Chapter Twenty-one

 

 

 

Alec parked the truck along a side street and set the brakes. The drive into San Francisco hadn't been too bad, though they'd had to navigate a landmine of traffic after a semi-trailer sideswiped a truck full of oranges. The road had been a sticky mess of squashed fruit peels and acrid juice. He glanced over at Lucy who'd dozed off on the trip across the bridge.

              He jumped out and had a look around. The street was dark and deserted this time of night…all the better for them. Alec had asked Lucy if she wanted to go to a hotel, but she'd been a nervous wreck and hadn't had much to say on the matter. He made the decision to nix the hotel and try for something a little less conspicuous. If that bastard Reese's intentions were to find them and finish Lucy off, then the last place they should be was out in the open in some hotel.

              Alec strode over to Lucy's side, taking care to note his surroundings. He opened her door and nudged her awake. “Wake up, love,” he whispered against her cheek and unfastened her seatbelt. “We're here.”

              She moaned sleepily and stretched to work the kinks out of her tired limbs. “Where are we?”

              Her husband helped her out and they stood looking up at the two-story Edwardian. “Telegraph Hill,” he informed her and walked her up the steps to the door. “Wait here.”

              Lucy shivered despite the warmth of the evening and hugged herself, wishing she'd brought a sweater. Alec came back with their bags and handed her the satchel. She watched in bemusement as he fumbled in the dark looking for something.

              “What are you looking for?” she whispered.

              “The bloody key! He always hides it in the damnedest places!”

              “Who?”

              Finally with a low cry of triumph, he located the elusive key hiding in a planter. He struggled with slipping the key into the lock, until he heard a resounding click and the door swung open. “My stepdad,” he answered finally, feeling along the wall for a light switch, squinting as a low-hanging ceiling lamp suddenly illuminated the entryway.

              Lucy winced at the sudden brightness. “I didn't know you had a stepdad.”

              He closed the door and locked it. “Yeah,” he said, tossing his duffle onto a nearby couch. “Mum married him when I was but a wee lad of four.”

              “What's he like?”

              “Pat?” he frowned and took her bag and set it down next to his duffle. “He's a regular berk!” he muttered unkindly. ”He thinks he knows everything!”

              Lucy smiled up at her husband. “And does he?”

              Her husband shrugged and reached for her. “Mum thinks so.”  He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “Hungry?” he asked gently.

              She nodded. “Starving!”

              He kissed her again and took her hand. Lucy followed him through the darkened house where he finally led her into a tiny kitchen. He set her upon a stool and went to see what leftovers Pat had left.

              Lucy glanced around and found it didn't compare to their little cottage. Right about now, she would be fixing some tea and maybe settling down on the sofa to watch a movie with her husband. She shook her head sadly and yawned. Lucy found herself nodding off but was startled awake by a cabinet slamming shut.

              “Dammit!” Alec swore.

              “What's wrong?”

              He turned towards her. “There's nothing here! The bloody oaf didn't even have the courtesy to leave a jar of peanut butter!” Looking around in frustration, he checked his watch. “I can run out and grab a few things, I guess.”

              “Can I come?” she asked, feeling a sudden need to stay close to him.

              “I was just about to ask you!” he grinned.

 

              They found a Walgreens nearby and stocked up on the usual basics such as bologna, cheese, and bread. After a light supper of sandwiches, milk, and some of Lucy's cookies, Alec decided it was time for bed.

              He led her upstairs to the second floor, which didn't have much to offer in the way of comfort. There was a small bathroom with claw-footed tub and pedestal sink. Off to the right of that was an equally small bedroom. Lucy stared at the old cast iron bed in horror.               It looked like something right out of The Exorcist.

              “Your stepdad isn't much for creature comforts is he?”

              “He's mingy all right,” Alec said with a rueful laugh and dropped their bags onto an overstuffed chair. “He just uses the place when he's here on business. He probably uses it for storage more than anything else.” 

              Lucy crossed her arms over her chest and went over to the window, where an old pair of lace curtains was strung up like a pair of tattered ghosts. She pulled them aside and peered out. A street lamp cast its eerie glow into the night, and in the distance there appeared to be someone walking his dog. “It's so quiet here.”

              Alec sat down on the patchwork quilt and winced as the old-fashioned coils protested under his weight. He gave the bed a good bounce to check to see if it would hold up under two people. “I think it passes muster,” he laughed and patted the bed beside him. “Come here, wife,” he commanded huskily.

              Lucy kicked off her Mary Jane sneakers and walked barefoot over the rough wooden floor. She sank down beside him and put her head on his shoulder. His arm went around her and she felt his lips brush her hair.  “Let's go to bed, love,” he said softly.

              She didn't feel like changing her clothes or brushing her teeth. Lucy allowed her husband to tuck her in and sighed sleepily when he slipped in beside her and took her into his arms. The pillow was too soft, so she put her head on his chest. Slowly, the heat of his body mingled with hers and she drifted off, and the shadows let her be.

              For the time being anyway.

             

              She awoke screaming in terror. Reese had shown up again and this time he had ripped out her baby from her womb and had held it up for her to see while he proceeded to stab it to death. She'd been unable to move and the baby had looked at her with pleading blue eyes, begging her to stop him. And all she could do was watch helplessly as Reese laughed and flung the tiny body at her and it died again, in her arms...

              “He's killing the baby!” she screamed and flailed about in a blind panic. “Don’t let him take my baby!” she sobbed.

