fire. It illuminated everything, the dressing table, pictures on the wall, the rocking chair by the window…
Rocking
chair.
The blue walled room. She was back in Rawdon, but for the life of her, she hadn’t the faintest idea how she got there.
She could feel her body, once so cold it hurt down to her bones and overly sensitive from the bruising injuries, now buried under the soft quilted bedcover. Her head, still throbbing with a dull ache from lying against the hard wall was now lying against something softer as well. But strangely enough, it wasn’t a pillow.
You are safe.
She moved slightly and could feel the tickle of hair against her cheek; feel the rise and fall of someone’s steady breathing. Another rush of musk. Arms were now around her. The same strong, comforting arms that she felt the very first night in Rawdon, that held her tight and carefully warmed her frozen body.
No one will hurt you
anymore, I promise.
Erik.
So, not only was she now laying in the blue walled room in Rawdon, but she was lying in Erik Renault’s arms. She’d almost laugh at the irony of it, if she didn’t feel so secure, if it didn’t feel so damned right.
No, in all her imaginings, she didn’t expect to be there. But now that she was, she didn’t want to be anywhere else. “Erik.” She tried to whisper, but she was sure it didn’t even make the air.
A short silence, a shuffle, then, “You slipped up, Mademoiselle.”
She turned her head and looked up at him, the sight of his striking eyes peering down at her, the sound of his voice, his soft, but slightly concerned expression made her heart soar. She’d truly missed him and it wasn’t until that very moment that she realized just how much. The realization could very well bring her to tears.
“Slipped up?”
“That is the first time you have ever called me Erik. I daresay you must be kicking yourself in the ass right now.”
That finally brought a smile to her lips and an even larger one from his. My God, it was his first one! He brushed her hair from her cheek with one finger as he kept his eyes upon her. Even with her scabbed lip, tangled, matted hair and red eyes, she was still the most stunning woman he’d ever seen.
“Are you in pain?” he asked her as he gently ran the pad of his finger over the cut on her lip. She winced slightly, but didn’t dare pull away. “Katrine brought up some cinnamon tea a few minutes ago. The sun has just begun to rise and I think it will be warm enough for a walk later after the rain, if you are up to it.”
Cinnamon tea, of course. A nice walk in the warm sun, it sounded absolutely perfect.
But then that damned reality crept in.
David. No! Her eyes
darted around trying to figure out where her clothes were. She had to leave, she had to get back to
Erik immediately sensed her growing anxiety, “What is wrong, Lexa?”
“I have to go back, I have to…” she started to try and rise up, but her aching body had other ideas, as did Erik’s arms. They never lost their hold.
“No. You must stay and rest, your body has been through a traumatic experience.” He kept her tight to him, stroking her hair.
Traumatic experience? Who gave a shit about what her body had just gone through, she’d just killed a man!
“You don’t understand…I have to…”
“Stop. You do not have to do anything. Darren has taken care of it all.”
She still fought him, undaunted, “But, David…”
“Is no longer any of your concern.”
That finally made her stop and she threw a sharp gaze his way, “Of course he’s my concern, I…”
If The Killing Moon could bring anything to Erik that was worth the suffering, it was the ease at which he could now read Lexa’s thoughts. A wonderfully delicious, albeit potentially risky side effect of the bond that was forming and would surely become even stronger now that she was so close.
His beautiful Lexa, why did she think she’d…? Of course, there was no way Darren would have had time to tell her what had really happened. A sensible choice at such a tense moment.
“You think you killed him? No, my little hellcat.” He couldn't help but purr at her in admiration of her bravery, “You fought him rather valiantly, but the wounds you inflicted were only superficial.”
“So he’s alive…” the tension, the fear and sheer anxiety left her along with her breath. She couldn't fathom how he survived, but she was glad he did. At least now she could have him arrested for almost raping her. Justice could be well served.
Erik stopped, trying to keep his face neutral. No, she didn’t need to know now, not until she was rested and more prepared. “Just know he is out of your life. The rest can be answered later when you are stronger.”
He was glad David Gramling was dead. Glad he’d been the one to do it, but when Lexa learns the truth, will she be as glad? No, he remembered her from her childhood, as she stared into his panther eyes. She loved life and all things in it. He knew she wouldn’t understand or condone his animalistically driven actions. He was sure this would be the wedge that would drive them apart for good. And perhaps, although it would destroy him, it was the best solution for them both.
