Chapter 16
Linda
As I watched Kyle leave, my heart tightened. I couldn’t help but think that I had upset him, but what did he want me to say? Our lives were worlds apart. I just couldn’t see myself being with him in the long term, no matter how much I liked him now. I bit the inside of my lip, listening to the rumble of his motorcycle fade in the distance.
I let the door close behind me as I made my way into the kitchen. My stomach growled so I opened the fridge, looking for something to eat. All my leftovers had spoiled while I was gone. I chucked them in the trash, remembering my experience at Daniel’s house. I tied the trash bag and brought it outside. The night air was chilly against my bare arms as I approached the trash bins. I opened the lid and dropped in the bag with a soft thud. The stench that wafted to my nose was almost enough to make me sick.
I stepped away quickly, covering my nose as I took in deep breaths, trying to clear my airways. Once I had composed myself, I wheeled the bin to the curb so the trash collectors could grab it in the morning. Luckily, I had come home just in time for trash day.
As I was walking back toward my house, a sudden chill crept under my skin, making me shiver. I rubbed my arms, trying to ease away the goosebumps that had formed there. A tree branch snapped nearby and I whipped my head in the direction of the sound. I listened intently, waiting for something more to happen, but all I heard was the quiet of the night. I tried to shrug it off as an overactive imagination, but I couldn’t help the feeling that someone was watching me.
The wind whipped up all around me, playing with the hem of my skirt. It rattled a soda can that had somehow managed to avoid the recycling bin. I bent down to grab it when I felt the overwhelming sense of dread once more. I got up quickly, my eyes surveying the area, but nothing seemed amiss. In the distance, I could hear one of my neighbor’s dogs barking.
Shaking my head, I went back inside and locked the door, feeling a little safer now that I was indoors. Maybe I should have asked Kyle to stick around after all… Again, I shook my head. I didn’t need him to protect me. I could take care of myself.
Walking back into the kitchen, I rummaged through the pantry, eventually finding some canned soup. I poured it into a pot and started to boil it. As I waited, I grabbed my laptop, getting to work on Kyle’s case. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was willing to do it if it meant giving Kyle a fresh start. The more I tried to focus on my work, the more distracted I became. All I could think about was his face just before he left. His eyes had looked hurt and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I was tempted to call him, but it was still too early for that. If I picked up the phone now, I would just look clingy. I would have to wait this one out for a couple of days.
Smelling the soup in the air, I grabbed a wooden spoon and started to stir, taking my time. My thoughts once again wandered to the times we had been together. Never in my life had I felt so good. It was like our bodies were in perfect sync – as if they were made for one another. My thighs quivered at the thought – his handsome body – his tongue on my flesh – his cock rocking my world. Everything about him was absolutely intoxicating. Why then did I keep denying him? Why did I keep avoiding him as if he was the plague? Did I think I was better than him because I was a lawyer and he was just some biker?
I sighed, trying to clear my thoughts, but they kept nagging at me. I felt horrible for making Kyle leave, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I sat down with my bowl of soup, but it just tasted rotten in my mouth. I pushed it away, ignoring my hunger as I migrated to the living room.
I tried to keep working for another hour or so, but it wasn’t going very well. My thoughts kept going back to Kyle. My conflicting emotions raged inside of me, leaving me confused. What was I supposed to do? Stay with Kyle and follow my heart, or push him away and listen to my brain?
I closed my laptop, deciding I needed some time to relax. After all, I was still on vacation. I turned on the TV, flicking through the channels. Outside, the wind rattled against the windows like it wanted to bring my house to the ground. Snuggling into a blanket, I tried to find something good to watch.
Eventually, I settled on an old sitcom. I hadn’t watched this show since I was in high school. As the episode wore on, it became harder and harder for me to stay awake. My eyelids were getting heavy and I was starting to doze off. I wanted to get to the end of the episode, but I couldn’t make it. By the time the credits showed up on the screen, I was already fast asleep.
Almost instantly, Kyle popped up in my dreams. He was wearing nothing but his leather jacket and a pair of acid wash jeans that precariously hung off his hips. I bit my lip in longing as my eyes wandered over his body, taking in his every inch.
I took a step closer and he instantly pulled me close, his fingers tightening around my arms before he slammed me into the wall. In an instant, his lips collided with mine, turning my brain to mush. A fire burned between my legs, making it hard to focus on anything else. Kyle completely dominated my existence as his powerful body took control of mine.