              “God, love!” Alec had been jolted awake by his wife's screams and now he struggled to hold her down, lest she hurt herself. “It's me, Lucy!” he cried and held her tight. “It's me!” He watched as sanity returned to her eyes and she looked up at him.

              “Alec...?” she croaked. “H-He had the baby...he was laughing and he had a knife and he--”

              “Hush, love,” he soothed and kissed her eyes and stroked her hair away from her face. “He can't hurt the baby, love.” Her body quivered in remembered horror and he used his hands to quell her trembling. “The baby's safe,” he forced himself to say. “No one can hurt him ever again!”

              “Oh, Alec!” she wept and wrapped her arms about his neck. “I miss him!”

              “Don't,” he rasped, trying not to cry himself. He buried his face in her hair. “Don't do this to yourself.”

              Lucy was inconsolable. She hadn't really grieved for her son and now she let the tears flow. “Let me cry, Alec. I have to get it out.”

              His arms tightened around her then and he gave vent to his grief. They held each other in a desperate embrace and wept for their baby. When the tears were exhausted, they both fell into a listless sleep.

 

              Alec awoke the next morning feeling like a sledgehammer had clobbered him. The night had been one of the worst in recent memory and one he didn't care to revisit. He rolled over and discovered Lucy missing. She hadn't slept well and might have decided to watch TV.

              He got up and pulled on his loafers and went in search of his wife. When he reached the stairs, that's when the smell assaulted him; fresh eggs and the salty goodness of good old-fashioned bacon. He quickened his step.

              Lucy was in the kitchen barefoot and cooking up a storm. She'd fired up the old gas stove and had apparently gone to the store judging from the mound of ingredients on the counter. There had been a small explosion of flour and it dusted the stool and floor.

              Alec wiped the flour off and hopped up. He watched in silent appreciation and smiled when she expertly flipped the pancake she had frying in the pan.

              She slid the cooked one onto a serving platter and turned to reach for more batter. That's when she saw him. “Hello wife,” he said, his smile fading at her swollen eyes.

              Lucy barely managed a smile before adding the batter to the pan. “How many would you like?” she asked, her voice tight and oddly devoid of emotion.

              “Two or three will be good love,” he answered, feeling the familiar heaviness in his chest again. “Don't strain yourself.”

              “I-I'm not,” she said and flipped the cake. “I have to do something or I'll start screaming again.”

              He got up and went to her and slid his arms around her slender waist. He touched his lips to her hair. “I know,” he said softly. “Need some help?”

              “Um...you could set the table,” she leaned back and took the strength he offered.

              Alec kissed her cheek and went to fetch the paper plates and napkins they'd bought. He set two places on the old 50s dinette set that Pat had bought at an estate sale. The thing was better suited to a junkyard. He fished out the plastic cutlery and poured some orange juice into plastic cups. “How's that, love?' he asked.

              “It's fine,” she murmured without turning around. She loaded up the platter with the pancakes and a large heap of scrambled eggs. She set it down on the table and got the small plate of bacon. “Get the syrup,” she said, nodding towards the counter.

              He hurried to do her bidding and pulled out her chair for her. She flopped down into the vinyl seat and proceeded to load up a plate with pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Lucy handed it to her husband and got her own plate. Then she sat numbly and stared at her culinary creation.

              Alec was growing alarmed. He'd never seen her like this. Even after the hospital and even their fight, there'd been a fire lurking below that demure exterior. Now it seemed that a mere nightmare had the ability to drain the life out of her. “Lucy.”

              “Hmm?”

              “Eat your eggs love,” he ordered none too gently. She nodded and picked up her plastic fork and proceeded to eat her pancakes. Dry.

              He swore silently and reached across the table and poured a good amount of syrup over her pancakes. Then he took his knife and fork and cut the bacon up into child-size pieces. He sat back down and watched in dismay as his wife slowly ate her breakfast like a goddamn robot

              Lucy chewed the pancakes and swallowed. She ate her eggs and polished off the bacon. She glanced up, startled when Alec abruptly left the table and came back with a small bottle. He opened it and shook out the familiar blue tablet.

              “No,” she shook her head. “I don't like that stuff!”

              Alec sighed wearily and knelt down beside her. He placed the pill into her palm and closed it gently. “Just for today, love,” he pleaded. He reached up and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You need to sleep.”

              “I'm afraid to go to sleep,” she whispered back. “He's there, watching me.”

              He caressed her cheek. “I'll watch you. I won't leave you.”

              “You'll stay with me?”

              Alec nodded and handed her the cup of orange juice. He watched as she bravely popped the pill into her mouth and washed it down. “There,” she grumbled, “satisfied?”

              He laughed a little, mostly in relief. “Yes and no.”

              “What's that supposed to mean?”

              “Well, love,” he grinned up at her and took his finger and touched the tip of her adorable nose, “you steal the covers.”

              “I do not!” she huffed and stuck her tongue out at him. “It's only because you wrap yourself up like a mummy. I might freeze to death if I don't take evasive action!”

              The knot in his chest loosened and he pulled her down into his arms. She was going to be just fine, ladies and gentlemen! Just fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-two

 

 

 

They remained in San Francisco for a week before Alec decided that if someone wanted to kill them, they would have done it by now. There hadn't been much sightseeing as Lucy had slept most of the time. She hadn't minded; for the first time in months she actually felt like her old self again.

              She glanced over at the man sleeping beside her, looking adorably innocent in his sleep. He opened his eyes and his mouth curved into a lazy smile.

              “Hello, wife,” he said softly.

              She turned over on her side, facing him and folded her hands beneath her head. “Hello, sailor.”