“Are you alright?” she asked him, noting the apprehension behind his eyes.
Erik nodded, “I am fine, just relieved that he did not hurt you anymore than he did.”
She nodded, then said, “Erik?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“I have not done anything to be thanked for, Lexa.”
Her eyes instantly seemed to clear and shine at him, “Oh, I think you know that’s not true. I heard your voice.”
He gasped, studying the sincere look that had washed over her face. She remembered! “You did?”
“Yes. Certainly, you were the one who sent Darren to help me. I heard you give me encouragement to fight. I do not know how, but I felt you with me, inside my head. And I will never forget it, not as long as I live.”
It was the ‘as long as I live’ that almost undid him. He looked down at her, awestruck, the very gates of heaven opening up for him and it was all he could do to keep from pulling her to him, kissing her, loving her…keeping her.
Damn fairy tale.
No, no matter what, there would be no way he could possibly keep her in Rawdon, not longer than necessary for Darren to ensure that all the mess in Montreal would blow over. Nothing would give him more pleasure than to have her stay with him like this forever, but with The Killing Moon lingering above him, torturing him, he couldn’t possibly allow it.
The knock on the door broke the tension, thankfully.
“Enter.”
“Is she awake, Monsieur? I was on my way to start some breakfast and I thought perhaps….” Katrine stuck her head inside, then smiled when she saw Lexa raise her hand and give a small wave. “Oh, you are awake!”
“Hi, Katrine.”
She came to the bed and grabbed her hand, “I have missed you so much, Mademoiselle!”
“And I’ve missed you.” She gave her a genuine smile, “And what happened to ‘Lexa’?
Katrine threw a glance toward Erik and she instantly knew the answer. Ah yes, always a stickler for protocol.
She nodded back to her, then asked, “How have you been?”
Katrine dismissively waved her hand, “I am of no concern, how are you feeling?”
“Stiff and sore mostly. And kinda pissed.”
“Pissed?” Katrine tried to say, not understanding the meaning. In her strong accent, it came out like peezed and it made both Lexa and Erik chuckle.
“She means angry.” Erik said to Katrine, then looked back to Lexa. “And why would Mademoiselle be…as you say, pissed?”
She smirked up at Erik and replied very firmly, “Because you, Monsieur, haven’t offered me any of that damn tea yet.”
____________________________________________________
“Lexa was most pleased with the selection of clothes and personal items you brought here for her.” Erik told Darren in the office after breakfast. He’d shut and locked the door to keep both Katrine and Lexa’s snooping ears away while they discussed details.
“I am glad she was, although I admit, I was a bit rushed in doing so. I tried not to take so much to be noticed if her apartment was checked.”
“And her friend, Tasha Browning?”
“I send an email, using Mademoiselle’s computer, informing her that she had decided to visit here again and that she would be home in a few days. I also found an address for her employer, Zander Marsh, and I sent a similar email to him.”
“I hope it is enough.”
“I know how to hack into most email accounts, Monsieur and alter the sending date. I made it appears as if Mademoiselle left Sunday morning, long before her date with David Gramling.”
“Excellent.” Erik shook his head. Was there anything this man didn’t know how to do?
I also asked Mademoiselle a few minutes ago if Mademoiselle
Browning knew of her date last night.
She said she did not. Both her and Monsieur Calvert had left Sunday
morning for a trip to
“Where is her cell phone?”
“In your desk drawer, locked up.”
“Good, we do not need her trying to call them and hearing of David’s death.”
“Speaking of…” Darren reached into his briefcase and pulled out a large manila envelope, then handed it to Erik. “Here is the information you requested. I received it yesterday morning, but due to…well, circumstances, I had left it in my briefcase until now. I think you will find it most illuminating. And quite simply, it made my task much easier.”
Erik opened it and removed the contents as he stood at the back window of his office. From that vantage point, he could see Lexa and Katrine standing on the back deck. Both were drinking what appeared to be either coffee or tea and they were chatting animatedly. “Umm…interesting indeed. It appears that David Gramling is not as clean cut as we first thought.”
“Definitely not, Monsieur.”