His hand was already slithering down my panties, toying with the little bow. He pulled on it, causing the G-string to sink deeper between my ass cheeks. “Kyle…” I murmured, unable to control the desire that flared inside my chest. This man was too attractive for me to deny. I wanted him. I needed him.
I was about to pull him closer when suddenly, he vanished. I looked around, but I couldn’t see him. A buzzing sound filled my ears and before I knew it, I was on the back of a motorcycle, riding along an interstate. I was all by myself, driving the death machine. My eyes grew wide and I started to panic, the bike swerving out of control until I found myself flying straight for a tree.
I shut my eyes tight, bracing for impact. I was sure that I was about to die. The bike was going so fast and I had absolutely no control over it. The buzzing noise grew louder and louder, drowning out everything else.
Suddenly, I felt someone’s hands on mine, guiding me back toward the road. The bike stabilized and we were once again riding along smoothly. When I looked back, I saw Kyle sitting behind me, a sad look on his face. “You want to push me away… but you can’t live without me.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked, feeling confused.
“You don’t want me to be a part of your life, but you can’t let me go. You need me. Just admit it, Linda.”
My jaw locked at his words. My brain tried to defend the fact that I was an independent, self-sufficient woman, but deep down in my heart, I knew he was telling the truth. My life would be incomplete without him. I had gotten too close too quickly and now, I couldn’t say goodbye.
I was just about to tell him that when I heard a thunderous crash. Looking up, I saw a mangled motorcycle sprawled on the asphalt. Somehow, I had gotten off my own bike and was sprinting down the road, my heart beating so fast that it was hard to think.
As I got closer, I stepped in a puddle. Looking down, my heart dropped when I realized I had stepped in blood. I held my breath as I examined the wreckage, looking for the driver. His dark hair was matted with blood. I did everything I could to free him from the weight of the bike, but I wasn’t strong enough.
“Linda…”
I heard my name and my heart skipped a beat. Tears were forming in my eyes when I realized that the driver was Kyle. His blood was everywhere. I had no idea how he was still alive. “Linda…” He said again. Desperately, I tried to push the bike off his body, but it was hopeless.
“Don’t… don’t say anything. I’m going to get help!” I screamed, getting hysterical at this point. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. There was so much blood. His skin was pale and his leg was twisted underneath him at an unnatural angle. I had to do something to help him. I grabbed his hand, holding it in my lap, praying for a miracle.
His fingers unfurled, revealing his palm. He was holding a crimson rose. As the scene faded away, it was the only thing that remained in focus. I tried desperately to cling onto Kyle’s hand, but he had grown so cold. “Please… Kyle… stay with me…” I begged, but everything just turned to white. It felt like I was falling through space.
I gasped for breath as I jolted into a seated position. There was a cold sweat all over my body and my heart was beating so hard that it felt like it would burst out of my chest at any moment. I leaned forward, my head between my knees, trying to calm myself down. Kyle’s mangled body kept popping up in my mind, making my stomach churn. What if my dream was trying to tell me something? What if Kyle had gotten into a horrible accident and it was all my fault?
I was about to pick up my phone and call him when someone knocked on the door. I jumped, my heart surging into my mouth before I gulped it back down. I stared at the door, wondering who it could be. Maybe it was Kyle… maybe I could finally apologize to him and tell him how I really felt.
I got up quickly, my hand on the doorknob. I thought about looking through the peephole, but I couldn’t be bothered to grab the stool. Before I could open the door, someone knocked again, louder this time. “Police! Open up!” At the sound of the man’s grizzly voice, I stepped back.
Police? What were they doing here? I feared the worst and contemplated not answering the door at all. If I ignored them, they would leave, right? I shook my head, chiding myself for being so foolish. I had done nothing wrong – except break into a building – but there was no way they could know about that. At least I hope so…
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. To my surprise, two men clad in uniform stood there, their arms crossed over their chests. Their guns sparkled in the moonlight, making me shiver. Between them, a sloppily-dressed man smirked at me before he pushed his way past me and into my house as if he owned the place.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?” The man just walked into my living room and sat down.
“Linda, isn’t it? Why don’t you take a seat?”