              He arched a splendid brow and grinned wickedly. “Are you flirting with me, wife?”

              Lucy giggled. “Perhaps.” She gave him a saucy wink. “What are you going to do about it?”

              Alec slid closer. “I can think of a few things,” he said huskily, reaching for her.

              “Oh?” she turned over onto her back and entwined her arms about his neck. She drew his head down and kissed him lightly on the nose. She sighed as his arms slid beneath her and she gasped as her soft breasts pressed into his chest. Suddenly they were wearing too many clothes. “My love,” she murmured and pressed soft kisses over his face and neck. “I love you so.”

              Alec closed his eyes in pleasure and unbuttoned her pajama top. He slipped his hand inside to tenderly cup a small breast and worked the nipple with his thumb until she cried out, arching her back while he lowered his head to savor the sweet flesh. “Darling,” he muttered hotly against her skin, drawing the taut little knob of flesh into his mouth. He sucked gently.

              “Oh!” she gasped and slid her fingers into his hair, reveling in the feel of the silky strands. She cradled his head to her and moaned with delight at the velvety texture of his tongue swirling around the sensitive flesh. Her breath caught in her throat and she whimpered as he licked and laved until she could take no more. “Alec!” she cried softly. “Please!”

              Alec groaned and helped her off with her pajamas and panties. Then he fumbled clumsily with his boxers and tossed them onto the floor without ceremony. He fell back onto the bed and clasped her greedily in his arms. His mouth swooped down, demanding, searching, wanting.

              Lucy clutched him to her and took his mouth eagerly with her own. Their tongues twisted and entwined in a desperate dance. Her head fell back and his mouth devoured her slender throat and she whimpered at the delicious torture of his mouth drinking greedily from her breasts. Her hands slid over the firmly muscled back and down to his tight ass and cupped and caressed his flesh in loving possession. He cried out and moved over her, lowering his hips into the wet cradle of her thighs.

              Her nails bit into the soft flesh of his back as he pressed his engorged flesh into hers. He impaled her with unhurried sweetness, and her mouth fell open on a strangled cry of excruciating pleasure. His mouth swooped down, his cries mingling with hers, and she closed her eyes at the exquisite feel of her husband filling her to the brim. When he didn't begin to move right away, her eyes opened to find him staring down at her with concern etched on his taut features.

              “What's wrong?” she gasped.

              Alec shook his head and touched his brow to hers. “Are you okay? Am I hurting you, love?”

              Her hands cradled his dear face. He was shaking with his effort to be gentle. “I'm fine,” she smiled up at him. “It doesn't hurt anymore.” She drew his head down to hers and kissed him lovingly. “Love me, Alec.”

              Alec groaned at the feel of her firm nipples burning into his chest and thrust into her, gasping at the way her tight flesh grasped him. “My wife,” he moaned, pushing carefully in and out. “My love, my life,” he rasped, lowering his mouth to suck on her tongue.

              “Alec!” Lucy sobbed, arching her hips hungrily against his. His throbbing cock moved gently within her and suddenly it wasn't enough. He was taking his time with her, and she wanted more. “Alec,” she gasped, sliding her hands over his flexing ass, “harder! Please!” The ache between her thighs seemed to grow worse with his steady thrusts. She cupped him hard and tried to press him deeper. “Faster!”

              “No!” he panted and kissed her again. “I'll hurt you, love.”

              “I don't care!” she pleaded, lifting her slender thighs over his hips. “Oh, please!” she moaned and wriggled beneath him.

              Alec cried out and to her delight, increased his pace, thrusting hard and deep, almost to the point of pain. Then he seemed to remember himself and slowed his hips.

              She whimpered in protest and slid her tongue into his ear. “Oh, my darling,” she breathed, “I'm not going to break.”

              “Lucy!” he cried in defeat, and thrust frantically into her. Her head fell back as he covered her throat and face with frantic kisses. “I love you!” he muttered fiercely.

              Cries of pleasure caught in her throat and she clung to him, greedy for this...for him. His thrusts came hard, hot, and deep. Her lithe body answered his and she took him deeper and deeper still, her mouth uttering gasping sobs at the feel of his swollen flesh penetrating her painfully, pleasurably, sweetly. The sensations mounted and she held on to him for dear life, suddenly frightened of her impending orgasm.

              Then when she thought she couldn't possibly bear anymore, it happened. Unbearable rapture shot through her, and Lucy shuddered beneath his powerful body, sobbing his name. “Alec! Oh, Alec!” She winced; her orgasm seemed to go on and on until she thought she'd die from the sweet agony.

              Alec lifted himself high above her and with several rapid thrusts, squirted hotly within his wife and sank upon her damp body, groaning his release.

              They lay entwined in the aftermath of their passion, clinging to the other. Lucy's hands stroked his hair and his back, lingering tenderly upon the puckered scars. Every now and then she could feel his lips against her throat. “Alec?” she said after a while. “Are you all right?”

              He groaned and shifted within her. “No.”

              She smiled and wiggled her hips, reveling in his precious weight pressing her into the mattress. He groaned and settled deeper within her. “Don't,” came his muffled voice.

              “But why?” Lucy whispered, kissing his shoulder. She sucked on his flesh, her tongue tasting sweat mingling with just a hint of soap. He groaned again and raised his head.

              “What are you trying to do to me, wife? Kill me?” he muttered and his teeth lightly nipped her chin. “Isn't once enough?” he joked.

