A Dangerous Woman A Rockstar Untamed Story

 

 

Billy Cyprian swayed slightly as he stepped out of Chris’s car and waved goodbye. Chris’s car turned in a swift arc around him, spraying gravel and dirt and sped off. Billy chuckled to himself and started to walk toward the house. Somewhere in his alcohol-fogged brain, he registered that the house was in total darkness. Not even the lamp above the front door was on.

He stopped, frowning, swaying on the spot as he digested this. Unusual. Was Lukia still home? He’d left her there earlier, on the couch, in the sitting room of their huge farmhouse an hour outside Portland. The house, the house they had grown up with their late parents, was on their private land and very secluded.

From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something. The barn’s lamp was on its bright glow a starburst in the inky night. They never went in that barn; he’d planned to convert it into a recording studio but had never got around it, and Lukia hated it, telling him she felt creeped out by the dark building. So, was she in there now? Why the hell would she go into the barn after dark? Confused, he lopped toward it and pulled open the door.

In the gloomy barn, Lukia was sitting on the steps to the hayloft. She didn’t look up.

“Why are you sitting out here all alone?” Billy gripped a beam to steady himself and looked at his sister.

Lukia ignored his question, staring down at her hands.

“Where have you been?” He was taken aback at her tone. Cold. Angry.

“I was at the Teardrop with Chris…Lu, what’s wrong?”

She looked at him, finally. “Cocktails? With Chris? That’s nice.”

Billy reeled back from her sarcastic reply. “Lukia…”

“I tried to call you, I tried to call you all evening.”

Billy was sobering up now. Something was very wrong here. “Lu, tell me why you’re out here in the barn? What’s wrong.”

Lukia stood up and walked towards her brother. As she came into the light, Billy reeled backward. She was covered in blood. “Jesus, Lu…”

He rushed forward to help her, but she flinched away from him. “No. Please don’t touch me.”

Oh god… “Lu?”

“I’m out here because he dragged me out here. He dragged me out here and he beat me and touched me…oh god, oh god…”

Oh no, please not that. Billy felt his heart sink. “We have to call the police. Are you hurt badly?”

Lukia, her face pale, her eyes huge with terror. “No. He slashed at me, but he didn’t mean to kill me. Not tonight.”

Billy helped his sister back into the house, into the kitchen. She was so shell-shocked, so fragile that Billy wondered if he should call an ambulance anyway. She had cuts and slashes on her hands, on her arms. Defense wounds. Billy made her sit down as he balanced his cellphone between his chin and shoulder, and grabbed the first aid kit from the cabinet. He told the police what had happened.

“They’re on their way now, sweetie,” he told his sister. He cleaned the wounds on her arms and hands and dressed them. Lukia was so still, so out of it. Now he could see her properly, he saw her clothes were torn, the buttons on her dress ripped off. No wanting to disturb any evidence, he went to fetch her a blanket.

He passed through the living room and stopped. The French Windows were open, and the room was in disarray. What Billy noticed the most was the thing that made his blood run cold was the writing scrawled on the wall.

Next time, I’m going to kill you, beautiful Lukia…

That was the moment Billy Cyprian threw up.

 

A cheer went up as soon as Evan walked into the F.B.I. field office in Portland.

“Teal! How was Italia?” Dieter Franks, a sleek African-American, clapped him on the back. Franks’ partner, a diabetic named Jim Halfacre, offered Evan a coffee, waving a tub of artificial sweetener despondently. Evan thanked him and enjoyed the wave of noise that swept over the entire office; chatter, shouting, fax machines, phones ringing. Work. He shook his head thinking of the quiet that echoed around Bodhi and Sailor’s farmhouse in Tuscany. He’d stayed a few extra days to help out when Sailor went into early labor on her wedding day.

He’d loved every minute in Italy, but had wanted to return home and get back to work. Looking at the walls and the boards filled up with pictures of murder victims and missing persons, though, he wondered if he’d done the right thing. As if reading his mind, Dieter lowered his voice.

“It’s been bad here, Evan. Really bad.” He sat on the edge of Halfacre’s desk, his handsome face serious, his eyes sad. “Someone’s been killing young women. We’ve had four attacks and murders in the last week alone. The last one, she was just a kid…man, I never want to see that again. Ever. We gotta catch this asshole soon.” He nodded towards the small office at the corner of the room. “Boss is taking it badly.”

Evan knocked on Peter’s door. “Hey, boss.”

Peter Marin looked up, his light blue eyes rimmed with red, with exhaustion, his expression haunted. He smiled at his friend. “Evan, it’s good to see you.”

The walls were lined with photos – the dead women, the scenes of crimes. Evan knew most of them, cold cases and scenes of crimes. He tried not to look at the new ones but couldn’t help himself. The last victim was so young, her lovely face spattered with her own blood, eyes closed. Evan swallowed over the bile that rose in his throat.

“Jesus.”

Peter sighed. “Yeah.”

“So, your investigation…” Evan prompted.

“Is going nowhere,” answered Peter, in resignation. “Four women stabbed to death in the last week and nothing. No suspect, no motive.” He sighed heavily. “If I’m honest, it feels like we’re just waiting for the next one to die, in the vague hope the killer might make a mistake.” He shook his head. “It’s a sick world when things get to that.”

His face was etched with weariness, dark lines across his forehead. Evan watched and listened as Peter talked about the case. It was evident to him that his boss had been deeply affected by the murders - compassion was a trait they both shared - but Evan had never seen him this distressed.

“Pete, just say if you need me to take over on this. Just say the word.”

Pete shook his head. “No, I’m in this now and to be honest, Evan, I don’t want you involved in this one. For all your innate professionalism, you get too involved. I’m saying this as a friend.” He tried to smile at Evan, who nodded.

“No offense taken, but are you sure?”

“One hundred percent. I actually have another, pretty high-profile case for you. You heard of Lukia Fleming?”

Evan shook his head. “Well, she’s an actress, living up here in Oregon. About to make it big in one of the summer blockbusters. Her older brother is Billy Cyprian.”

Cyprian, Evan had heard of – he was touted as the younger version of Bodhi Creed – personally, Evan didn’t see it. Bodhi was pure rock, pure talent – Billy Cyprian was a pretty boy with a decent song-writing team behind him. Not that Evan was biased…much.

“So, what’s up?”

Pete nodded for him to sit. “Late Saturday night, she was attacked and sexually assaulted in a home invasion. The attacker made it pretty clear that next time, he will kill her. Now, usually, this would be a local case, but they’ve kicked it up to us because she’s so high-profile and, well, because the brother is making a stink. Could you go talk to the girl, get some background? I understand there’s also a chance this could be an extortion opportunity – Fleming says her attacker filmed the assault.”

Evan sighed to himself. What it amounted was a babysitting case. Peter half-smiled. “I see what you’re thinking, but Evan, a girl was attacked. Nothing to take lightly. Don’t go in with preconceived ideas because she’s an actress.”

Evan smiled ruefully. “I’ll try not to.” He got up to go, stopping to study the photographs of the latest murder victims. “Jesus. What a world.”

“Evan?”

Peter looked ten years older than he had a year ago, broken-down, a husk of someone who once believed in goodness, of hope, of grace. His voice was an echo of the horror of the dead women.

“I know you, and I know that while you’ll put everything into this Fleming case, you’ll be thinking about this one, coming up with theories. I want you far away from this case. One day you’ll take over from me as the head of this field office, and I don’t want you so jaded that it breaks you. Forget this case, stop thinking about it. Do it for me. Please, Evan. Let it go.”

 

The weather was breaking, at last, the humidity easing. Fat raindrops spattered against the windows of Main Street, the sky a swirl of black, pink and bruise-yellow. Far off storms rumbled around the horizon, a cold breeze kicking up off the water.

Lukia sat in the small coffee shop waiting for the F.B.I. Agent to meet her. It had been three days since she had been attacked and she still felt numb.

And paranoid. Every time someone glanced at her or recognized her, she cringed inside. When it was a man looking at her, she wondered. Was it you?

