LAKE

SEVEN MONTHS AGO

 

“So she beat it? That’s great!” Sheldon jumped up to hug me after I delivered the news. On top of Alzheimer’s, my grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. Because she was under strict medical care, it had been caught early on, but that small ray of hope was overshadowed by the aggressive growth of the cancer cells. Rather than get better, she had progressed to stage two in under two years.

When her condition seemed hopeless, Jackson and Keiran secured one of the best doctors in the country to oversee her case. It took a year of treatment, but she was finally cleared of all cancerous cells.

“We’re going to get tears on the seating chart,” I joked to break the emotional tension. We had been going over the last minute details of her wedding in two weeks when I decided to break the news.

“But it’s so worth it. So will she be going back to Red Rock?”

“Actually, no. Aunt Carissa decided it would be better for her to spend time in a rehabilitation center specifically for cancer survivors so she could continue to get the aftercare she needed. There’s a great one just four hours west.”

I noticed Sheldon’s expression fall. I was sure she was thinking the same I had thought at first, so I went on to reassure her the same way my aunt had. “I know it’s further than Red Rock, but it’s for the best.”

“That’s not—fuck—Lake… what is the center called?”

“Summit Rehabilitation for Cancer Survivors. Why? You know the place?”

Her face had completely lost color. “She’s not safe there.”

“What? Why wouldn’t she be?”

“That’s the treatment facility where Mitch is.”

“I don’t understand. John said Mitch was never cured of cancer. Why would he be at a facility for cancer survivors?”

“Because the center isn’t just for survivors. It’s also for cancer patients who have given up on treatment and are waiting to die.”

I didn’t have time to reflect on how horrible the idea of people suffering and waiting to die sounded. I’d just found out my defenseless grandmother was living in the same place with a demented, evil man. My mind was racing with more than one fear, and among them was the most dangerous of them all.

“Keiran doesn’t know about the center where Mitch is, does he?”

“John never wanted him to know, and I assumed Keenan is still honoring his wish. We all know what will happen when he finds out exactly where Mitch is.”

Keiran wouldn’t hesitate to go after Mitch no matter the cost to himself, and protecting my grandmother on my behalf would only be an added push.

“Listen, I need to ensure my grandmother’s safety but Keiran can’t know about it or why.”

“How are you going to explain this to your aunt and keep it from Keiran?”

“I don’t know, but there’s got to be a way. There’s no other rehab center in the entire state. Any other move would be too big. He’d question it.”

“I don’t know, Lake. Are you sure you want to risk lying to him? I think you should tell him.”

“Sheldon, if I tell Keiran where Mitch is, there is no amount of reasoning that will keep him from killing him. He’ll be caught and I’ll lose him forever.”

 

* * *

 

Almost two weeks had passed since I learned where John had been keeping Mitch. I had been uneasy and unable to concentrate entirely on my upcoming finals or duties as maid of honor, but somehow, I managed to fool everyone including my volatile boyfriend.

For two weeks, I planned and prayed for a solution that would keep everyone safe and rid the world of Mitch Masters forever, but I was only ever able to come to one dangerous solution.

“What are you thinking about so hard?”

The sudden gruff sound of Keiran’s sexy morning voice startled me and stirred a rush of new guilt. I had been so deep in my thoughts I hadn’t noticed him awake and watching me. I quickly schooled my features into seductive, playful girlfriend.

“Well…” I left him anticipating my next words as I slid my hand down his bare chest and into his basketball shorts. “I was trying to make the hard decision of whether to taste you…” It was unnoticeable to the untrained eyes, but I witnessed him suck in air at the feeling of my hand wrapping around his cock. “…or ride you.”

“That’s easy. Do both.”

I shivered at the animalistic sound of his voice indicating the change in his body from slumbering to ready-to-fuck. I forced myself to take my eyes from his cock for a quick look at the clock resting behind his head. It showed only thirty minutes until I had to be out of the shower and dressed for class.

“We don’t have time.”

He groaned and shifted his hips. “Don’t do that to me, baby.”

“Do what?” I blinked innocently while giving his hardened cock a tug. I felt it twitch under my palm and smiled.

“Make me want you so fucking bad and then tell me I can’t have you the way I need you.”

“How do you want me?”