              She wiggled her hips again, gasping in delight at his cock shifting deliciously within her. “You feel,” her eyes slid shut on a trembling breath, “so... nice.”

              Do I now?” He grinned wickedly and circled his hips, groaning as her head fell back, her hair a tangled mass of black silk against the pillow, and her mouth opening on a sobbing gasp. Alec withdrew gently and slid back into her aching sweetness, eyeing her closely to gage her reaction, and groaned again when her teeth caught her lower lip. “Wife, you're so hot and sweet,” he muttered against her lips, urging her mouth open with his tongue and drinking deeply of that most honeyed confection.

              She mewled into his mouth, shuddering at the overwhelming sensation of him--- hot and thick---stretching her to the point of pain. His tongue curled wetly around hers, stroking and catching her soft cries of pleasure. Alec moaned softly, sliding his hands along her silken thighs and drawing them up over his hips. They both cried out as he plunged even deeper and began to move.

              He pressed his brow to hers. “All right?” he whispered.

              “I-I think...so,” she panted, tightening her arms around him. “And…you?”

              Alec moaned, his eyes meeting hers, and found himself drowning in twin pools of limpid black heat. “I...think... I'm dying,” he gasped, burying his hungry cock into her succulent flesh. He cried out, resisting the urge to ride her hard and fast when her nails raked down his back, but he lost all control when her small hands slid to his ass to pull him in deeper. “Sweetheart!” he groaned and thrust wildly into her. She stiffened, sobbing her love for him as she came. He could feel her orgasm rippling around him, her vagina squeezing with that most delectable of pleasures until he could bear no more, and came so violently his body jerked and convulsed with the force of it.

              They lay panting in each other's arms, stroking and soothing with their lips and hands. Finally, with their passion spent they slept, limbs entwined...

             

             

* * *

              The weeks flew by with no further word from Rudy about Reese. It seemed the man had dropped off the face of the earth. They didn't mind. Lucy and Alec took the opportunity to have a belated honeymoon.

              “Once this is all over, “ he promised her one night over a dinner of filet mignon, “We’ll have ourselves a real honeymoon.”

              Lucy smiled at him. “Where will we go?”

              “Anywhere you want, love.” He reached across the table to grasp her hand. “We can stay in a little cottage just like this; Ireland's chock-full of them!”

              “I'd like that,” she told him, and got up to fetch her surprise. “I've got a surprise for you,” she began shyly.

              Alec grinned from ear to ear, feeling so damn happy he was certain that if he were to pop off this night, they'd have trouble prying the smile off his face. “What's the occasion?”

              She giggled like a schoolgirl infatuated with her first crush and brought out the kidney pie she'd baked for him. She placed it carefully on the table in front of him. “Can you guess what it is?”

              Alec peered down at what appeared to be an ordinary pie. But on closer inspection, the aroma was fast reminding him of what he'd long missed about home. He glanced up at his wife. “Is that what I think it is?”

              Lucy laughed and took a knife and cut him a piece. “Kidney pie!” She placed it on a plate for him and sat down, watching him with some trepidation. She'd asked Rudy what Alec' s favorite foods were and he'd mentioned meat pies. It had taken several attempts and numerous recipes before she felt comfortable enough to serve it to her beloved. “You do like kidney pie, don't you?”

              Alec scooped up the meaty goodness and forked a mouthful. He nearly fell off the bench at the taste; it was just as good as mum’s. He'd been missing good English food. “Yum!” he grinned licking his lips. “How did you know?”

              She rested her elbows on the table and gazed lovingly at her husband polishing off his pie and shook her head when he offered her some. “I asked Rudy what you might like. I know you're tired of Yankee food.”

              He swiped his lips with a napkin. “I never said no such a thing!”

              Lucy laughed again and went to fetch dessert.

              “There's dessert, too?” he blurted in disbelief. He'd been happy with the pie. His eyes widened at the small plates she placed on the table. “What are those?” he asked in curiosity at the small mounds of chocolate.

              She opened a pint of vanilla ice cream and put a scoop on the top of each mound. She pushed his plate to him. “Have a taste and then I'll fess up.”

              He eyed her suspiciously and took a fork full. Alec was immediately assailed by melting chocolate oozing over his tongue. He thought he could also taste a hint of brandy. “What is this?” he demanded.

              “Like?” she grinned knowingly and cut into hers. “Oh my, that's good! I was afraid it wouldn't cook all the way through.”

              “The suspense is killing me, wife!”

              Lucy giggled again. “It's a chocolate fondant!”

              “Well, I'm gobsmacked,” he said, scraping up the last of the chocolaty puddle. “You should be a chef!”

              “Nah, I wouldn't want to do it for a living.” She rose and gathered their plates. “I only cook for you.”

              “You better!” he grinned, and helped her load the dishwasher. “Want to see a movie?”

              “Sure,” she said, sponging off the counter. “But I think we've seen just about everything.”

              “No,” he scratched his nose self-consciously, “I mean go out...to a movie.” He cleared his throat awkwardly. He was failing miserably at this.

              Lucy smiled softly at her husband's boyish attempt at romance. She tossed the sponge into the dishwasher and turned it on. “Alec, are you asking me out?”

              “Huh?” he squawked and then got hold of himself. He straightened himself to his full height. “Why yes,” he said firmly “Yes, I am!”

              She went to him and slid her arms around his waist. “I'd love to.”

              “You would?”

              “Uh-huh.”

              “Well, the Victoria Theatre is having a Frank Capra festival and I thought we could make a night of it. We could stay in a posh hotel and have breakfast by the bay.” He peered down at her quizzically “What do you think?”