She hugged her cup of cocoa. Despite the late summer heatwave in Oregon, she felt chilled to the bone. She hadn’t slept since the attack, not trusting anything Billy did to try and make her feel more secure. She didn’t want to be in that house, but with so much of their money tied up in it, she didn’t have a choice.

The attack had happened so suddenly, so viciously that she couldn’t believe it. One second, she was watching a dumb t.v. show, the next, she was being dragged, screaming from the couch to the floor, the knife slashing at her, then, as her attacker became more violent, he’d dragged her out into the barn…

“And assaulted me,” she said to herself in a whisper. She had to keep saying it to herself to believe it.

“Ms. Fleming?”

She looked up into kind hazel eyes and a warm smile in one of the most handsome faces she’d ever seen. The man held his hand out. “Evan Teal, F.B.I. May I join you?”

“Of course. Would you like a drink?”

He grinned. “Clean forgot. Give me a sec, I’ll be right back.”

Lukia studied him as he stood at the counter. He was chatting easily with the baristas as they made his coffee. He was tall, rangy, a good build, with short brown curls. His face was at once kind and gloriously handsome, but Lukia felt so dead inside, she knew she couldn’t appreciate him as a man just yet.

Which, thinking about it, is a good thing, she told herself, the depression creeping over her. It would be really, really sucky timing to meet the man of her dreams right now. Lukia closed her eyes and sighed, waiting for him to return.

 

“Are you alright? I mean, in the circumstances.” Evan frowned as he sat back down at the table. Pete had been right to caution him not to judge; this girl in front of him, despite her fame and her beauty, was broken. Her dark brown hair hung in limp strands around her sweet face, there were violet shadows under her blue eyes, and her olive skin was wan and yellow.

Poor damn kid, Evan thought, his heart going out to her. She looked like she might run away from him at any moment. He’d seen this kind of trauma before, and it never got easier to deal with.

“Ms. Fleming, this has to be hell for you, but would you be able to talk me through what happened?”

Lukia Fleming hunched in on herself as she spoke as if hearing the words aloud, even from herself, would bring another attack. She told him in a monotone what happened, her voice only breaking when she got to the last.

“And do you have any idea of anyone who would wish to harm you? I’m sorry if you’ve had that question ad infinitum over the last few days?”

Lukia gave him a half-smile. “I have, but you’re the only person who’s used Latin, so you’re forgiven. The answer is no. Honestly, my fame is overrated – I’ve been in a few independent films and done some stage plays, but until the publicity for this latest one started, hardly anyone had heard of me. You probably hadn’t heard of me.”

Evan grinned wryly. “Guilty. Sorry.”

His smile was cute. “Don’t be. I only agreed to this big summer blockbuster because my agent harangued me into it. It’s not my thing at all, and I regret doing it. At the moment, I regret acting, at all.”

“Who is your agent?”

“Maurice Winston. He’s down in Los Angeles.”

The name rang a bell with Evan, but he couldn’t drag whatever it was from the back of his brain.

“One question bothers me. Why threaten to kill you next time - and I’m sorry about this - because why not kill you then when you were alone and defenseless?”

Lukia shrugged. “I honestly have no idea. He had a knife, and the opportunity was there. It’s all just so strange.”

Evan nodded, chewing his lip. “Do you think maybe it was done to scare you?”

Lukia smiled sadly. “For what reason? And if so, why attack me? There’s a risk of DNA evidence then.”

“Do you know if…”

“He left none,” Lukia interrupted him, looking away from his searching glance. “He was careful. God.”

She looked like she might throw up and Evan wanted to take her hand, to comfort her, but he had enough sense to know that it would neither be appreciated or appropriate.

“Ms. Fleming?”

She looked up, and he smiled at her. “I want you to know I’m going to do everything to find out who this was and to keep you safe. Now, your home…have you arranged security?”

She nodded. “Billy – that’s my brother – he brought some people my agent recommended. They’ll even have to clear you before you come onto the property.”

“Good, that’s good. Do you feel secure there?”

Lukia hesitated, sighed and shook her head. “I don’t feel safe anywhere.”

Evan’s jaw clenched. “I am sorry about that. Look, I’ll be staying in town, working from the local county sheriff’s office, so I’m just a call away, okay?”

Lukia’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Thank you. Look, I know this must seem like special treatment – after all, millions of women get attacked every year, why should I get an F.B.I agent? I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t apologize. From what you’ve told us, this is a very dangerous man. And we have reason to believe, that there may be more to it than meets the eye.”

Lukia went very still. “What do you mean?”

Evan tried to give a reassuring smile. “You said the attacker filmed the attack? It could be that he intends to blackmail you, or your brother, that the threat to kill you was merely a scare tactic. We’ll be keeping an eye on whether he makes contact and makes any demands.”

Lukia’s body was tense again. “God, really? I’d pay any amount of money for this go away, I really would.”

“Well, we’re not there yet, believe me.” Evan drained his coffee. “Now, would you like me to accompany you home? I could meet the security team.”

Lukia nodded. “Yes, please.”

“And Ms. Fleming?”

“Yes?”

“I want you to start practicing asking for identification.” He smiled kindly, but there was an edge to his voice. He got out his wallet and showed her his F.B.I. credentials. “I could have been anyone.”

Lukia smiled, a little sheepish. “You were testing me.”

Evan nodded. “Next time, I’ll use my outdoor voice.” He grinned to show her he was kidding.

She actually laughed then, her blue eyes a little less sad. “I understand.”

 

Evan followed her car back to the Fleming/Cyprian compound and introduced himself to the security team. Their chief, Vic, shook Evan’s hand. “Glad to meet you, sir. Maybe we can talk about best options?”

Evan nodded and turned to Lukia. “Is that okay with you? I don’t want anything done which isn’t run past Ms. Fleming first. Obviously, if it’s risk critical, then I will have final say, especially if your life is at risk, Ms. Fleming. Agreed?”

Lukia nodded. “Can we agree one thing? My name is Lukia, please call me that. Ms. Fleming sounds like a diva, and I assure you, despite the stories you may hear in the tabloid press, I’m no diva.”

Evan smiled at that. “As you wish…Lukia.”

“And yes, of course, let’s go inside and talk.” Evan Teal had done a good job of making her feel more secure, Lukia pondered, as she went into the house. Billy had arranged for the living room to be cleaned and repainted within twenty-fours of the police giving permission, but she steered away from it anyway and led the two men into her kitchen.

She listened to them talk, occasionally getting up to make more coffee, but she couldn’t help but feel a little better. She had been shocked when Billy had insisted on the F.B.I. getting involved, but now Evan Teal had explained it to her, she knew why. Being attacked and threatened was bad enough, but to think someone might actually make the tape of it public – it made her feel sick.

She studied Evan again, noting the gray at his temples, the lines under his eyes. He was undeniably gorgeous, but, she guessed, maybe a little straight-laced. She could help him loosen up, have fun, make him laugh, maybe – she pushed the thought away. That’s not why he is here. God, her mind was a mess. The assault on her body had been nothing to the effect the violation had had on her psychologically, and she was surprised how deep the hurt went.

She felt the tears coming again and struggled to keep them tamped down. Evan glanced at her.

“Okay, Vic, well, that sounds like a plan. Why don’t we leave Ms. Fleming – Lukia, sorry – alone now so she can get some rest?”

After Vic had gone, Evan put a hand on her shoulder. “You okay?”

She shook her head, unable to speak.

“Here, sit down,” Evan sat opposite her and took her hands. “I think you could use some counseling, sweetheart. I have no doubt you’ve been through hell, but, from now on, I promise it’ll get better. We’ll make it through, okay?”

Lukia gazed at him, this kind, gentle man, and nodded, thanking God silently for Evan Teal. She knew instinctively that she could trust him – goodness radiated from him. She had to admit, she felt a little better knowing he was dealing with her case.

When she’d said goodbye to him, she went back into the house, hovering at the entrance to the living room. She took a step in, then another, then, steeling herself, deliberately walked toward the bookcase.

No, I can’t do it. She backed up and skittered upstairs to her room, angry with herself. Pull yourself together. But when she looked in the mirror, all she could see in her eyes was pain.