From the folder, Erik pulled out several papers, “I see here he is a frequent gambler. Horses. His business was audited four times, umm…it appears he has some outstanding IOU’s from some rather high rolling bookies….” He read off the three names listed, recognizing each one. It paid well to keep those kind of people under his belt. “I see here, his father’s death left him the beneficiary of about thirty thousand dollars, then he cashed in his own life insurance policy for another thirty thousand. Well, it is apparent where all the money went.”
“It is quite possible it still was not enough.” Darren shook his head.
Erik sat the folder down on the small table by the window and said, “Please extend my appreciation to your sources for their excellent work, as always. So, tell me what you did after I left.”
“I called in my favor with the police here and while I waited for him to arrive, I covered Gramling’s body with a sheet from his hamper. I also gathered a few towels. My contact arrived approximately twenty minutes later and he said he had checked around and apparently no one had called to complain of any noise or suspicious activity. Together, we put his body into the body bag he brought and he carried him out the fire escape.”
Erik nodded. “You know you are authorized to pay any amount for his diligence and continued silence.”
“Yes, Monsieur, I paid him well to throw some red tape around. Especially after I just told him about the information I had gathered. He said he would make the incident look like a calculated hit. I faxed it over to him from the downtown office about an hour ago so he could submit the information to the press as well. I will pay him extra for that, I am sure you will not mind.”
Of course not. He knew he’d pay a pretty penny to sweep the murder of David Gramling under the proverbial rug, just as he’d done with Olivier Simon eight years ago.
“Once he was gone, I proceeded to straighten up the apartment and eliminate any signs that Mademoiselle had been there. That is when she woke up of course, but by that time, I had finished most of it. I regret that she saw the blood, she fell faint after that. Perhaps it was best, she was in a considerable amount of pain.”
“Yes, and from the shock as well. Apparently she believed she had killed him.”
Darren stiffened, “Oh, Monsieur, I had no idea. I would have told her…”
But Erik just raised his hand, “I know, it is alright, she knows now the injuries she inflicted were not life threatening. Understandable, really. When I came in, she was swinging the knife at him and he had fallen. As he did, he pushed her back and she hit her head. Thankfully, I do not believe she ever saw me. If she had…”
He fell quiet for an agonizing few moments. What if she had seen him come in?
Come in. A soft word for what he’d done.
He’d shifted so fast once he reached Lexa’s fire escape that all that survived it was the trench coat he’d removed beforehand. Her cries, her pleas, her calling out…his name….for the very first time, begging him to save her, was just too much. He’d burst in through the thin window pane next to the back door with such force that it sent glass flying across the living room. He’d seen David leaning over Lexa’s body screaming at her, growling at her to get up. Although Erik could sense she was alive, he could also see what the bastard had done to her. With a roar, he’d torn into David before the man could even blink; clamping his massive jaw around his throat, his sharp claws tearing flesh. He’d taken the man to the floor and ripped open his throat with very little effort, the blood gushing from the wide open wound. He’d sat there panting over the body, almost gleefully watching as the last ounce of life left it. Good thing Darren had come in by that time or God help him, he might have started eating the flesh.
Savage, yes. It was a basal, primal instinct. A panther does not ask questions, does not negotiate, it instinctively destroys that which threatens his mate.
Remorse? None. After the new information he’d just read, he shuddered to think about what kind of life the man would have given her if they had married. So whether Lexa had seen him or not, he still would never be repentant for ridding the earth of David Gramling.
“Monsieur, how will you explain to her what actually happened?” Darren asked him, watching him as he watched Lexa.
‘How’ couldn't even begin to cover it. Erik could only shake his head. “I do not know, Darren, I do not know.”
Chapter Sixteen:
A slow, lazy moan came from Lexa’s throat as she let the steaming hot water soak through and soften her sticky hair. Funny, she mused, how this seemed to be the only water that made her feel so invigorated. She figured it had to be because, somehow, they were pumping the fresh water from the river into the house. It was soft, non-chlorinated and made her feel amazingly clean, just like she did when she swam in the water as a young girl. The soap she had enjoyed before still sat in the soap dish, seemingly unused since her last visit. It smelled of wildflowers and a few other fragrances she couldn't put her finger on, but the combination was nothing she had ever smelled before. No doubt homemade or imported. It didn’t matter; she’d ask Katrine later if she could take a bar of it home with her.