              She nuzzled his chest and rose on tiptoe to kiss his scruffy cheek. “I'd go anywhere with you!”

              “Really?” he asked almost shyly. “Well, that's great!”

              Lucy laughed and he gave her a bear hug, lifting her clear off the floor. “Alec!” she giggled, her feet dangling in the air. “I'm afraid of heights!”

              Chuckling, he set her down gently. “Pack light. We won't be back till late tomorrow.”

              “Okay!” she skipped to her room and took out her overnight bag. She tossed in whatever was clean and bemoaned the fact that she didn't have a decent dress to wear if Alec decided to take her to dinner.

              She added a few toiletries and looked around for her compact. Lucy found it odd that she couldn't find the silver engraved mirror that Rudy had given her for her eighteenth birthday. She knew she'd placed it on the dresser and now it seemed to have vanished into thin air. “That's really odd!” she muttered to herself. She was about to check under the bed when she heard Alec calling her.

              Sighing in frustration, she turned off the lamps and joined him in the living room. He was busy turning off the TV and frowned when he saw her face. “What's wrong, love?”

              “Oh, I can't find my compact,” she sighed.  “You know the one Rudy gave me?” He nodded. “It's gone! I can't find it anywhere!”

              “I'm sure you just misplaced it, love.”

              “I guess so.”

              “It's not that expensive is it?”

              “No,” she shook her head and frowned. “It's more a sentimental thing. It was a birthday present.”

              “Well, in that case,” he grinned and picked up her bag, “I now know what to get you for Christmas!”

              “I think I'd much rather have a ring,” she hinted and held out her hand. “I could use one, don't you think?”

              Alec took her small hand in his and raised it to his lips. “I think that can be arranged,” he said huskily. “What kind would you like?”

              Lucy pretended to think it over. “Something big and shiny!” she said impishly. “I think it should be seen from outer space.”

              “Cheeky monkey!” he chuckled and escorted her out to the truck. “I don't think they make stones that big!”

              “Oh, yes they do!” she informed her husband. “You're forgetting about the Hope Diamond.”

              His eyes widened in mock horror. “Isn't that thing cursed?”

              “Those stories were concocted to raise its monetary value.”

              “Well, I'm not buying my wife an evil diamond. You'll have to settle for something a little more safe.” He winked at her. “Like cubic zirconia.”

              “You wouldn't!” she gasped in shock. “Is that all I'm worth to you?” she said, doing her best impersonation of Vivian. “I certainly think I'm worth a pearl or topaz at least!”

              “I don't know, wife.” He cocked his head to one side and pretended to consider this. “Didn't they used to put rings in Cracker Jack boxes?”

              “I want a divorce!” she teased and punched him playfully on the arm.

              He laughed at his wife and opened her door. “Ladies first,” he said gallantly and swatted her bottom in retaliation.

              “Ow!” she pouted jokingly. “Watch where you put that thing! I'm very delicate you know.”

              “Yes, I know,” Alec grinned wickedly and fastened her seatbelt. “You were very delicate last night.”

              “Alec!”

              “And the night before and the night before that. I could go on.”

              “I didn't hear any objections,” she retorted and mussed his hair. “Or would you like me to be Xena?”

              This time his mouth dropped open. “Hold your tongue, wife!” he admonished lightly. “That woman was a barbarian. I'm surprised she didn't club me over the head and drag me to her cave!”

              “Would have served you right!” she giggled. “Do you want me to try that on you next time?”

              “Corporal punishment has no place in a loving relationship,” Alec told her gruffly. “But if you want to dress up like Xena, that's an entirely different matter.” He leered at her.

              “Alec!” she scolded, blushing furiously. “Stop looking at me like you see my knickers!”

              “Oh, but I already know what you look like without them!” He chuckled at her shocked expression and closed the door. He whistled as he loaded the truck and hopped in. Fastening his seatbelt, he glanced over at his wife who was a very delightful shade of pink. He smiled to himself. At least their marriage would never be boring. “Ready?” he asked.

              Lucy nodded and then she remembered. “Hell!” she swore and fumbled with her seatbelt.

              “What is it?”

              “I forgot about the dishwasher!”

              “It'll turn itself off, love.”

              “I set it for a full cycle. I'd better make sure, we wouldn't want to come back and have to be rescued by the Coast Guard!”

              He nodded and began unfastening his belt. “No, it'll only take a minute,” she told him. “Give me the key.”

              He handed it to her and Lucy jumped out and unlocked the door. She rushed into the kitchen and turned on the oven light. The dishwasher was going through its drying cycle.

              She supposed she had overreacted but she didn't want to cause any damage to the little cottage. The more time they spent here, the more attached she got.

              Feeling hungry, Lucy opened the refrigerator for something to nibble on in the truck. She found some apples and goat cheese and placed them in a baggie. Then rummaging around in the drawer for a small butter knife, she heard someone behind her. Thinking it was Alec she turned around, and came face to face with the devil.

             

             

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-three

 

             

             

Alec checked his watch again. Lucy had been gone all of five minutes and should have been back by now. He killed the engine and listened. Aside from a slight breeze ruffling the leaves on trees, it was quiet--too quiet. He hopped out and reached for his pistol. But he second-guessed himself on that, remembering the last time he had overreacted and nearly shot his wife. He thought better of it but approached the cottage with every sense heightened on alert.

              The door was slightly ajar and he eased it open carefully. It was dark inside the cottage, and Alec felt every hair on his head, stand on end. There was a faint light coming from the kitchen and strange muffled sobs. It sounded like Lucy and she wasn't alone.