 

Evan dumped his bags in the motel room and looked around. The small hotel on the edge of town was clean and functional and so, after a hot shower, Evan took his paperwork, stuffed it in his pocket and headed out to find somewhere to eat. The place Lukia Fleming called home was set along the Columbia River, and had a small town feel he appreciated. She was an enigma, though.

As he settled down and ordered a steak and salad in a small diner, he pulled out his files and read through them. Lukia Fleming, aged twenty-four, Oregon girl born and bred. Her brother Billy Cyprian (neé William Fleming) was older by nearly fifteen years, had been an international superstar for a straight decade now, earning millions but still staying true to his Oregon roots. Lukia was a graduate of Brown and RADA in London, majoring in Drama. She’d been snapped up by agent Maurice Winston – Evan shook his head – where had he heard that name before? – as soon as she graduated and film roles started to be offered to her almost straight away.

Evan studied her photo, obviously taken before the attack. There was a wide-eyed innocence to her, her make-up light and natural, her startling blue eyes her stand-out feature. She is beautiful, Evan said to himself, but there was a darkness to her. Maybe even before the attack, he thought now, looking at that photo. There was something about her expression. He checked the files again. Both parents were dead, killed in a road traffic accident when Lukia was eight years old. God. What that did to a kid…Evan himself had lost his parents early, when he was nineteen, to cancer within three weeks of each other. It had broken him for a time – even now he didn’t really think he was over it.

Evan thought about his step-son, Tim, who he’d helped bring up until he was nine-years-old. Tim was now fifteen, and a brainiac. He lived for science and all things geekery. Right now, he was in Italy with his father, Bodhi, and his step-mother Sailor – who he called Mom now - and their two children, four-year-old Soleil, and the new-born Adamo. They were Evan’s family now; their warm inclusivity had been something he had leaned into when it was offered without hesitation.

He snagged his cell phone. It would be late in Italy, but he knew Bodhi stayed up sometimes. He texted a message to him, and sure enough, it came back.

Hey, dude! We miss you already, especially for the diaper changes. Sailor sends her love – yes, she’s still awake. Woman doesn’t stop. How’s Portland?

Evan grinned. On a case, staying in tiny town on Columbia River. It’s beautiful here. Say, back in your old haunt, L.A., did you ever come across an agent called Maurice Winston?

His cell phone rang almost immediately, and Bodhi was on the other end. They greeted each other warmly then Bodhi’s voice hardened. “Hell yes, I know Maurice Winston. He was my agent once, and Sailor used to work for him. It’s how we met.”

“I take it it didn’t end well?”

“I should have added, Sailor and I met when I stopped Winston from raping her.”

Evan sat up. “What?”

“Yup. The man is a sleazy creep. Has he finally been caught out? Please tell me he has.”

“I don’t know, but you may have just given me a lead. Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome. Now, tell me more about this little town.”

 

A half-hour later, Evan got off the phone. Bodhi had told him more about the machinations of Maurice Winston’s career, and Evan’s instincts were pinging. He would ask Lukia more about her relationship with her agent, that was for sure.

“Hey there, how are you doing?”

Evan looked up and smiled. The town’s sheriff was smiling at him; they had met earlier when Evan went to ask if he could camp out in their office for a while. Teddy Vale was in his late seventies, but Evan could see great knowledge and wisdom in the old blue eyes. A completely white beard and hair made Teddy look as soft as snow, but Evan got the feeling that no-one messed with the sheriff and came out on top. He asked the sheriff to join in and caught the eye of the waitress. “Would you like something to eat, Teddy?”

Teddy took the menu and ordered exactly the same as Evan. The waitress brought them some more beers and Teddy tapped his glass to Evan’s. “Welcome to town. Shame about the circumstances.”

“Indeed. Have you known the Fleming family long?”

Teddy nodded. “All my life. I knew Lu’s grandfather and great-grandfather. Her dad was Simon Fleming.”

The name came to Evan suddenly. “The writer?”

“Yup. He was a strange bird sometimes. Withdrawn, unsociable. Molly, his wife, could not have been more different. She had spirit and kindness. Not that Simon wasn’t kind, he was just quieter than regular folk. He adored Molly and those kids. Very sad, what happened.”

“Road accident.”

Teddy hesitated and then nodded. “That’s the official story, yes.”

Evan’s eyebrows shot up. “The official story?”

Teddy leaned in. “Folks say they saw Molly and Simon arguing about Lukia, the day they died. Simon was upset, Molly got in the car with him to try and calm him down. Whether Simon drove them off the road intentionally? I don’t know.”

Evan chewed this over. “And so, Billy was Lukia’s guardian afterward?”

“Yeah. The kid was distraught, but he stepped up and took care of the girl. He’s a good man.”

Their food arrived then, and they moved onto less serious topics, Teddy telling Evan about the good fishing, Evan telling him about the serial murders in Portland. Over coffee, Evan returned to Lukia Fleming. “Lukia seems…different. Not starry at all.”

Teddy shrugged. “She’s always been a solitary child – must take after her father. You won’t find anyone saying a bad word about her; we’re all very proud.”

“Any idea who would want to hurt her?”

“Crazy fan, I expect. Damn shame what happened but I warned those kids before. They should have got some security a long time ago. You put your face out there in the public and some crazy’s gonna come after you.”

 

“Hey, boo.” Billy stuck his head into Lukia’s bedroom. “I’m turning in. You okay?”

“I’m good. See you in the morning.”

The house was so quiet that Lukia lay on her bed, listening to every small creak and groan. Stop it, she told herself, try and sleep.

But the nightmares wouldn’t stop, and she forced herself awake just after two a.m. shivering and crying. She slipped down to the kitchen and made herself some hot milk, hoping it would soothe her. She missed having someone to hug, to comfort her. Her mother had been dead for sixteen years now and it never ever stopped hurting. I need you, Mom, so bad, right now. Lukia fought back the urge to call Evan Teal. Don’t be ridiculous, you barely know him. But he’d had the same warmth about him that her mom had had. Lukia closed his eyes and conjured Evan up in her mind. Those sleepy, kind hazel eyes, the short brown curls she wanted to tangle her fingers in. She imagined him smiling down at her, then leaning in to brush her lips with his…

What the hell? Lukia’s eyes flew open. No, this is utterly ridiculous. You don’t get a crush on an F.B.I. Agent because he was kind to you…

But it wasn’t just his kindness, was it? It was that hard body, that perfectly symmetrical face, that boyish smile.

“Shut. Up.” She told herself through gritted teeth. She wasn’t that pathetic that she would fall for someone because they were kind.

…was she?

 

At the sheriff’s department, Deputy Damon Jones dropped his paperwork back into the files back into the cabinet. Nothing in them had registered, though, all his thoughts with the beautiful brunette across town. He checked the clock, knowing Lukia always came into town at this time of day for coffee. He went to the window in time to see her truck pull up outside the coffee house across Main Street from the sheriff’s office. He grinned as she jumped down from it and dropped her bag, scrabbling to pick it and immediately tripping over the strap. He watched as she laughed at herself, brushing the dirt from her blue jeans.

“Goofball.” He said softly then started slightly as someone cleared their throat behind him. He turned. Teddy was standing at the door.

“This a good time?”

Damon grinned at his boss. “For you, chief, always.” He motioned for Teddy to sit, offered him some coffee. When they had their drinks, Damon perched on the desk.

“So, what’s up?”

Teddy took a moment, studied him. “Lukia Fleming.”

Damon nodded, couldn’t help but grin. “I knew this was coming.”

Teddy didn’t return his smile. “I’m not joking around. I want to know – “

“What my intentions are?” Damon tried to lighten the atmosphere but quelled under the older man’s stare. “Okay. Serious.” He sat down opposite Teddy. “I love her. Man, you know this. I’ve always loved her. What happened back in college…that was just a young dumbass who fucked up. Not this time.”

“Last time, you weren’t married.” Teddy’s face was set.

Damon blew out a tense breath. “I know it’s not ideal but when Lukia’s ready…”

“This is where I have a problem,” Teddy got up and paced around the room. “The pressure on her. You’re making her responsible for your decision to divorce your wife. I don’t like that.”