Home. It wasn’t as imperative to get home as it was earlier in the morning after Darren informed her he’d emailed both Tasha and her boss to let them know she would be gone a few days. How thoughtful, she told herself. So thoughtful that he’d do that for her that she didn’t even want to know how he’d hacked into her mail server to do it in the first place. Darren Ridgeway, she was discovering, was a man of many talents. She just left it at that.
Again, she gave a relaxing sigh as she stretched her body out under the water. Of course, a full belly helped her state as well. Cobb salad, her favorite lunch. She wasn’t sure how Erik knew it, but it was just the way she preferred it. No egg, extra bacon and honey mustard dressing on the side. It was not something everyone would know right off, so maybe, she thought, she’d mentioned it to Katrine on her last visit and simply forgot.
Erik looked up so fast from where he was stirring the stew in the slow cooker that he almost burned himself on the steam. No, he wasn’t mistaken, he heard her moan. Not an agonizing moan, but a good one, a content one. That drew an instant smile. He knew she was in the shower. He could hear the water as if he was right there outside the door, or better still, inside with her. Plus, he could not only see her, but could see through her eyes. She was shampooing her hair, the lather gathering on her shoulders, trickling slowly down her stomach and then disappearing between her…
Lexa felt a strange shiver and she turned around, almost knocking over the bottle of shampoo. She peeked out from the shower curtain, feeling as if someone had entered the bathroom and she just hadn’t heard it from the sound of the water around her ears. Probably Katrine, she was supposed to bring her some towels anyway. But, as her eyes looked around, she could clearly see she was still alone. “Jesus, Lexa, you’re cracking up, woman.” She laughed nervously at herself.
Erik felt her sudden edginess and saw as her eyes looked out into the bathroom. He smirked, knowing she was merely trying to process what was happening to her and if he remained quiet, she wouldn’t be startled by his presence and he could leave her mind quietly. She would never know he’d ever been there.
But then again, what fun would that be?
Do not be alarmed…
he let his voice seep ever so smoothly into her mind as he started cutting up
vegetables to add to the stew. No one will walk in on you in the bathroom…
Lexa gasped, then just as quickly stopped. So, that’s what it was…
Erik? How would he know she was alarmed, and in the bathroom? Did he see what she could see as well as speak to her mind? A slow grin grew from ear to ear, are you watching me shower? She pretended to be offended, but didn’t make it terribly convincing.
Erik smiled as well, I
assure you, I was just checking to see if you needed…anything. Anything at all?
She gave a soft laugh that made his heart skip a beat. So,
that’s what you call it? Checking up on
me?
Far easier than
walking all the way upstairs from the kitchen, do you not agree, Lexa?
She didn’t understand any of what she was experiencing, but it truly didn’t concern her at that point. Erik Renault was finally letting his guard down, showing a side she never knew existed, but was overjoyed to discover. If she was lucky, perhaps she’d get to see it more often.
I suppose so. Tell me, what else can you see? She held out her hand in front of her eyes. Can you see that?
Yes, I can see your hand, you are wiggling your fingers…and I daresay you need a manicure. His tone was light and jovial.
She feigned a surprise gasp, followed by a laugh as she
looked down at her feet, her toes barely visible under the lather of the
shampoo that was swirling around the drain.
And that?
Erik just let out a soft chuckle. I see you enjoy pink polish on your toes.
Then, before she knew it, she had let her eyes run up her
leg to her stomach and she heard Erik inhale sharply. She was getting to him again, and God help
her, she loved the power it gave her. Do you see that? Her voice dropped at
least an octave.
His eyes closed shut and he gripped at the counter with his hands. Bloody hell, she was addictive! Yes, I see your stomach. His tone turned more serious, Slightly rounded, a little fairer skinned than the rest of you. I see the water flowing over it and…and… disappearing downward… he finally had to stop himself once he could no longer form words. Surely she wouldn’t continue, wouldn’t look at her…no, please…he couldn't take that.
But her eyes went to the soap now in her hands and when she inhaled, he could smell what she smelled.
Umm…what is this soap? She asked him.
He coughed to gather himself, Wildflower, eucalyptus, patchouli.
A woman in Terrebonne custom makes them with whatever scent you wish. When
you first came here, I had Darren pick it up specifically for you. It matches your own natural…scent …perfectly.
She gave a hum as she started rubbing the soap over her arms. It’s heavenly.