              Alec swore silently and bent low to remove the pistol from his ankle and tucked it into the waistband of his pants. He yanked his shirt down to hide it and bent down again to remove his shoes. Whoever was in there with Lucy shouldn't know he was coming.

              His eased himself quietly toward the kitchen and stopped at the shutters separating the kitchen from the living room. Alec's breath came in short halting gasps, and he winced when he heard the sound of a hand meeting fragile skin.

              “Shut up!” a male voice growled. “Where's your little friend?”

              Alec could hear Lucy weeping softly and his blood ran cold. Suddenly he knew who was in there with her, and his mind ran the gamut of numerous scenarios in which Lucy was either shot or stabbed because of his stupidity. He thought quickly and reached up to muss his hair as if he'd just woken up. Then he unbuttoned the first few buttons on his shirt and took a deep breath and strolled casually into the kitchen as if he'd fallen asleep on sentry duty and needed a drink.

              He opened the refrigerator nonchalantly, as if he hadn't noticed his wife gagged and tied to a chair with a gun pointed at her head. Alec reached for the orange juice and began to guzzle it greedily, trying to think how the hell he was going the get the bastard away from Lucy. His spine stiffened as he was noticed.

              “Oh, there you are!” Reese growled low and reached up to grab a handful of Lucy's hair. “Look, my dear. Your bodyguard hasn't forgotten you after all!”

              Lucy blinked at her husband. One eye was already swollen shut from the nasty blow he'd given her when she whirled around to see who was behind her. There was a trickle of blood coming from a split lip, and her nose was starting to bleed. Alec stared at her helplessly and pleaded with his eyes for her to trust him. She seemed to understand and closed her eyes almost as if in answer. Just as he was about to drain the rest of the orange juice, he heard an order: “Come here!”

              “Oh, don't mind me,” Alec gestured with the carton. “Carry on.”

              The man's beady eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Who are you?”

              “Me?” Alec shrugged carelessly. “I'm just minding the bird.”

              Reese pointed the gun at Alec. “You're not very good at your job. She was in here all by her little self.”

              “Yeah? Well what do you expect?” Alec shot back. “The old man don't pay me hardly enough.”

              Reese nodded in agreement and trained the gun on Alec as he approached. “Rudy's always been a skinflint.” He tilted his head to one side. “I don't know what I'm going to do with you. You're not supposed to be here.”

              Alec nodded. “That does pose a problem.”

              “I guess they'll find two bodies instead of one.”

              “That's too bad, mate,” Alec said sympathetically. “I was kinda hoping I'd get a chance to get on his wick.

              “What?” Reese frowned in confusion. “Don't try to trick me!” He waved the pistol for emphasis.

                “I wouldn't do that, mate.”

              “Then what do you mean?”

              “Rudy hasn't been very nice to me,” Alec explained, trying not to notice Lucy softly sobbing in the corner. “He hasn't even paid me yet!”

              “You don't say?” Reese muttered, not entirely convinced. “But he allowed you to watch her. You wouldn't do that for free.” He peered at Alec closely. “Been fucking her have you?”

              “Not me!” Alec said, shaking his head and peering over the man's shoulder at Lucy. “She's wouldn't let me touch her! Cold as Siberia in winter!”

              “So you tried!” Reese's fat lips curled upward in a leering grin. “Rudy wouldn’t like that. She's his favorite, you know.” He went back to Lucy and ran his fingers through her hair, and Alec's heart tightened in his chest. “She's always been his favorite. I can see why.” He allowed his hand to travel to her shoulder and down to her breast. He squeezed her hard and a cry of pain escaped her gag. “She's quite a pretty piece. Don't you agree?”

              “I guess so,” Alec said as if he couldn't care less. “If you like bony crows.”

              Reese let out a trembling sigh and bent down. He slid his hand up Lucy's leg and up her skirt. She shook her head, eyes pleading with Alec to do something, and squealed in protest when he caressed her thigh. “Her skin’s like satin,” he breathed. “I've always liked the feel of a little girl's skin.”

              Alec gave her a quick shake of his head and set the carton down. He closed the refrigerator. “What are you going to do with her?”

              “All sorts of things,” he sighed longingly, taking the pistol and running it across Lucy's breasts. “Want to join me? There's plenty.”

              “I think I can do one better, mate,” Alec said, approaching him slowly.

              “No, you don't.” Reese pointed the pistol again and went over to Alec. He patted him down and paused when he found the pistol. “That's not very nice.”

              Alec shrugged. “Part of the job requirements, mate. Don't hold it against me.”

              Reese pocketed the gun. “Why should I trust you?”

              “Because I've got it all worked out, mate. Want to hear it?”

              Reese tilted his head again. “I suppose so.” He pointed the gun at Alec and warned, “No tricks or I'll blow your damn fool head off.”

              “I don't doubt it.” Alec took a deep breath and gestured toward Lucy. “If you really want to get back at Rudy, sell her.”

              “What?”

              “I know this bloke down in Mexico who'll pay top dollar for that stunner and poor Rudy will go mad wondering what the bloody hell happened!”

              “He would?” Reese sounded hopeful at causing his arch nemesis years of heart- rending agony. “He's an alcoholic you know,” he confided gleefully. “ He would never get over it, would he?”

              “Probably not,” Alec grinned.

              “How much?”

              “Oh, I don't know,” Alec shrugged, his eyes raking Lucy as if assessing her value at an auction. “Five-thousand, maybe? More if she's a virgin.”