He didn’t bother to respond. Instead, he dislodged my hand and rolled me onto my back. He settled in between my thighs and pushed up his shirt I’d worn to bed at the same time I pushed his shorts from his hips. 

“Are you ready?”

“Mhmm… how do you mean?” I decided to torture him a little while longer. I leaned up to run my tongue down his throat and listened for that little intake of breath followed by a groan.

“I mean…” He entered me slowly so I could feel every inch of him. “Is your pussy wet for me?” He stopped once the head of his cock had entered my eager pussy, leaving me the one gasping for more this time.

“Please.” It was all I could manage when the feeling of being filled took over.

“I love when you beg for my dick, baby.” He gave me another intoxicating inch of him. “It makes me want to fuck you hard.”

“Fuck me hard.”

We both seemed to break away from our torturous teasing simultaneously. He pulled back and in one motion, served me his entire length. I was sent gasping and teetering over the edge immediately. The rhythm and pace he set was hard and just what I needed to take my mind away from my troubles. I could do nothing but hold on as he rained love bites all over my neck and breasts while he took me hard and unapologetic.

“Lake… Fuck… Baby.” I couldn’t take the sound of his passionate voice and the sound of our bodies coming together and not come.

I came so fucking hard.

Once I came down from orgasmic bliss, I noticed Keiran had slowed down to a hard grind, now preferring to worship my body. His hands and mouth moved all over me just before he flipped me over on my stomach.

“I can’t let you leave me today and not feel your ass against my dick.”

Oh, my fuck.

His larger body completely covered me until I could feel every muscle and inch of hot flesh against mine. Just the feel of his sweat dripping on me made me want to come again.

“Come with me. I want your pussy squeezing my dick.” A firm slap on my ass followed his order. I felt his fingers run through my hair and make a fist as his pace picked up once more. I threw my ass back, craving the sound of our skin slapping which brought forth a deep growl from him that vibrated down my spine.

Because he couldn’t stop there, his fingers made their way to my throbbing clit, making his plea a reality. I came around him at the very moment he came inside me.

We both collapsed amongst the sheets out of breath. I could feel his breath shudder against my heated skin, and I wanted him again. I looked at the clock hopeful and groaned when I realized I should have been dressed five minutes ago.

I felt his weight shift from me to his side of our bed. He was still silent, so I chanced a look at his face to see him watching me, but it wasn’t a look I would expect after sex. His gaze was hard and suspicious.

“I know I wasn’t what was on your mind. I know when you want me, Lake. Your skin gets so hot and flushed, you nearly take me up in flames with you.” I wanted to argue, but no words smart enough to convince him came to mind. “But do you really want to know why I’m on to you?”

Stupid me, I nodded.

“Because if you were really thinking about your lips around my dick, you would have done it the second you wanted it.”

“I see you have me figured out completely.” There was a bite in my tone even I recognized. Keiran’s eyes narrowed.

“Yeah, I do. We’ll talk about this when you get home.”

He dismissed me, and I wasted no time escaping. But when I reached the entrance to our bathroom, I heard him call my name.

“Yes?”

“We don’t lie to each other. Ever.”

 

* * *

 

I had been on edge all day, dreading going home. Keiran was pissed. It was evident in the way he spoke to me this morning. He didn’t even call or text me in between classes per our usual routine. I felt guilty and spent all day brainstorming how to make it up to him and to avoid the interrogation awaiting me.

I stalled as long as I could after classes were over, but when Keiran did send me a text with a single question mark, I knew it was time to pay the piper. I parked at the curb in front of the modest three bedroom home we rented from a middle-aged couple who decided to live life on the road. It was cheaper than we could have found anywhere else within a reasonable distance of school and Keiran’s office. An added bonus was the guarantee of the place for the next year at least.

“Don’t bitch out. It’s just Keiran.” My attempt at self-confidence fell flat when I remembered that at the moment, he was a pissed off Keiran. He hated being lied to—I had crossed an invisible line and gotten caught.

When I closed the front door, I was greeted with silence. I was sad to admit I expected to be greeted with rage.

Would I ever get over the little slice of fear I still held for him? It had been four years since we’ve been together, and he’d never given me a reason to fear him any longer. How could I admit four years of love didn’t seem long enough to battle ten years of torment? The thought alone was heartbreaking, but to voice it felt like a betrayal.