Heavenly? No, heavenly is the view he was getting of her covered in soap, then she…ohh…when the soap washed away….
Lexa…you are teasing me. His voice turned soft and deep, but non-threatening. Christ, how would he be able to survive until dark so he could shift and run?
His words fell upon her like bricks. Teasing. Yes, that was exactly what she was doing. But why, she didn’t know. In truth, although she was drawn to him…oh boy, was she…she barely knew this man. Yet at that moment, all that she cared about was that she wanted to drive him mad, mad to the point where he would run upstairs, burst into the shower and….
And isn’t that what got her into so much trouble last night?
No, no it couldn't happen again! She shuddered and tried to find a way to close herself off from his mind, but she could tell he was still there.
It took no time for Erik to sense the change in his mind. Lexa, what is wrong?
Nothing, I just need
to…
Talk
to me.
Damn him!
No, Erik, could you
just leave my mind now? I…
“Lexa!” Katrine knocked and it shocked both of them. “I have your towels, are you almost finished?”
Erik quickly, but reluctantly, relinquished her mind and the departure made him ache all over. “Bloody hell!” he muttered as he held tight to the counter for support. He didn’t know whether to smack Katrine for her interruption, or to thank her. But he knew something had upset Lexa, something he’d brought out and she tried to block. Perhaps later she could talk about it. Perhaps she could even learn to trust him? Trust him before he’d have to tell her the truth.
_____________________________________________
It didn’t take long for Lexa to dry her hair and throw on a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt once Katrine had finally left her alone.
The poor woman, she was fussing over her so much and making herself crazy trying to ensure Lexa had all she needed that she wasn’t getting any of her work done. She finally was forced to shoo her away so she could finish her chores and not get into any hot water with Erik.
“Are you sure you do not need anything else before I leave?” Katrine had asked as Lexa held the door open for her. “I shall not be but an hour or so, I am just cleaning out the refrigerator and changing some bed linens.”
“No, I’m fine, really. I’ll get dressed and go to the library, maybe find a book.”
“That is a good idea. Just sit and rest, that is best for you.”
“I will. And Katrine?”
“Yes?”
“Where’s Erik and does he happen to have my cell phone? My purse is in here with the rest of my things, but I couldn't find it. I’d like to call and check on work.”
Katrine kept her composure. She knew why Erik didn’t want her calling out and she’d wholeheartedly agreed to let him handle things when the time was right. But, she’d also loved that Lexa had asked about him specifically, “He is in his office, if you need him. And I do believe he has your cell phone, but if I understood correctly, the battery is dead.” She’d lied smoothly.
“Shit. And I don’t have the damn charger.”
“Do not be concerned with work. As Monsieur Ridgeway said, they know you are away for a few days, just consider it a vacation and enjoy yourself.”
Now, a half hour later, Lexa found herself in the library, resting on one of the soft couches, a book of poetry in her lap. She found herself dozing off, lulled by the sound of birds outside and by what appeared to be symphonic music coming from down the hall from Erik’s office. It was tranquil. She was indeed relaxed, comfortable.
And bored silly.
She stood and stretched the sleep out of her limbs before she went to the side door and peeked outside, remembering that Erik had promised her a walk, but had probably forgotten due to work. He was probably on the computer as well. Damn, she almost ached for a computer too so she could check her mail or work on pictures. Yes, peace and quiet was one thing, but this was getting to be too much. There had to be a free computer sitting around unused somewhere other than in Erik’s office. She wouldn’t dare ask to borrow his, he’d probably say no anyway.
She left the library and starting on the first floor, next to the kitchen, she opened one door after another, peeking inside to see if there was another office. Maybe Darren had one of his own, he was certainly there enough.
Closet…umm…laundry room. Another bathroom next to it. Then, she opened a fourth door.
She fumbled for a light switch in the dark and when it turned on, she could see that although this rather small room had no computer, it did have something equally as appealing.
A television.
Of course. It made sense how Erik had seen the news
reports from
“Good!” she walked inside and shut the door behind her so that the light wouldn’t shine into the hallway and cause Katrine to investigate, should she venture that way. At least now she could find something to occupy her brain. A soap opera perhaps, or a game show. What time did Dr. Phil come on?