The two officers pressed their hands into my back, pushing me forward. I stepped away from them. “What are you doing? Don’t touch me.” Their hands moved to their guns like they were about to point them at me. I shivered, thinking this wasn’t normal. I glanced at the door, wondering if I could make a run for it before I convinced myself to remain calm – to remain logical. As long as I didn’t give the police a hard time, there was nothing they could do to me.
I sat down hesitantly, looking at the man that now sat across from me. “What do you want?”
“Patience.” He reclined back with the TV remote in his hand, flicking through the channels. “I’ve been in hiding for way too long. I need to enjoy myself a little.”
“Hiding?” I spat, my eyes growing large. I glanced at the officers and then at the man who looked like he hadn’t showered in weeks. “You’re not Daniel Smith, are you?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
“A fan? How flattering.” He smirked, getting closer to me. With one long, grimy finger, he lifted my chin until I was forced to look into his cold, heartless eyes. “Now, do you want to tell me what you were doing in my apartment with Kyle Johnstone?”
I gulped, the weight of the officers’ stares making me fidget. “Can you tell me why you pinned the murder or Ross McArdle on Kyle when you were the coward who shot him?” I spat, hoping it would rattle him.
He just kept the same cool expression on his face. “Do you hear that boys? She thinks I killed Ross.” The officers laughed, as if on cue.
“What are you doing? This man is a murderer! Arrest him! I have the evidence to prove it too…”
“Do you now? Why don’t you show me what you found? I’d be really interested.” He pushed his hand onto my thigh, making my skin crawl with disgust. I jerked away from him, keeping my distance from all three men.
“Don’t fucking touch me.”
“Now, now, don’t be like that pudding. I’m just trying to play nice. There’s no need for you to get all feisty.” He stepped closer. “But don’t think I don’t know where you have been. The Black Birds aren’t the only ones who have spies. I heard you’ve been with Kyle all week, riding on the back of his bike. Are you his new girl or something?”
I refused to answer. I was looking around for something to protect myself with as he slowly pinned me into the corner. “Stay away from me, I’m warning you.”
“Oh, you think you’re so tough? Is that why you’re a lawyer? Because you think you should be putting bad guys in jail?” He continued to tease me. My cheeks felt like they were on fire. I grabbed a nearby vase, my hands shaking.
“Don’t take another step!” I warned him, but my voice was wavering, giving away my fear. “I swear.”
Daniel chuckled. “You’re cute, you know that? If you think that you can take me down, you have another thing coming.” He snapped his fingers and the two officers stepped forward. “And I doubt that you want to do anything rash with these two men here. It might jeopardize your career.”
“How do I know those men are even real officers?” I asked, looking at them, trying to keep my eyes on all of them at once. I felt vulnerable and trapped, but I wasn’t going to go down without a fight. I tightened my grip on the vase.
“You’ll just have to trust me.” Daniel ran his fingers through his greasy hair before flashing a toothy smile. “Now, maybe you were smart enough to figure out that I really did kill Ross, but I think it’d be best for everyone if you hand over the evidence you found. Now.” He got even closer and I flinched, my back pressed against the wall. “I know you found the gun, and I want it back. Do you hear me, little girl?”
“Rot in hell!” I screamed, suddenly smashing the vase as hard as I could into his head. I gasped when glass cut into my palms with the impact. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion because it took a long time for Daniel to hit the ground, a pool of blood forming underneath his head. Adrenaline rushed through my veins as I feared that maybe I had killed him. One of the officers knelt down beside the fallen man while the other roughly pinned me against the wall.
“Stop! You don’t have to do this!” I struggled against him as he handcuffed me. The metal felt ice-cold against my skin. “Daniel’s the murderer! I was just defending myself. You have to believe me.”
“… Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.” The officer was already reading off my Miranda rights as he towed me to the patrol car outside. I couldn’t believe this was happening. Just a few weeks ago, I had been a successful lawyer, and now I was being shoved into the back of a cruiser.
“Please. You have to listen to me. You have to arrest Daniel or he’s going to go out and kill Kyle – the leader of the Black Birds.” I banged against the window, hoping to get his attention, but he just ignored me, leaving me trapped in the back of the car as he joined his partner. I tried to calm down, but it was impossible. My life had gone from normal to completely insane in a matter of minutes. This couldn’t be happening to me. This was just one cruel nightmare… it had to be.