I heard his footsteps pounding down the stairs, and then he appeared dressed in a plain white long sleeve shirt and dark jeans. I noticed a duffle bag slung over his shoulder and my heart skipped a beat.

He wouldn’t leave me because I told a little white lie, would he?

“Wh—where are you going?”

“Jesse and I have a meeting with a potential client in Texas. They want to meet us face to face and see up front what we’re offering.”

“How long will you be gone? The wedding—”

“I’ll be back in time,” he answered before I could finish. He stood on the bottom step, staring and assessing. I refused to fidget like a scolded child, so I met his stare.

He saw right through me and dropped his duffle. The loud thud rang out, but I refused to give in to my inner coward. When he closed in on me with sure steps, I never faltered even if my common sense was telling me to run. The faster, the better.

“If you want to test me, you better be sure you’re ready for the consequences.”

“Don’t threaten me, Keiran. I’m not your plaything anymore.”

“You should know better by now. I’m going to ask you this once, so think about your answer. Are you hiding something?”

“What makes you think I’m hiding something?”

“You’ve been off. Do I need to be worried?”

I wasn’t about to tell him the truth, so I stuck with a version of it. “I’m worried about finals and my grandmother settling into a new place.”

He searched my face for the longest time, but I was sure he would find nothing. He seemed to realize it too because the next instant, his hands were on my face and his lips took hold of mine. We were moving backward, and then my back was against the wall. His hips moved against me, and I couldn’t help but voice my pleasure for the way he commanded my body.

Sometimes I was sure I hated him as much as I craved him.

“I need to protect you,” he mumbled against my lips. “Can you understand that?”

The only answer I could muster was to whimper. He swallowed it and me whole. I wanted to be consumed by him.

“Pay attention.”

“I can’t. You’re kissing me.”

I shouldn’t have said that. He pulled away from my lips but kept the length of his hard body against mine. Without the drug of his kiss, I was forced to face the raw emotion consuming the gray of his eyes. “I need to trust you.”

“You can.”

“Can I?” I was hurt by the doubt in his gaze but then reminded myself I deserved it.

My nod came slowly as I fought the lump in my throat. What did he want me to do? I needed to protect him as much as he needed to protect me. If our roles were reversed, I had no doubt he would fill my shoes the very way I did.

“Forever, Lake. I’ll love you.”

“Forever,” I whispered back, ignoring the guilt that ate at me for what I planned to do.

When he left, I breathed a little easier because if he had stayed a second longer, he would have broken me. I stood against the wall contemplating if the road I took tomorrow would doom me forever.

Get a grip, Monroe.

How hard could killing one man be?

 

* * *

 

I sent emails to my professors bright and early, excusing my absence, and arrived at the rehabilitation center later that morning. Little sleep and a long drive had done nothing to settle my rattled nerves. All night, I had battled my conscience and the nagging thought that this wouldn’t end well.

Keeping my head low, I made my way to the back exit I’d noticed employees use for a smoke break during my grandmother’s intake. Unfortunately, it was locked from the outside.

Checking to make sure the coast was clear, I ducked behind the dumpster close by and waited. It wasn’t long—twenty-three minutes to be exact—when the first employee burst through the door with a lit cigarette already in hand. He had his phone to his ear cursing whoever was on the line and didn’t see me as I stealthily caught the heavy door and slipped inside.

The smell of the center was similar to Red Rock, so at least, my grandmother had that. I resisted the strong urge to visit her. Her Alzheimer had progressed over the years making her less lucid and less my grandmother each time she saw me. Pictures and other memorabilia no longer helped. It seemed we were destined to lose her one way or another. The part of my heart she held had already broken and was ready to let her go. I only wished I knew which part was selfish.

Brushing off thoughts of my grandmother, I took a deep breath and followed the direction Sheldon reluctantly had given me. When she questioned why I needed to know his room number, I hadn’t known myself, but I stored the information anyway. I only told her it was to keep a safe distance. Over two weeks, I slowly let the idea of what I had to do take root until I couldn’t see any other solution.

Mitch had to die.