“No, “Damon was on his feet now too, his voice pleading, “No, I swear that’s not what I’m doing. I’m leaving Marianne anyway. I should never have married her, she…” His shoulders slumped. “Look I know, I know, how badly I’ve messed things up. When Lukia turned me down the first time, I admit, I married Marianne out of spite. Jesus.” He shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what he was saying.

Teddy was silent for a few moments. “Damon, I’m concerned. She’s fragile right now. She doesn’t need the extra pressure from you.”

Damon leaned forward, his face earnest. “Teddy, she’s alone, and all I want to do is look after her, care for her, love her. She’s all I think about.”

Teddy shifted, moved to the door. “That’s all I want for her too. I know you love her, but Lukia may not feel the same way. I need you to think about that, that’s all I’m saying for now.” Teddy tugged his cap on, nodded to Damon. “I’ll see you later.”

 

Evan heard Teddy leave. From the backroom, he’d heard their conversation, stayed hidden, hadn’t wanted to intrude, he told himself. The truth was, since day one, he’d had a feeling about Damon Jones. Guy was…Evan couldn’t conjure the word. He slipped silently passed the door to the office where Damon was and out onto the street. He stood at the corner of the block considering for a moment, chewing over the hunch he had, deciding that the old police chief was holding out on him. He saw him along Main Street, going into his home. Evan followed him, glancing over to the coffeehouse where he could see Lukia sitting, reading a book. He hoped she would stay there for a while – he needed to talk to her.

It was starting to rain as he knocked at Teddy’s door. Teddy greeted him as he pulled open the door for him.

“Hey, buddy, come on in. Want some coffee?”

Evan stepped in, brushing the raindrops from his hair. “No, no, I just wanted to talk. About Damon Jones.”

Teddy stopped, nodded and sighed. “Yeah, I thought this was coming.”

“He’s in love with Lukia Fleming?”

“Obviously. So, the quiet’s getting to you, you’re bored, and you’re fixating on Damon Jones for something to do.”

Evan choked on his drink. “Man, you don’t pull your punches.”

“I understand. Damon is complicated. Emotional. He’s a good man – not a great cop – but essentially a good man. He’s easily distracted – and he’s preoccupied with Lukia Fleming.”

Evan looked him steadily. “And you’re concerned. I heard your conversation earlier.”

Teddy sighed. “Yes. Damon’s messing with her head right now and I want him to back off.”

“What’s the story there?”

Teddy scratched his head. “They went to the same high school. They dated briefly, went to prom together, were named Homecoming King and Queen. Then Lukia went to college and broke it off -I don’t think she really took the relationship seriously. Damon was heartbroken and got married to Marianne really quickly. Marianne makes artisanal cupcakes flavored with pure bile.”

Evan choked on his coffee at that, wiping his mouth as he laughed. “There’s an image.”

“So, a couple of years ago, when Lukia came back to town after college, Damon started making “friends” with her. Lately, he's ratcheting up his expectations. I don’t think Lukia’s interested.”

“No-one mentioned this to me,” Evan said evenly. “I would think it bears looking into.”

Teddy grinned. “Son, Damon Jones is no more capable of hurting Lukia than I am. He’s all talk.”

“Still.”

Teddy sighed. “Well, I’m not going to stop you talking to him.”

Evan sensed the older man’s hesitation. “You protecting him?”

“Hey, I like the kid. He’s just got to learn when no means no.”

Which is the very definition of sexual assault, Evan thought but kept it to himself.

 

Evan greeted Lukia as he entered the coffee shop. She smiled at him, and for a second, he couldn’t breathe. Her face had lit up when she saw him; he couldn’t remember a time when a woman smiled at him like that.

Remember you’re here to do a job, man. He politely refused Lukia’s offer of coffee. “Actually, I wondered, do you hike?”

She nodded. “I do, but lately, I’ve felt like I couldn’t hike on my own, you know? Even before…”

Evan nodded, understanding. “Feel like walking with me? I find the best ideas come from exercise and talking.”

Lukia got up. “That actually sounds fantastic. Mind if we stop at mine so I can change shoes?”

“Let’s do it.”

 

An hour later, they were starting out along the Columbia River Gorge trail. Evan tried not to notice that Lukia’s t-shirt clung to her curves or that the brisk air of the mountains brought a flush to her cheeks.

“How are you doing, Lukia?” He asked, genuinely wanting to know the answer. He hated the haunted look in this woman’s eyes, but she smiled at him now.

“Better, thanks. I actually slept for a couple of hours last night. I think I have you to thank for that; in a few hours, you made me feel much more secure so thank you.”

Evan frowned. “What about your brother? Surely he’s there for you?”

Lukia nodded. “Oh, he is, but he’s also stuck in the recording studio as well, trying to get his new album done before the deadline. Billy is good at some things, but meeting deadlines isn’t one of them. He always leaves things until the last minute.”

“Gotcha.” Privately, Evan would have said “Screw the deadline, my sister needs me, ” but Lukia nudged his shoulder with her, guessing his thoughts.

“I know what you’re thinking, but it was my idea. I’m not going to let this thing encroach any more on our lives than it has to.”

Evan nodded and changed the subject. “So, tell me about Damon Jones.”

Lukia chuckled but rolled her eyes. “Damon is a friend. Yes, I know he’d like to be more, but I have made it clear to him that’s never going to happen.”

Evan looked at her closely. “How clear have you made it?”

“Not clear enough, it seems.” Lukia shook her head. “Listen, Damon lives in a dream world, sometimes, where if I even have a conversation with him then it’s true love. I have told him, repeatedly, that I’m not interested in him like that. He says he’s going to get a divorce anyway.”

“Hmm.”

Lukia studied him, stopping to catch her breath. “Evan, Damon couldn’t attack me, it isn’t in him. He’s a crazy romantic, yes, but not a criminal.”

“I have to look at everyone.”

Lukia sighed. “I know.” And they started walking again.

“One thing I wanted to ask you…you’ve chosen to keep it out of the press. Why is that?”

Lukia hesitated before answering. “Because I don’t want the publicity, the sympathy which quickly turns to people on the internet turning nasty. You might have noticed, I don’t have Twitter or Instagram. I value my privacy too much. I would feel humiliated.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“I know, but still…”

Evan stopped her with a touch on her arm. “What is it, Lukia? What’s your darkness? It’s more than just what happened at the weekend, isn’t it?”

He watched her eyes fill with tears, and she looked away from him. “Please don’t ask me that, Evan. Please.”

“It might help me find out who…”

“It wouldn’t. Please…” Her voice broke, and she looked so distressed that Evan forgot his job and wrapped his arms around her as she silently wept. Lukia’s arms were tight around him, and they stood for several minutes like that as she sobbed everything out. When her sobs came to a shuddering stop, she looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”

“It’s okay, lovely girl,” Evan said softly. He couldn’t look away from her, and when she pressed her lips to his, he didn’t resist at first, then gently moved away.

“Lukia, we can’t.”

She nodded sadly. “I know. I’m sorry.”

Evan couldn’t resist stroking her cheek. “If I lost focus and something happened to you? I won’t let that happen.”

Lukia nodded and stepped away from him, smiling a little. “I know. Sorry, it’s just…it seemed the most natural thing to do.”

Evan nodded. “I felt it too. I just can’t…while I’m protecting you.”

Lukia nodded towards the trail. “I know,” she repeated, “let’s keep walking.”

 

Later, back at the sheriff’s office, Evan typed up his notes, trying not to think about that kiss. He hadn’t been so attracted to a woman since…god, he couldn’t remember, but he was a professional, and as he told Lukia, if he was distracted, she could end up dead. The thought filled him with horror.

He had three leads to follow now, two were obvious – Maurice Winston and Damon Jones - but the third would require him to tread very, very carefully.

Billy Cyprian. Lukia’s brother.

It was nothing more than gut instinct at this point, but Evan wanted to know more about his relationship with his sister. His career had been affected by his parent’s death, and Evan had already discovered he went through a drink-and-drugs phase – luckily after Lukia had turned eighteen. He wondered if Billy harbored resentment towards his sister for being the cause of the argument which led to the fatal car crash that killed his parents. It was tentative, but it could happen.