She sat back with the remote and began to flip through the
channels. Damn, no satellite out there
in the woods. A sports channel, no, too fuzzy. A cooking show? Uh, no. A music channel. The Weather Channel, a bit distorted, but
better than nothing. She propped her feet up on a small stool nearby and
watched the weather being given by a perky blonde whom she didn’t recognize
right away as a regular. No local
segment yet, she snorted irritably.
Really, who cared about the coming hurricane season in the southern
She tried one last station. Local news. Well, at least that was a clearer channel. She joked amusingly to herself that she hoped she wouldn’t see where the police wanted her arrested for assaulting David. She could picture herself a fugitive like David Jansen looking for the one-armed man. She watched just in time to see the sports, which was equally as mind-numbing as the weather. So much so, she was about to give up and try another station when something appeared on the screen that caused her finger to pause on the remote.
David’s picture.
She sat forward, now fixated.
“And again, a recap of our top story.” The newscaster started. “Police have now released the identity of a
body that was pulled out of the shallow waters of the
She gasped, holding her hand over her mouth. David!
“Police were called to the scene this morning by an anonymous tip regarding a body lying along the shore. Although the cause of death is still undetermined, police are not ruling out the possibility of foul play...”
“Foul play? Of course it was foul play!” She screamed at the television. Anger, confusion, all started resurfacing at once. “But he told me…damn him! Why?” It didn’t make sense. Why would Erik lie to her? He must have known she’d killed him and he made Darren clean up the mess.
She suddenly felt very cold inside.
There was no way she could let that happen. How could she possibly live with herself knowing she’d not only killed a man, but that someone else was covering it up?
“No!”
She ran from the room and flew down the hall towards the office. The faster she walked, the angrier she became. “Erik!”
Both Erik and Darren’s heads flew up at the sound of Lexa’s frantic cry.
“Erik!”
The sound of her voice was louder, closer now.
“Erik!!”
“What the hell?” Erik leapt to his feet and started for the door, but Lexa burst in before he could take more than a couple of steps.
“Mademoiselle!” Darren called out to her, but she was wild-eyed and ran straight for Erik. “How dare you, you bastard! You lied to me!”
“Lexa, please take it easy, what are you talking about?” He grabbed her shoulders to try and calm her down, yet his heart sunk. He could feel it, sense it and he knew that she’d discovered the truth. He just didn’t know how.
“You lied, you told me David was
alive! He’s not, he’s dead, I just saw
on the news, they pulled him out of the fuckin’
For a moment, he narrowed his eyes, trying to see where she was pointing, then he cringed. Christ, she’d found the television. He cursed his stupidity for not locking the door himself. He was sure he’d made her comfortable enough that she wouldn’t feel the need to snoop around. What a foolish mistake! Damnit, where was Katrine? Wasn’t she supposed to keep her company?
But he kept his composure, his tone even, “No, Lexa, you said he was alive. I never said it.”
She gripped his arms, clutching to his shirt, “You’re playing with words, you son of a bitch! You sat there and continued to let me believe it, when all along you knew he was dead! How long were you going to keep me here? Make me think I hadn’t committed cold blooded murder?”
“Mademoiselle, please, it is not his fault…” Darren tried to cover, but she ignored him.
Erik shook his head at him and he backed off, then he looked down at Lexa, trying to find a way to pierce her angry eyes, “Please…let me explain…”
She hissed at him, “Yes, Erik. Explain how his body got to the river, because I know I didn’t put it there when I killed him! It was Darren wasn’t it? You got Darren to cover my tracks. How much did you pay the police to cover this up as well? How much?” she stared right at him, but he remained quiet, taken aback by her accusation.
She couldn't take the silence. It was as good as confirmation, but she needed to hear the words. “I said answer me you bastard!” this time her words were accompanied by a very angry slap to Erik’s face.
Darren rushed to pull her off of him, but Erik held up his hand. “No.”
If it were any other person on earth, the slap would have been met by a heated retribution, but not now, not her. Instead, he kept his firm grip on her shoulders, “Yes, I paid them, Lexa. Paid them well to cover it all up. I would gladly pay double, triple to keep you safe. But you are no murderer…you are mistaken, you…if you will simply sit down and calm yourself, I will explain…”
“I am a murderer! And I’m leaving right now to go home and face the police!” she interrupted him, trying to move from his grasp.