Since I entered from a back exit, it wasn’t as easy to find his room, but eventually, I stood in front of room 216. The center was a pretty large one-level building with the dying tucked far away from recovering survivors. This corner was left deserted except for the residents confined to die alone in their rooms. On the other side of the building, I knew nurses and family members roamed.

Here, no one cared.

Those dying were left for dead.

It was only because of the fear of death and the need to avoid it I was able to slip into his room undetected. The room was lit only by a slither of sunlight to keep the room from being completely shadowed by darkness. There were no pictures or memorabilia to overburden the small room. Nothing to testify that the form lying still on the bed meant something to the world. Mitch Masters would leave nothing behind but a legacy of nightmares and greed.

“I knew you would come back for me.”

The voice that traveled from the other side of the room was a far cry from the man who kidnapped and held me for ransom four years ago. He didn’t look capable of killing anyone, much less his son.

“Hello, Mitch.” His head turned to face me, and I knew he was searching my voice out in the dark. I imagined his eyes would be wild with fear and uncertainty.

“Who’s there?” He tried to sound unfazed, but it lacked the luster from four years ago. All I heard was desperation to know who had intruded.

“Or is it Mr. Martin? You favor false identity if I remember correctly.” If I weren’t so alert to my surroundings, I would have missed the way his breath caught.

“Impossible.”

“Oh?”

“Why are you here and not my son? He got you doing his dirty work for him now? Didn’t think he had it him,” he answered before I could. I detected a hint of pride among the malicious intent of his taunt.

“He doesn’t know I’m here.” It was hard to catch, but a smile slowly spread across his withering face.

“Bad mistake, little girl. I admit, I don’t know my son well, but a blind fool could tell he likes control—most of all, of you. You lied to him.”

“I did.”

“I’m flattered.” His voice was bitter when he spoke again. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”

“My presence will be anything but pleasurable for you.”

“My, my, how you’ve grown.” He was smiling again. “He has sunk his claws into you, hasn’t he?”

“This isn’t about me, Mitch.” I felt the pain from my teeth grinding and bit down harder, doing anything to keep him from making me run.

“On the contrary, pet. It has everything to do with you. You’re here, and he doesn’t know it. You snuck away to see me. Do you think my son will give a damn what your purpose is?”

“He won’t find out.”

“He will. I’ve kept eyes on him long enough to know where his obsession lies. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has eyes on you right now. Come here, girl. I’ll make this worth the pain you’ll feel when he finds out you betrayed him.”

But it wasn’t betrayal. I was here to protect him. If not me, it would be Keiran standing in this room. Mitch would already be dead, and Keiran would face the rest of his life in prison if he were caught.

I inched closer to the bed watching Mitch warily. His bloodshot eyes came into clear view as he watched me, too. His skin was pale and too weathered for even his age. He was no longer the strikingly handsome man he once was.

“I hear my brother died.”

“Yes. I’m sure you had something to do with that.” I blinked away tears for John. Tears that Keiran failed to shed for his uncle. I shifted from one foot and then quickly shifted to the other. Each minute that passed, I drew closer to getting caught. I should have already been gone.

“I won’t deny it,” he smugly drawled. I sucked in a breath and hated that he noticed. “Though I regret to inform you my involvement was… indirect.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The man who I’m sure killed John was hired by me for a different job.”

“What job?” He didn’t need to answer, though. I realized the answer as soon as I voiced it and felt rage transform my body. I welcomed it and channeled it to my mind. I needed to go through with this.

“My grandniece.” His eyes sparkled with a sick sense of pride over what he’d done.

“Or your grandchild,” I corrected. Just as quickly, the light in his eyes was extinguished, and he was glaring back at me with the same disdain I showered on him.

“So I’ve heard.”

“You’re pathetic,” I blurted.

“I never asked for him. He is worthless to me! I already had my meal ticket until his whore mother stole it from me.”

“He’s a person. Your son. He’s not the answer to your sick perversion of happiness.”

“You think money is a perversion? Have you ever had millions upon millions, little girl? Anyone would have done what I did if given the chance.”

“Keep telling yourself that. But where has it gotten you? You’re dying, and there’s no amount of money that can change it. Chances are, if you had succeeded, you would have gambled it all away by now, and you’d still be dying.”

“I no longer find the fight you found from dating my son endearing. I’d tread carefully.”

“How did you do it?”

“Do what?”