              “Is that all?” Reese sounded insulted. “She's worth more than that!”
              “Yeah? Well, he won't take too kindly to you breaking the merchandise!”

              Reese nodded and the gun dropped a little but not much. “How would we get her across?”

              Alec tapped his finger thoughtfully against his mouth. “You got a car?”

              “Yeah,” Reese nodded and gestured with the pistol. “I parked down the road.”

              “We can put her in the boot and we'll look like a couple of blokes on holiday. What do you think?”

              Reese paused to consider this. “I can do that without you.”

              “Sure, but Javier has an itchy trigger finger and I'm the only one he'll talk to.” He eyed Reese doubtfully, “ Unless you'd rather I give you the address and you try talking to those goons of his. They'll chop your bloody head off and string you up from a bridge.”

              Reese's eyes widened. “Narcos?” he shouted, waving the gun erratically around in the air. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

              “Business is business, mate,” Alec said regretfully. “You know how it is.”

              Lucy's sobs quieted and Reese turned towards his captive. “What'll they do with her?”

              “You know.”

              “No, I don't.”

              Alec rolled his eyes. “Good God man! She'll have everything a girl could want. They'll spoil her for a bit and then they'll pass her around like a party favor at a New Year's bash.”

              “Really?” There was an unholy gleam in Reese's eyes. “I suppose they'll dispose of her once they're done.”

              Alec shrugged as if he were privy to the debauched activities of drug kingpins. “Don't rightly know, mate. They might pass her off to some human traffickers in Europe or something. She'd fetch a good price on the open market.”

              “You make her sound as if she's a horse,” Reese spat in disgust. “Maybe I shouldn't do business with you.”

              “I don't make the rules, mate,” Alec said with his hands in the air. “That's the way the world works as I'm sure you know.”

              “I suppose so.” Reese looked around as if contemplating what to do with the both of them when suddenly he cackled evilly. “You're a real piece of work, mister.”

              Alec wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry. “I don't know about that,” he grinned finally. “But we should get going if we want to get across the border without any hassles.”

              Reese took one last look at Lucy and laughed again. “Yeah! Let's do it!”

 

* * *

              They marched down the road with only the light of the moon guiding their way. Reese had allowed Alec to carry Lucy over his shoulder and every now and then when the man wasn't looking, Alec would stroke her thigh in a reassuring caress.

              Reese turned suddenly. “The car's too small. What about the truck?”

              Alec stopped. “I was wondering when you were going to notice. Hurry up, this bird's heavy.”

              Reese giggled and led the way back, following behind them with his pistol ready should he change his mind. “This is fun!” he chortled. “Rudy will have a nervous breakdown and I can visit him in the hospital!”

              “Yeah? They might put him a straitjacket. They do that nowadays.”

              “I know!” Reese cackled with glee. “They wanted to do that to me, but I wouldn't let them!”

              “Oh? What'd you do?”

              “Come now!” Reese sighed in frustration. “Don't you know who I am?”

              They reached the truck and Alec turned around. “I'm afraid I don't keep up with current events, mate. Why don't you explain it to me?”

              Reese giggled again and put a finger to his lips. “I'll never tell!” he said, eyeing the truck with envy. “Nice!” He frowned at Alec. “Rudy's?”

              “Javier's,” Alec replied. “He'll do me in if I scratch it.”

              Reese gestured with the pistol. “Put her in.”

              “The keys are in me pocket.”

              Reese fished them out and opened the back of the truck. He watched as Alec let Lucy slide down and placed her down on the rug. “We'll need some rope,” Alec told him, running his hand up Lucy's leg. “She starts moving around and the Federales will pummel us both!”

              Alec stood aside as Reese inspected their prisoner who lay whimpering with her hands tied behind her back. “Maybe you're right. Go get some.”
              “Nah, I want to stay with her.” Alec said gruffly and slid his hand possessively up her thigh. “I think I'd like to sample the goods first.”

              Reese groaned. “Where is it?” he demanded in exasperation. “I thought you didn't want to bruise the merchandise?”

              “I lied,” Alec chuckled and leered at Lucy. “There's rope in the hall closet.”

              Reese grinned as Alec slid his hand between her thighs and chuckled to himself when she cowered in fear. “Save some for me!” he admonished and ran into the house.

              Alec waited and looked to make sure the coast was clear. He reached and pulled the gag out of her mouth. She was crying. “Alec!”

              “Hush, love,” he soothed and tried to take her in his arms. Lucy cried out in pain.

              “My arm is broken!” she whimpered. “When he tied me, he bent it hard and I felt the bone snap.”

              Alec took out his pocketknife and cut her binds. “How's that?”

              Lucy shook her head. “Help me out!” she whispered urgently.
              He reached and smoothed her hair away from her face. “I'm sorry, love. I didn't know what he was capable of. I had to get him away from you.”
              “I know, “ she gulped. “Help me.”

              “I can't.”

              She stared at him in disbelief. “What---?”

              “He's got my pistol and he'll shoot us both for the fun of it if he decides to. I can't chance it.” He reached into his pocket for the truck keys. “Here love,” he said softly. “Lock yourself in.”

              “No!” she said stubbornly. “I'm not leaving you!”

              “Dammit, woman!” he hissed low. “Do as I say!”

              “Alec, please!” she wept, afraid of what would happen if she did what he asked. “I don't want to lose you.”

              He kissed her hard, ignoring her cry of protest, and pressed the keys into her hand. “Never!” he swore. “Lock yourself in,” he said again, this time more firmly. “I'm not asking!”