“Mademoiselle!” Darren gasped, “Please, do not…”
“Lexa. I will not allow that to happen.” Erik added, his tone deep and insistent.
That stopped her for a few moments. The outward raging died down, but she was still angry and confused, especially about his reactions to her behavior. She’d just yelled accusations in his face, she’d slapped him. Why did he just stand there? Didn’t he feel any emotion?
She couldn't explain it, but she had to show him just how upset she was. She wanted him to feel her body shake, see the anger in her eyes, hear it in her voice.
“Allow? You have some fuckin’ nerve.” She hissed, keeping close to his face.
But Erik could feel her loss of control, he knew. He could feel himself losing more and more of his own control with each and every furious breath he could feel her take. “Lexa, I beg you, do not push me further. Sit down.”
“Why in the hell should I take orders from you?”
Finally, his resolve crumbled. The beast inside took over and before Darren could stop him, he’d gripped her even harder, pulling her dangerously close to his body, his eyes darkening. “You prying, snooping little viper! If it was not for you taking liberties to go into rooms that do not concern you, this would not be happening!” he shook her slightly, “You want the truth? I did not lie when I said you had not killed him. You did not kill that bloody bastard, Lexa!”
Lexa found herself trying to cower, but at the same time, strangely fascinated. His eyes were wide with sudden rage, but she sensed he was more upset than mad, disappointed…even a bit guilt ridden. “Wh..what?”
“He’d ripped your clothing, he’d bitten your flesh, he’d hurt you, he was going to take you for his own! He didn’t deserve to live, to be near you, to touch you!” he panted as his voice slowed. “You did not belong to him, you never did.” He fought to urge to shift with all his might, but he knew he’d have to do it, and soon.
“But, I don’t understand…if I didn’t kill…” Lexa’s voice shook as her words left her, leaving only a pathetic whimper in its place. She stared up at him, her breaths now matching his own ragged pattern.
Then he looked at her and said very carefully, releasing his grip and pushing her from his body, “No, my beautiful Lexa, you did not kill him….”
A single, pained breath, then…
“…I did.”
Chapter Seventeen:
“So, let me get this straight,” Lexa started, as she now sat on the couch in the library a good hour later. After Erik’s shocking revelation, he’d stormed out of his office, leaving Lexa so catatonic that Darren had to practically carry her back.
“Erik came in through the back door from the fire escape after I had cut David in the stomach with the knife….”
Darren, who was sitting in the chair opposite the couch, nodded. He knew it was best to alter some details, details that he surmised, in the end, wouldn’t matter. He knew Erik would never want to have her know he’d killed David as a panther and he felt justified in giving her just what she needed to understand the circumstances and nothing more.
“…and he said, when David fell, he made me hit my head, I got knocked out. And that’s when Erik killed him? Because David had hurt me and he feared for my life.”
“Yes, Mademoiselle, the young man was quite out of control, do you not agree? Surely, you realize just how much danger you were in?”
“Yeah, I definitely know, that’s why I swung that damn knife at him. But I didn’t want him dead, Darren, I just wanted him to stop.”
“Quite understandable. You are a very peaceable woman, Mademoiselle.”
Peeking at Darren, she crooked her head, “Darren, I’ve been here three times now, don’t you think it’s about time you started calling me Lexa? I finally got Katrine to do it, I’d really like it if you did also.”
He turned a bit uncomfortable, “Mademoiselle, it is only out of respect that I…”
“I know, but really…there’s really no need for formality here, not after all you’ve done, right? Don’t you consider me a friend?”
“Well, yes, of course…”
“Then just call me Lexa. Around Erik, you can address me as Mademoiselle, just like Katrine does, if it makes you feel better.”
He nodded, “Very well, Lexa.”
“Good.” She smiled his way and he returned one. “Okay, back to last night…” She paused to take a sip of hot tea that Katrine had brought her and then re-gathered her thoughts, “You came in after Erik had killed David and he left to return here. You cleaned up,” she started counting it out on her fingers, one by one, “put me in my car… drove me to my apartment… left me unconscious while you packed up my things and sent the emails… then drove me back here, again, in my own car….” Out of breath, she fell silent momentarily.
Darren gave an amused shrug, “Yes, that is what happened.”
“In a nutshell.”
“A nutshell.”
