THREE
Tiana finally bought the supplies she needed for her art project. She'd spent a lot more time in that art store than she planned. It was hard not to buy everything in sight. She wanted to do all the projects she saw with her class. Her first graders were the sweetest children ever. And they loved doing artwork.
With both pastry boxes under one arm, she struggled to open her front door and keep the bags in the other arm from falling. She could have gone back for a second trip to the car, but who the hell did that? Those second trips were for suckers.
The front door slammed against the wall as she kicked it open, then stopped dead in her tracks, gazing at the mess in her house. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mouth went dry and a scream lodged in her throat.
Furniture was strewn all over. Her beautiful yellow sofas were torn to shreds. There were giant holes on her curtains and her coffee table was broken. There was glass everywhere.
She didn't realize she'd screamed again until someone rushed up next to her.
“Are you okay, Tiana?”
She slowly turned to face her neighbor from across the street, Simon. He was new. Had just moved in a few days ago. Nice guy. He glanced at the house and grabbed her arm and pulled her out.
“What happened to my house?” she said in a cracked voice.
“Stay here,” he said, leading her to the chair on her front porch. “I'll call the police.”
Tiana couldn't think straight. Her mind was stuck on the fact someone had destroyed her home. She sat there, her hands shaking, feeling increasingly cold and didn't know what to do. She couldn't stay there. Not after that.
Glancing down at her fisted hands, she saw a drop of moisture fall on her finger. Then on another. Tears. She wasn't a crier. She never cried. But the frustration that built over the fact some asshole had broken into her home and touched her personal things was just too much to bear.
She didn't know why, but a wild fury heated her from the inside. It was new and totally unexpected. She'd been angry before, but this was...different.
She tried to calm herself. It was surreal. Cops showed up in the blink of an eye. Nobody had seen anything. They asked her a million and one questions. And for a while, everyone was under the impression that Oliver might really be the one behind the break in. Until they found blood in her kitchen. Lots of blood.
More police were called. She sat in a crazy bubble. People came and spoke to her. Her neighbors came to offer comfort. And then Shae showed up.
Shae rushed to give her a hug and pulled a seat next to her. “Tiana?”
Tiana raised her face from looking down at her still fisted hands and met Shae's gaze.
Shae gasped. “What happened? Was it Oliver again?”
She cleared her throat. “I don't know. We were under that impression until they found what looked like a struggle scene in the kitchen. There's blood everywhere.”
“Oh, honey. That's some fucked up shit,” Shae exclaimed and gave her another hug. “You can't stay here tonight. Come stay with me.”
Tiana was already shaking her head before Shae finished. There was danger in the air. Something was coming for her and she didn't want her friend getting hurt.
When another police officer came to ask more questions, Shae got up and dragged the officer a few feet away to answer for her.
Tiana lived a quiet life. She wasn't into the crazy party scene. Not in college and not after. Life had been difficult enough knowing her friends had families and she had nobody. She'd worked and studied damn hard to put herself through school.
Partying wasn't her thing. When she'd been in a relationship, she hadn't been blinded by love or lust. She'd stuck to her guns. A man had to learn to win her over before he got anything from her.
Most of them didn't make an effort. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Ker's number.
“Hi, Tiana,” his voice instantly had that warming effect. She didn't know what it was about him, but he made her feel calm. Like everything was going to be okay.
“Hi, Ker. Sorry to bother you,” she said, clearing her throat again. She was parched. She hadn't had a drink in what felt like forever. It was late in the afternoon and she'd been sitting on her porch far too long.
“You never bother me. What can I do for you?”
“Were you serious?” she asked immediately. “No hidden agendas or anything?”
“About the cabin? Yes, I was serious. I would never offer something with a hidden anything. I could tell you I'd love for you to agree to have dinner with me, but that's got nothing to do with the cabin,” he said softly. “That's just because I think you're a fascinating woman.” He hadn't met her. Never. Not once. And yet, she felt as if they knew each other forever. This was strange. Once he'd told her who he was, she'd gone online and searched out his name. Man, the photos behind that name were coma-inducing.
He was gorgeous. With wavy blonde hair and the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen in her life. Opposites. He was her total opposite. She was dark where he was fair. Her hair was stick straight and black. People often asked if she colored it because under the sun it shone a sapphire blue black.
It was shiny and long and she could say with all certainty her hair was her best feature. It drove men wild. She was a big girl. Lots of curves and milk-chocolate skin. Her eyes were dark, almost black, and it took her a long time to see herself as beautiful. Now, she didn't doubt it, but she didn't boast it.
“Yes, the cabin,” she replied, ignoring his words. “I need to go. Now.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yes. Fine.”
“You don't sound fine,” Ker asked, a deep rumble making his voice thicker. Damn her body for reacting to that sound. “Tell me what's wrong. I can come help. I'll come right now.”
“No!” she said quickly. “No,” much softer. “I'm fine. I just really need a break. Would you mind giving me details on the cabin.”
“I'll send you an email right now. Directions and everything else you might need. I'll also call the caretaker and let them know to stock it and meet you with the keys.”
“I'm going to leave soon. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.”
He'd come to her rescue and hadn't even shown up at her home.
“Don't worry about it. But if you find yourself lonely, or needing company, feel free to call me. I'm more than happy to come and spend time with you.”
Tiana slid her phone into her pocket as a weathered man in a wrinkled jacket walked out of her house onto the porch.
“Ms. Jonas, I’m Detective James Randall.” He pulled a business card from a pocket and handed it to her. “Do you have any idea who could’ve done this?”
“I’m not sure,” Tiana said. Shae nudged her with her elbow. “But I think it was my ex-boyfriend or his goons,” she said, evil eyeing her friend.
“What is his name?” the detective asked.
“Oliver Andrews.”
The man took out a small pad of paper and wrote down the information. “Where can I reach you for further questions?” Tiana gave him her cell number, amazed she could think of it right now. “Do you have someplace to stay tonight?”
Shae jumped in. “Yes, she’s staying with me.”
“That’s good,” he said, handing another card to her friend. “We’ll let you know what we find.”
“Thank you, Detective,” both women said. Yeah, she needed a vacation.