He put a call in the Portland field office and his assistant back there, Roscoe, who had been checking into Lukia’s fans, and possible stalkers. Roscoe told him nothing had pinged.

“Oh, there’s the usual people on the internet professing their love, making Tumblr pages dedicated to Lukia Fleming, but nothing that struck us a disturbing.”

Evan thanked Roscoe and hung up, feeling relieved. If Lukia’s attacker were someone close to her, it would make his job easier.

At eight p.m., he headed back to his motel, tired but hopeful. He grabbed a sandwich from a snack vending machine and pushed his way into his motel room.

The first blow hit him on the back of his head, and purely out of shock, he went down. His attacker launched himself at Evan, and the two men struggled before the assailant landed a flurry of knockout punches on his face. Evan was a big man, but given the surprise attack, he was outpunched.

He heard his attacker hiss. “Stay away from her…”

Eventually, as Evan hovered on the edge of consciousness, his attacker left suddenly, leaving Evan bleeding on the floor of his room.

Evan laid there for several minutes trying to fight unconsciousness. He heard voices outside and then a voice he recognized.

“Jesus Christ, kid, what the hell happened here?”

Teddy Vale crouched over Evan, who opened an eye painfully. “Got jumped.”

He tried to get up, but Teddy gently pushed him back down. “Stay where you are, Teal, we’ll get the paramedics.”

“There’s no need.” But Evan gave up arguing as Teddy was apparently intent on getting him to the hospital.

 

At the small local emergency room, they gave him a CT scan. Evan was starting to feel like himself again as he was wheeled out of the room.

“Wouldn’t have thought a little place like this would have been able to afford a CT scanner.”

The radiologist smiled at him. “Courtesy of Lukia Fleming and Billy Cyprian. It’s no exaggeration to say that they have given a lot to this town.”

His CT was clear and after an hour, and after his wounds were taken care of, Evan discharged himself. Teddy drove him back to his motel room. “Look, kid…I’d relocate. I’d offer you my couch, but a tall guy like you wouldn’t fit.”

Evan smiled at his friend gratefully. “Thanks, Teddy, I’ll figure something out.”

“You take care, now.”

Evan’s cell phone rang at the same time as Teddy’s and both men looked alarmed. “Shit,” Teddy spat out.

“I’ll meet you there,” said Evan already on the way to his car.

It was Lukia.

 

She opened the door and ran into Evan’s arms, sobbing hysterically. Evan managed to get Lukia inside, Teddy behind him, but she was so upset that eventually he had to pick her up and carry her into the kitchen. Teddy hovered, looking uncomfortable as Lukia sobbed, her face buried in Evan’s chest. His shirt was still covered in blood, but she didn’t notice.

“Sweetheart? Lukia, take a breath, come on now…”

Behind him, Billy Cyprian came into the room, carrying an open laptop, his face grim. He gave Evan a strange look as he noticed his arms around his sister. Billy put the laptop down and without a word, showed Evan and Teddy exactly why Lukia was so upset. On the screen, although certain parts were blurred out, was the video tape of Lukia’s attack. Even with the sound turned down, it was horrifying to watch, and Evan felt sick to his stomach. His arms tightened around Lukia subconsciously.

“What I want to know more than anything,” said Billy in a low, dangerous voice, “Is how the fuck the tabloid sites got hold of it, and why the fuck would they show it? They must know it’s a crime?”

Lukia pulled away from Evan finally, her lovely face filled with pain and humiliation. “Because it’s only a woman being attacked after all. It happens every day, after all, no biggie. And I’m an actress, so naturally, I’m a whore who’s asking for it anyway.” Her voice was gravelly but full of rage and anger and sarcasm. Billy put a hand on his sister’s head, and Evan saw the pain reflected his eyes too.

“I’m so sorry, Boo,” Billy said, his voice breaking, “I would pay anything for this not to have happened.” He looked at Evan, a note of hardness in his voice. “What’s your next move, Agent?”

“The only good thing to come out of this is that if these sites paid for the footage, then there’s a money trail, no matter how hard they try to hide it, and I’ll threaten them with prosecution if they try to block us in any way. As horrifying as this is, it’s also the attacker’s’s first mistake. He’s stuck his head out of the rabbit hole – and I’m going to take it off.”

 

Later, when Lukia had calmed down, and Billy was outside talking to Teddy, Lukia touched Evan’s bruised face. “What happened?”

Evan smiled wryly. “Got jumped in my motel room. Someone doesn’t want me near you.”

Lukia looked angry. “Fuck them. Fuck them all, Evan, I mean it, I’m so tired of all of this.” She dropped her face in her hands for a moment before looking up. “You must stay here. We have all the room in the world…you must stay here. Billy, tell him, he can stay here as long as he’s working on this case.”

Billy had entered the kitchen behind them, but he held up a finger as he was chatting urgently on his cell phone. They waited until he had hung up. He looked at his sister questioningly.

“Sorry, Boo, what was that?”

“Have you seen Evan’s bruises? Someone attacked him at his motel. I said he should stay here. We have the room.”

“I’m not sure that would appropriate,” Evan interjected before Billy could answer, but Lukia’s brother nodded.

“I would appreciate it if you would consider it, Evan. I have work commitments for the next three days, and I have to fulfil them. I would feel better – and I know Lukia would be more secure – if you would stay.” His attitude had softened since earlier.

Evan sighed. He really didn’t have a choice, did he? “Okay. Thank you.”

Lukia got up. “I’ll go set up a room for you.”

Evan caught her hand. “Please, don’t go to any extra trouble.”

“Nonsense,” she smiled at him, calm now after the trauma of earlier. Evan could see the relief in her eyes that he was staying. She left the room, and Billy took her seat, eyeing Evan’s injuries.

“You know who did that?”

Evan shook his head. “Honestly, it’s the last thing on my mind, Billy. When I find out who attacked Lukia, I’ll get my answer, and I won’t stop until I uncover who’s behind this. Whoever it is.”

He met Billy’s gaze steadily, and Billy didn’t look away. “Good. Look, I wish I didn’t have to go away, but Lukia would be the first person to tell me not to give in to this nonsense. Not that I’m underplaying what happened to my sister; believe me, I could kill the asshole who attacked her.”

Evan nodded, contemplating the young man in front of him. “You always been close to Lukia?”

Billy grinned. “Been talking to Teddy, have you?”

Evan gave a chuckle. “I have to ask.”

Billy nodded. “Fair enough. I was twenty-three when my mom and dad died and on tour. I’d been home just before my tour started and noticed Dad was acting strangely. Mom talked to me one day, out of desperation I think. He’d got it into his head that Lukia wasn’t his. Absolutely no trigger for it – Mom couldn’t have had an affair, she wouldn’t have had time, besides the fact that she adored my Dad. She was devastated that he would think that and begged him to seek help from a mental health professional. He got angry, stalked out, she followed him…and he crashed the car. We’ll never know if it was intentional.”

He rubbed his eyes. “He was sick, is all. And to proud and too weak to seek help. It wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t my Mom’s fault and it sure as hell wasn’t Lukia’s fault.”

Evan nodded. He could tell Billy was genuine, it was in all of his words, his mannerisms. “You have any ideas who could have done this?”

Billy sighed. “Man…I wish I did.”

“What do you think of Damon Jones?”

Billy rolled his eyes. “Dude can’t take a hint, but he’s harmless.”

Evan sighed. The pain from his beating was beginning to get to him now, and he was tired and hungry. Billy got up and went to the cabinet, grabbing a bottle of aspirin, obviously guessing what Evan was thinking. The Fleming siblings had an uncanny way like that. Billy gave the bottle to Evan, filling a glass of water. “Dude, why don’t you hunker down here tonight, get some sleep? Get your stuff in the morning. We can order some pizza in if you’re hungry.”

“Already done,” Lukia came back into the kitchen. She smiled at Evan. “I didn’t know if you’re a vegetarian, so I took a risk and got a few different kinds. We’ve got some beers in the cooler. How does that sound?”

And Evan couldn’t think of anything that sounded better.