She sat down her tea cup and rubbed her palms against her jeans, “You disposed of everything. Knives, the rags, the rug I saw?”
“I did.”
“And no one called the police?”
“No. As you know, he lived in a corner apartment, the one across the hall was vacant and the one next door is an older couple. Andres Ravelle, my contact-after returning from disposing of his body-asked them if they saw or heard anything and they said they only remembered hearing the loud television.”
The television. That damned reality show. World’s Greatest, Most Amazing, Death Defying Car Crashes Ever Caught on Video… or something like that. It was David’s favorite type of show, but she hated it, the noise was deafening. How ironic that it now might ultimately be her saving grace.
“The police will search his apartment. If they find any blood at all, they’ll...”
“They will not find anything.”
“That police friend again.”
“Yes.”
“But you said he was not with the
Darren held up his hand, “He is with the Mounted Police, so please, do not be concerned with that.”
Wow, she thought to herself, Erik Renault had at least one Canadian Mountie in his pocket. No telling how many others of different professions he had at the ready. She was really curious as to how he made such powerful friends and how he paid them off, but then again, perhaps it was best not to know.
She ran her hand through her hair, smoothing it out before twisting a curl around her finger. It didn’t go unnoticed by Darren, “And this information you showed me. I mean…you’re telling me that even if Erik hadn’t killed him, he probably would have been killed by these bookies anyway?”
He tried to be as reassuring as possible, but he knew deep down, nothing he could say would ever help her come to terms with it, not just now, “I would like to say yes absolutely, Lexa, but I cannot. But Monsieur and I are very familiar with the dealings of these particular men. They do not leave outstanding debts. It is quite possible they would have hired someone to kill Monsieur Gramling if the debt had not been paid.”
She shook her head slowly. She knew David lived beyond his means, but never this much. He seemed so perfect, seemed to have it all, but he’d fooled her, probably fooled his friends and family too. Yet, it was obvious he didn’t want to marry her for her money. After all, she had nothing but her life insurance policy and her mother was the beneficiary of that.
“But he loved me, at least he said he did.”
“Perhaps he did, Lexa.”
“God…all I wanted to do was end the relationship. Ever since we’d began seeing each other again this past month, he’d acted so strange. He was always all over me…I mean that’s nothing new…but not only was it way over the top, it was the way it made me feel that I didn’t understand. I felt sick inside, trapped. I’d panic and I had…”
“…the urge to flee, the sheer panic and anxiety, yes, I know...” Darren interrupted, then realized too late his mistake. Erik had told him that he sensed Lexa’s thoughts on a couple of occasions when her emotions ran particularly high. He couldn’t see anything, but he could hear David’s voice, feel her apprehension. He’d confessed that he’d lost control and his own emotions, the ones almost begging her to get away, came through. Erik was sure she could sense some of it, but couldn't process the reason behind it, which is why Darren sometimes saw her trying to escape.
“Yes, that’s exactly how I felt, but how did you know?” she eyed him carefully.
Now was not the time to start telling outright lies, yet now was also not the time to betray Erik’s trust. Since Darren had seen and had witnessed her uneasiness many times, he would confess that, and only that. “Umm…Monsieur had me follow you, two days a week.”
Her eyes widened, the questions pouring out like water, “Two days a week? Since when? And why would Erik bother having you do that in the first place? The way he was with me the night before I left…then he didn’t even say goodbye….”
“He asked me to when you left the last time. I would watch you after you returned home from work and if you went out, just a couple of hours. That is how I saw David’s behavior and I also saw how uncomfortable you became around him, in regards to the advances and demands he made. I reported all this to Monsieur.”
Reported…my God, he
really was spying on me… it made sense, yet opened just as many questions,
questions she hoped Erik would answer in time.
“Okay…” she gave a deep sigh, trying to reconcile everything she’d heard, “that explains why you were there at David’s last night, but why was he?” she asked.
“My last report about David’s increasingly insistent behavior prompted Monsieur to decide he wanted to watch you himself. We had gone to your apartment and found you were not there, so we decided to try David’s and on our way there, Monsieur…” his voice drifted off and he could see by the look on Lexa’s face that she understood.
“Yes, I heard him.”
“That is how he knew you were in trouble. We had just parked in the ally, so we ran for the apartment as fast as we could, unfortunately, when we got there, you had already been….injured.”
A momentary pause, then, “D