“Hire three men to kidnap an innocent child with no money?”

“Who says I don’t have money?”

“The string of bad debts trailing you.”

“You shouldn’t listen to gossip, girl. I have money. What I don’t have is enough of it. I don’t have enough to pay all my loans with interest.”

“And you still want to use your son.” I shook my head with barely constrained disgust. “Where did you find those men?”

“As it turns out, there are people who owe me.” His voice took a harder edge despite his frailty.

“Who are they?” The last thing I expected to hear was that there were more people out there who wanted to hurt Keiran.

“That would be telling but not to worry, pet. They aren’t interested in my son. I merely fed their guilt and collected.”

“These people paid you money to hire those men?”

“Not quite.”

“I’m sick of riddles.”

“Then ask the right questions. Did you really think I’d make it easy for you?”

“It doesn’t matter. I didn’t come here for answers. I came for your life.”

“Oh?” Rather than appearing frightened, his lips twisted with amusement. He and I both knew I wasn’t a killer, but I was desperate. I was tired of waiting and wondering when I’d lose Keiran to the grave or prison. “You think I’d let you kill me, girl?”

“You’re weak. You can’t protect yourself and there is no one here to protect you.”

“Or you,” he countered.

“Your henchmen? Vick and Freddy?” I felt my lips curl with disdain as I delivered the blow. “They’re dead. You have no one,” I reiterated slowly.

“And the third? I believe my son hospitalized him, but he isn’t dead. Where is he?” I faltered because what else could I do? Greg was the missing link to John’s death that hadn’t been obvious until now. “Do you know why I am able to die so easily, girl? Because I’ll die knowing my son will eventually lose. He’s got more enemies than men twice his age.”

The truth behind his words caused the well holding my emotions to overflow.  “It’s all your fault,” I gritted. I tasted my tears. They ran freely over my lips and down my chin, escaping into my mouth.

“Maybe.” He shrugged his thin shoulders. “But his temper doesn’t exactly help, does it?”

No, it does not.

“You know what fuels my son’s rage, dear girl?” I didn’t answer, but I didn’t need to because he smiled a deathly smile. “Guilt.”

“He’s got a lot to be guilty for. That’s hardly news.”

“But only one in particular that keeps him awake at night.”

I hated him. I hated the smug look on his face. I hated that he wasn’t already dead. I forced air into my lungs and promised myself I would rectify that soon. But first, I needed to let Mitch inject whatever poison he could into me. The hatred only made this easier.

“You know something.”

“I know that my son isn’t as fucked up as he thinks he is, but I must say, thinking you killed your own mother would do that to you.”

I felt my body shudder violently and didn’t hear anything he might have said after that. Something like a waterfall, or maybe the blood rushing from my veins to my brain had drowned everything out.

“Wait—”

“I haven’t said anything more, my dear.”

“But you did say Keiran thinks he killed his mother. What does that mean?”

“He was only eight and they had already bred him into a killer. Like any slave, Gabriel was willing to do anything to gain his freedom—until that bitch opened her mouth.”

“What did she say?”

“She told him she loved him.”

And to a little boy who’d never experienced a tender touch or loving word...

“I knew the moment he couldn’t do it so...” He shrugged his frail shoulders.

“You killed her.”

A coughing fit prevented him from answering, but I saw it in the sick pleasure in his eyes. He was barely alive and still able to torment anyone in his presence.

“I was standing behind him where he couldn’t see,” he said when his coughing ended. I was disappointed that he hadn’t choked to death sparing me the trouble. “I’m sure he’s questioned it as he got older—wondered if he pulled the trigger. It’s been fifteen years now. A child’s memories are unreliable, and I’m sure with his amount of self-hate, he’s convinced himself he’s guilty.”

“Only because you and those sick fucks did this to him!” I hadn’t realized I had shouted until my voice bounced off the walls and echoed around the room. Mitch lifted a shriveled finger to pale lips mockingly. I didn’t feel my tears anymore, but I knew they were there. For once, I didn’t begrudge them but let them fall freely. I needed the pain.

He took in my face and cackled. “You’ll lose him. It’s only a matter of time.”

I didn’t hear my cry. I didn’t feel my feet move. The knife I had hidden under my shirt dug into the skin of my fist when I gripped the handle, ready to make my move.