 

He woke in the morning, feeling rested and a whole lot better. He saw Lukia had put some towels on the end of his bed and went take a shower in the en-suite. The feeling of the water hitting his sore, still-blood-soaked body was heaven. He shrugged back into his clothes and went downstairs.

Lukia and Billy were in the kitchen, singing along to the radio and Evan watched them for a while, making breakfast, obviously a time that they enjoyed each other’s company. Lukia saw him and grinned. “Hey, you’re up. Did you sleep okay?”

“Like a baby, thanks.” He smiled at her. She looked happier than yesterday, but still, he could see the strain on her beautiful face. She held his gaze a beat too long, and Evan couldn’t help but gaze back at her. God, she was lovely.

“Maurice Winston called Lukia earlier,” Billy said, oblivious to the tension between Eva and his sister. “He’s coming up to see her tomorrow. Went through a whole “God, I’m sorry this happened” spiel but I know men like him. He’ll be looking for an angle to make more money out of this.”

Evan made a disgusted noise. “I’ve heard bad things about him,” he confessed and told them about Bodhi and Sailor. Lukia looked sick.

“God. You don’t think he could have had anything to do with this, do you?”

“The truth is, I don’t know,” Evan said, “But I’ll certainly be asking him a lot of questions.”

“I’m glad you’ll be here with me,” Lukia admitted, “I’ve never liked hm. Look, guys, can I tell you something I’ve been thinking about?”

“Sure, Boo, go for it.”

Lukia looked at her brother, hesitating. “I don’t want to act anymore. I don’t want to be in the public eye. I thought I could do it, but it’s just not me. I want to write. I want to go back to college, get my Master’s degree. I could do it, my name isn’t so well known that in a couple of years no-one will remember.”

“Unlikely,” said Billy skeptically, and Evan agreed silently. No-one who knew Lukia would be able to forget her; she was a magnet. Billy sighed. “But it really is your decision; you know I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

Lukia smiled at him, then turned to Evan, raising her eyebrows, prompting his answer. “It’s really not my business,” he said a little uncomfortably. “I have no idea about that world.” Something pinged in his mind. “But, maybe you could talk to Bodhi. He’s just retired, moved to Italy with Sailor and their kids. He might tell you the pros and cons, although,” and he laughed, “I doubt Bodhi will tell you anything negative. He loves his life now. But, Lukia, he had a full career first. The only advice I can give you is go with your gut.”

Lukia nodded, thoughtfully and Billy smiled. “And with that, kids, I have to go.” He got up and kissed the top of Lukia’s head and clapped Evan on the back. “Glad you’re here, dude, I’ll sleep easier. Stay strong, sis.” And he was gone.

Lukia smiled at Evan. “What are your plans today?”

“Well, I need to go get my stuff, then check in with Teddy. Then, get some work done – hey, is there somewhere I can set up my laptop and work where I won’t be in your way?”

She nodded. “Of course, I’ll show you the study.”

The study was light and airy, with plenty of power points for his computers and phone. “Anything you want, just ask. Help yourself to food, drink, whatever. Actually, look, there’s a mini fridge in here too. I’ll get some water and soda for it.”

Evan had noticed that Lukia loved to look after people and said so. She grinned wryly. “Don’t tell the Sisterhood, but yeah, I’m like my Mom, I like playing house. Sometimes,” she added with a laugh, “I figure it’s the least I could do after Billy looked after me all those years. I am a home body, I have to say. If I didn’t have to leave the house at all, it would suit me fine.”

“Except to go to college,” Evan prompted, and she smiled.

“Except then. Am I crazy to think I can change my life entirely?”

“No,” Evan said, “I think you, Lukia, could do anything you wanted.”

Lukia smiled shyly. “Thank you.” The tension was back between them, and it was all Evan could do not to stroke his hand down her face and take her in his arms. Lukia stepped a little closer, and he caught the fresh, clean scent of her skin.

God, help me…

His arms moved as if he wasn’t in control of them, slid around her waist and pulled her close. Lukia tilted her head up, and he pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was sweet, long and Evan closed his eyes and lost himself in it.

Inside, his professionalism and sense were losing the battle, and when Lukia took his hand and led him up the stairs, Evan pushed every other thought from his mind.

In her bedroom, Lukia pulled her dress over her head in one move, and Evan felt his cock respond to the sight of her beautiful body. Full breasts, small waist, a soft belly that was curved slightly outward…smooth, smooth skin, marred only by the healing wounds from her attack. Evan was lost. As Lukia unbuttoned his shirt, Evan’s hands caressed her breasts, swiftly unclasping her bra, so they feel, plump and soft into his hands. He bent his head to take a nipple into his mouth, heard her gasp, felt her fingers stroking up and down his back.

“God, Lukia,” he groaned, and she pulled him down onto the bed, kicking off her panties, tugging his jeans off, and hitching her legs around his waist.

“Don’t wait, Evan, please, I want you, I need you.” Her whisper, soft but urgent made his cock quiver in its need to be inside her, and when he entered her, they both moaned at the feel of it.

“Lukia, Lukia…” They moved together slowly, tentatively, gazing at the other, trying to figure out how the other was feeling, but soon, they moved in harmony, Evan admiring the way her body undulated beneath him as he thrust deeper and deeper.

Lukia threw her head back and gave a cry as she came, her thighs tightening around his waist. Evan groaned and buried his head in her neck as he reached his peak, his lips against her throat.

For a second, neither said anything, then as Evan met her gaze, Lukia smiled at him with tears in her eyes. She began to laugh, and the sound was so infectious that so did Evan. He lay by her side.

“God, that was so unprofessional.”

“But so worth it,” she kissed him and snuggled into his arms.

“Absolutely worth it, beautiful.” And in his heart, Evan couldn’t feel regretful about what had happened; it had almost seemed inevitable. “Are you okay? I mean, after everything you’ve been through?”

Lukia nodded. “I am, I really am. I know it’s been, what a few days, but I felt a connection to you immediately, Evan. I can’t explain it.”

And Evan understood – this fragile, vulnerable woman in his arms was under his protection, he couldn’t forget that, but there was something so familiar about her as if he’d been waiting for her all his life.

He stroked her hair as she laid her head on his chest. “Lukia, more than anything I want to protect you, so we can’t let whatever is happening between us distract from that.”

“I agree,” she grinned up at him, “No way can I do this if I’m dead.”

Evan winced at the thought. “Don’t say that. That’s not going to happen.”

Lukia kissed him. “I trust you.”

Evan touched his forehead to hers. “Lukia, what happened here…it must stay between us if I’m to protect you. If my superiors knew…”

“It’s just ours,” she said fiercely. “Ours. You and me. We don’t need to tell anyone.”

Evan sighed and stroked her face. “You’re so beautiful it hurts,” he said simply, and she pulled a face, crossing her eyes, making him laugh.

“Goofball.”

“You know it.”

Evan glanced at his watch regretfully. It was still before ten a.m. “I really do need to get to work.”

 

He worked steadily during the morning, placing calls to his field office, getting Roscoe to start some background checks and surveillance on Maurice Winston and Damon Jones. At lunch, Lukia called him to eat, having prepared a salmon salad for them both.

It was light and delicious, and Evan thanked her. She responded by kissing him lightly on the lips. “Thank you. One thing I definitely won’t miss about acting is having to eat air.”

Evan laughed. “Yeah, I could never figure out how you actors stayed so thin. Now I know.”

Lukia grinned. “Life is too short. I’m doing steaks for us tonight, with all the fixings.”

“Damn, that sounds good.”

 

Later, he went to find her. Lukia was outside on the porch, reading something on her laptop. “Hey, you.”

She looked up and smiled. “Hey, how’s the case going? Maurice is making the most of it, as we thought he might. Asshole.”

She showed him the site she was reading. Evan quickly read through the report, his smile fading. God, Maurice Winston was the worst kind of person, exploiting Lukia’s attack for all it was worth, giving false information, almost reveling in his client’s pain.

“This is probably his revenge for me not doing more banal blockbusters and earning him more money. Think how he’s going to react when I tell him I’m out?” Lukia’s smile was grim “Evan, I think I should do either a press conference or an interview – a final interview, telling the truth, my side. I’ve been thinking – the money I make from the film that’s coming out, I’m going to donate it to an attack crisis charity. If Maurice thinks he’s going to make himself rich at my expense, he’s wrong.”

Evan sat down next to her, considering what she said. “I understand you wanting to get out in front of this. I have some reservations. One, if Maurice did engineer this, then he might react in a way we don’t expect. From what Sailor told me about him, he can get violent.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. He personally has never been violent with me, but there has always been an implied…threat is the best way to put it. If I didn’t go along with what he planned. I ignored it, but it was always there. I just assumed that’s how the world worked.”

Evan shook his head. “God, that’s so messed up.”

“Right? I’m just figuring that out.” Lukia looked so young at that moment that Evan couldn’t help but take her hand.

“Lu, that’s not how you’re going to live from now on, I swear.”

She smiled at him. “I’m right there with you. Enough is enough. You said you have some reservations? What are the others?”

“A press conference can be edited by the news people. Well, any video can be, I know, but if you get your unedited version out there first, then it’s harder for them to do it. The fewer people get their hands on it before release, the better. If you want to do it, do it through your YouTube site or something like that.”

Lukia nodded slowly. “That’s a good idea…will you help me?”

He stroked his hand down her hair. “Of course. Now, I have to go to talk to Teddy Vale…will you be okay for an hour or two? Vic and his team are here.”

“Of course.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Do what you have to do.”

 

Evan called Teddy and asked to see him. “Sure thing, kid, but come down to the restaurant. Harper’s, walk past the coffeehouse and hang a left.”

Evan pushed open the doors of the restaurant and was surprised to see Teddy behind the counter. “Hey, Chief, moonlighting?”

Teddy grinned. “More like working on my retirement plan. Bought this place a couple of years ago and been taking lessons from Miguel. He’s an old friend and a chef from Portland. Say hello, Miguel.”

A waving hand was stuck out from the kitchen door and Evan heard a shout of hello. Teddy smiled. “He’s focused. He was in demand in Portland at all the top places, but he wanted a quieter life here. Good man. What can I do for you, kid?”

“I talked to Billy Cyprian and I’m ruling him out. I still have some concerns about Damon Jones, but I don’t know, my gut is telling me Maurice Winston is behind this.”

“The agent?”

Evan nodded. He looked around the restaurant, bathed in strange light, the sky outside a mess of bruised clouds and rain. The windows were running with water, the storm obviously picking up momentum. The walls of the restaurant were covered in photo frames, Evan recognized some of the people in them, Billy, Lukia. Groups of family, friends, good times. The one above the bar that caught his eye was older. Teddy, younger and in uniform.

“You served?”

Teddy nodded. “Stationed in Saigon at the end.”

Evan whistled. “Veteran, Sheriff and chef. Renaissance man.”

Teddy smiled. “Just the way life took me, son. How about you, you do this for love?”

Evan shrugged. “In the family. I was a cop in the city first, but then the F.B.I. recruited me. I’ve worked out of the Portland office for years – this is actually one of the few times I’m not working on the biggest case, the serial killer in the city.” He sighed. “Can I ask you something? Would you have left in the middle of a huge investigation? No matter how it was affecting you?”

Teddy was silent. He got up, swiped a dish cloth from the bar and started to clean it. “Man, I think you did the right thing. Those girls…I’ve seen things, in the war, as a cop and it damn nearly killed me. Evan, if you felt it was right to walk away, then it was right for you. Don’t beat yourself up.”

Evan felt bleak. “But he’s still out there. And now he’s on the move.”

Teddy patted his shoulder. “Why I keep one eye open at night. Listen, I gotta get this place up and running for this evening – sure I can’t make you something?”

Evan shook his head and stood. “No, man, thanks. And thanks for the advice.”

He stepped into the rain, a deluge now, leaving the road slick and the sidewalks flooded. He shrugged his jacket over his head and ran for his cruiser. In the dry, he was about to start the car when he saw Damon Jones leave the station, glance towards the coffee house but then turn away. Evan watched the deputy until he disappeared, then looked over to the coffeehouse himself. He could bring Lukia some of her favorite hot chocolate.

Also, he thought as he grabbed an Americano for himself, he needed to take stock of what had happened between them. He’d acted unprofessionally, yes, but she was under his skin. So vulnerable, so fragile. Being with her, touching her, kissing her had been the most honest thing he’d done in years. When this case is over, he thought, I’m quitting. Who knows where things could go with Lukia – if anything - but I want to at least try.

He drove back to the Fleming compound, feeling lighter, but just as he got out of his car, his cell phone rang.

“Hey, boss.” It was Roscoe. “We think we have a line on the person who sold the video. He’s a lowlife adult film producer down in San Diego, but we’re having a hard time locating him.”

“Does he have a link to Maurice Winston?”

“Unknown, but we’re looking into it. The check you asked for on Deputy Damon James Jones came back clear, by the way, dude’s a boy scout.”

Evan sighed. “Well, thanks, Roscoe. Keep me updated as soon as you know anything. Winston is coming here tomorrow, and I don’t want Ms. Fleming upset by him – or worse.”

“Got it, boss. Later.”

Evan ended the call and looked up to see Lukia at the door, waiting for him, a sweet smile on her face. He loped up the steps to join her. She pulled him inside, out of the way of any prying eyes and kissed him passionately. After they had broken apart, she grinned up at him.

“It’s late. You’re off the clock, agent.”

Evan laughed softly. “I am, am I?”

“Oh yes. Come eat.”

 

Over steak and salad, she told him she had recorded a statement. “Will you watch it while we eat? I want to get it up and out tonight, but I need your opinion first.”

Evan watched as Lukia cued up the video. She looked vulnerable and very young on camera.

“By now, all of you know that I was attacked in my home on Saturday night. You will have the seen the video of the attack, released by the man who assaulted me and threatened my life. It has become clear to me over the past few days that my increasingly public profile may have factored into this attack. That isn’t how I want my life to be any more. As of this moment, I am no longer an actress or a public figure. Thank you for all your support over the past few years, but it has been on my mind for a while that this isn’t what I want for my career and that being famous is something I neither want nor crave. Thank you for respecting my privacy at this time – I will make no further statement on any matter. Goodbye.”

Lukia looked at Evan, chewing her lip. “Cheesy?”

“Not at all. Classy, yes. Admirable.”

She flushed with pleasure. “Thank you. I feel a weight has been lifted.”

Evan smiled and leaned over to touch her cheek. “I’m glad.”

 

After dinner, Lukia hesitated before saying, “Let’s sit in the living room, shall we?”

Evan knew it cost her a lot to say that, to want to return to the room where she had been attacked. He took her hand and led her into the room, sitting down on the couch and opening his arms so she could go into them. Lukia was trembling as he held her and he pressed his lips to her temple. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore, little one.”

She looked up at him, tears in her eyes. “Why do I feel like this? Why on the one hand do I feel so broken, but when you’re here, I feel so happy I could die? I’ve never had this experience where I’ve met someone and boom! My heart is yours, already, and that makes me full of joy and scared as hell. I don’t believe in love at first sight, Evan – at least, I didn’t.”

“Same here,” he said gently, “and I think we have to be careful with each other’s hearts.”

Lukia nodded. “Part of me wonders if this is all because of heightened emotions, so I’m trying not to get too…involved. But I can’t help it, Evan, I want you.”

He pressed his lips to hers, gently at first, then as she responded, the kiss deepened, became almost fevered.

“Take me upstairs,” Lukia moaned against his lips, and in a flash, they were on her bed, tearing each other’s clothes off. Evan kissed her lips, down to her throat, her breasts, her belly and finally he took her clit into his mouth and Lukia gasped, moaning his name as his tongue lashed around the sensitive bud.

“Evan…god…Evan…”

He brought her to a shattering climax then lunged his ram-rod hard cock into her as she screamed his name over and over. They fucked hard and long into the night, becoming almost feral in their desire for each other. Something was forged that night, a deeper connection, as Lukia’s fingernails clawed down Evan’s back and his cock drove deeper and harder into her ready cunt.

 

Evan woke around three a.m., his big body curved around Lukia’s protectively. What had woken him? Something. Something was wrong, his gut was telling him. He slipped from the bed and retrieved his sidearm, padding silently through the quiet house. He stopped and listened. He would expect to hear Vic’s men patrolling outside, the quiet crackle of their radios, a low murmur of chatter. There was nothing. Evan went down stairs, his weapon raised, his senses on high alert.

“Evan?”

He heard Lukia’s voice from the top of the stairs, calling him softly. “Lukia, go back to bed honey, and lock the door.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Maybe nothing, I don’t know. Go back to the bedroom, sweetheart.”

“Should we…” Her words were broken off as she screamed. “Evan!”

Evan darted towards the stairs only to be knocked sideways by an assailant ramming into him from the side. As he fought off his own attacker, he heard Lukia crying and screaming.

“No, please, don’t!”

Desperate, he punched his attacker out and looked up towards where Lukia was screaming. In horror, he saw her stagger away from her attacker as he lunged at her with a knife and drove it into her belly. She buckled backward, gasping in shock and pain.

“No!” Adrenaline coursed through Evan’s body and he forced his own attacker away, kicking at the man’s throat as he went down then raced up the stairs. Lukia’s attacker was trying to stab her again, but she was fighting back, anger as well as terror and pain on her lovely face.

“Motherfucker!” she screamed at her would-be killer as Evan tackled him away from her. The floor was slippery with her blood as Evan and the attacker fought. Where the hell was Vic and his men? As the thought hit him, he was distracted for a millisecond, and the attacker took advantage. He plunged the knife into Evan’s chest, just under his clavicle and Evan roared with the pain. He heard a gunshot from below and then, as his attacker tried to stab him again, suddenly his head exploded. Behind him, a bleeding wounded Lukia held Evan’s gun in her shaking hands. She sunk the floor, breathing hard. Evan’s chest wound was making him feel woozy, but he reached for Lukia as she starting to pass out, bleeding heavily. They stared at each other for the longest time, knowing they might never see each other again.

“I love you,” Lukia said in a whisper, then Evan saw her eyes close.

“I love you too,” he said and prayed it wasn’t too late for both of them. As he too gave into darkness, he heard voices, familiar voices, as Teddy Vale and his men came rushing into help.

 

Evan opened his eyes and blinked in the sudden bright light. Hospital. His chest was bandaged, and tubes were sticking out of his arm, but he was alive. His first thought wasn’t for himself, but for the beautiful woman, he felt he had let down.

He felt someone touch his hand. “Hey, kiddo.”

Teddy Vale smiled down at him. “Thought we’d lost you there for a while.”

Evan looked up at him, dread making his blood cold. “Lukia?”

“She’ll be fine, Evan, just fine. She had surgery, same as you, and she’s getting well. You saved her.”

Evan shook his head. “No, Teddy. She saved me.”

Teddy smiled. “Why do I get the feeling that she’ll say the opposite? She cares about you, kid, a lot.”

“Can I see her?”

“I’ll ask. I know the doctors are in with her at the moment. Let me go check.”

“Teddy, before you go…what happened? Who were those guys and what happened to Vic?”

Teddy’s smile faded. “It was Vic and his men,” he said, slowly. “Your friend Roscoe called me when he couldn’t reach you, telling me that he’d identified the men who had sold the video to the gossip sites. He emailed me a photo. I got straight over to yours. Evan…Billy hired them. He hired them to kill Lukia.”

The shock was deep and Evan closed my eyes. “Damn, he’s a good actor.”

“He’s a junkie with mental health issues.” Teddy’s voice was hard. “He fooled us all. The man who attacked you, the one who survived rolled on Billy. Billy didn’t have work commitments. He was still in town, spying on you…man, there’s so much to tell you, I can’t even begin.”

“Where is Billy now?”

“Jail, being assessed by a psychiatrist. He’s in withdrawal too, from heroin. Again, something he was a master of disguising.”

Evan closed his eyes and rubbed them. “But why? Why would he want to kill Lukia?”

Teddy smiled grimly. “She was about to become a huge movie star, and he has been fading for a while. Pure jealousy and he also thought he could milk her death for the publicity.”

“That doesn’t make sense…she told us she was retiring from the limelight, didn’t want it.”

“He was too far in by then, she had to die before someone found out he’d paid to have her attacked. Ever wonder why it was so convenient he wasn’t around when she needed him? And when he found about you two…”

Evan looked alarmed. “I’m sorry?”

Teddy gave a chuckle. “Come on now, kid. I could see it from a mile away. Billy was jealous. You need to look after each other now, you hear?”

Evan nodded, still confused. Billy? Her brother? It didn’t make any sense to him. Teddy patted his arm and got up to go. He went to the door then turned and smiled. “Someone’s here to see you,” he said with a warm chuckle, and then there she was, being escorted by a nurse, slightly bent over, but Lukia, smiling at Evan with all the love in her eyes.

As she was helped into the chair next to his bed, she took his hand, and he gazed at her lovely, pale face. Her eyes were shining at him, but he could see the pain too. She brought his hand up to her mouth and kissed it. “I love you,” she said softly, and Evan smiled.

“I love you too, sweetheart. Are you okay?”

“Physically, yes. Other stuff may take some time, but I’m just so happy you’re okay.”

“I have a good reason to live,” he said, serious now and she nodded.

“Yes, you do. Evan, the way my life has changed, in a week…I can’t begin to tell you how my emotions are in turmoil. But the one thing I am sure of is my feelings for you. I know we’re only just starting to know each other…can it work when people love each other before they really know each other?”

Evan stroked her soft downy cheek. “Baby, I don’t know the answer to that but, if you’re up for it, I’m willing to find out.”

Lukia smiled, her sapphire blue eyes soft with love. “Count me in, handsome. Evan, we have so much to figure out – not least is what the hell is wrong with my brother.”

Evan nodded. “How are you dealing with that?”

“I’m heartbroken,” she said, honestly, her voice cracking. “Everything in my life was a lie. That’s what I feel.”

“No,” Evan shook his head. “No. Only he was a lie. That one person. Teddy Vale isn’t a lie, the town who you love and who loves you, that’s not a lie. I’m not a lie. Just Billy. And for years, he wasn’t a lie, either. We just have to figure out when he changed, what the trigger was.”

Lukia sighed and didn’t say anything for a while, just stroked Evan’s forehead. “Maurice came to see me,” she said, with a grin. “He was full of crap as usual. Said he forgave me for quitting. I hear he’s trying to sell a story about us to a production company. Yuck. I fired him on the spot and told him to that if he interferes with my life in any way, I’m going to the press. Evan, I just want to be away from here at the moment.”

Evan smiled widely then. “I couldn’t agree more. Your passport up-to-date?”

She gave him a quizzical look. “Yes, why?”

“Because I know of just the most perfectplace we can escape to.”

 

Epilogue

 

Two months later…

Tuscany, Italy

 

“Hey!”

Sailor Creed ran out to hug Evan ad he got out of the car and, when he had introduced them, she hugged Lukia.

“I’m so glad you’ve come,” Sailor said, warmly, tucking her hand under Lukia’s arm. “Evan said you needed to get away from the worldand get some peace…well, I promise you, you’ll find it here.”

The villa was beautiful, the weather sultry and warm and Lukia loved Sailor and Bodhi and their adorable children instantly. After a wonderful home cooked meal, she sat outside with Evan, the Creed’s young son Adamo asleep in her arms, as Evan put his arms around her shoulders. Sailor and Bodhi had sent them out to relax as they cleaned up inside and Lukia sighed happily.

“You know,” Evan said idly, “they have writing schools in Italy too.”

Lukia grinned at him. “They do, don’t they? What are you suggesting, ex-F.B.I? Agent Teal?”

“I’m just saying, ex-superstar actress Fleming, that here, in this country, we could truly be anonymous.”

Lukia Fleming kissed her lover and smiled at him. “Yes, yes, we could.”

Evan stroked Adamo’s head. “And we could have a bunch of these.”

“A whole bunch,” Lukia smiled happily and as Evan leaned to brush his lips against hers, Lukia finally knew she had found where she finally belonged…

 

 

The End