              She gripped the keys and slid back into the truck. Alec closed the door quietly and Lucy pressed the button, stifling a sob as she heard the resounding click of the locks. Then she held her breath and waited.

              Alec was still facing the truck when he heard Reese's footsteps on the gravel. He reached for his zipper and turned around, looking like he'd just finished a pleasurable interlude with their prisoner.

              Reese stopped short and stared at his partner in dismay. “You didn't!”

              Alec made a show of straightening his pants and grinned slyly. “She was no virgin!”

              The man snorted in disgust and flung the rope aside. “You're horrible!”

              “She didn't think so!”

              “Leave a man alone for two seconds and this is what happens!” Reese glowered at Alec. “You could have waited for me! I like to share.”

              “There's still some left.”

              “I'll have to wait,” he pouted. “They're no good when they're sore.” Reese peered regretfully over Alec's shoulder.

              Alec sobered slightly. “You sound as if you speak from experience.”

              “I do!” Reese giggled again, the high-pitched quality of his laughter sounding like something out of hell. “Want to know how?”

              “Tell!” Alec said, crossing his arms over his chest and looking for an opportunity to bash the man's skull.

              “Well,” he began conversationally, “the first girl I took didn't even last the night! Can you believe she decided to die just when I was having fun?”

              “You don't say.”

              “That's when I switched to the older ones. It turns out the younger they are, the tighter they are. And that means they bleed more. It's not fair!”

              “How many were there?” Alec asked quietly.

              Reese rubbed his cheek thoughtfully with the gun muzzle. “I never kept records.” He shrugged. “There were so many I lost count! Parents are so careless, you know!”

              “Are they?”             

              “Sure,” his little head bobbed up and down. “They're always working so they leave them to walk home by themselves or leave them home alone! That's the best time, when they're all alone.” He laughed at the pleasant memories. “Sometimes they're so involved with their pathetic lives, that they don't even lock their windows!”

              “No!” Alec gasped in shock. “Do tell!”

              Reese leaned forward and whispered, “Sometimes they even left the doors unlocked!”

              “Is that so?”

              “Not always,” Reese said in disappointment. “I had to get a job so I could be close to the children. I do love children.” He sighed longingly. “They're so sweet and gullible. They'll believe anything you say!”

              “But why...children?”

              “Why not?”

              “Oh, I don't know,” Alec shrugged. “I'm thinking teenagers might be a little easier to handle.”

              “You would think so.” Reese shook his head sadly. “No, the smaller ones give the most pleasure.”
              Alec felt his gorge rise a little. “How does that work exactly?” he forced himself to ask.

              Reese smiled again and reached down to rub his crotch. “Well, they just do.” He groaned at his arousal. “Move aside,” he said gruffly. “I'm going to fuck her now!”

              Alec swallowed hard. “I don't think so. I was pretty rough with her. She probably passed out from that broken arm you gave her.”

              “So? I want to fuck!” He tried to unzip his pants but couldn't with the gun in his hand, so he slipped it into his coat pocket. “Open the door!”

              Alec knew this was his chance and shot out an arm to block him. “I wouldn't in the truck. Javier will have both our heads.” He nodded toward a grassy area near the driveway. “Over there.”

              “Oh, all right!” Reese grumbled and stood waiting for his prize. “Well?” he demanded. “What're you waiting for?”

              “Why don't you take off your jacket and spread it down for the lady. She'd like that.” Alec turned around and pretended to fish out the keys.

              “My jacket?” the little man frowned in confusion. “Whatever for? She won't know the difference.”

              “Don't you want her to think you're a gentleman? I mean she might be more willing if she's comfy like.”

              Grumbling under his breath, Reese doffed his jacket and spread it out onto the grass. He turned away from Alec then, crouching low to smooth out the wrinkles. “I don't know why I'm going to all this trouble for a simple fuck!”

              Alec moved quickly. He ran towards Reese and launched himself at the small figure as he stood to survey his work. He slammed into him hard, shoving him away from the garment, and heard a startled grunt as Reese was knocked to the ground. Then he snatched up the jacket with their pistols and flung it into a nearby bush. He didn't need a gun to take care of the bastard.

              Reese sat up spitting out blood and gravel, the wind knocked out of him, and staring up at Alec who was glaring down at him with cold blue eyes. “What did you that for?” he demanded in a wounded voice. “I was going to share!”

              “I've changed me mind, mate,” Alec informed the wretched creature. “I want her all to myself!”

              “But I thought we were going to sell her!” Reese whined. “You lied!” he glared up at Alec and went for his knife. “You know what I think? I think there isn't any Javier!”

              “Oh, there's a Javier,” Alec assured him and flung his phone at him. “Call him yourself if you don't believe me. I'm sure he'd love to hear from you during happy hour!”

              Reese reached out and grabbed the phone. He went through the call list and saw there was, indeed, a man by the name of Javier on it. He stood up, holding the knife out for protection. “Who do you think you are? Fucking with me like that? I'll gut you like a fish!” he snarled. “Then I'll rape the bitch, kill her, and take the truck. You'll be in so many pieces they'll have to use a magnifying glass to put you back together!”

              “I'd like to see you try,” Alec taunted him. “Come on, then.”

              With an enraged howl, Reese flung himself at his former partner and screamed in outrage when he deflected the knife just as easy as you please. He had made a fool out of him and now he would pay. He gripped the knife tightly and lunged at Alec again. This time he couldn't deflect so easily and Reese caught his upper arm. The familiar coppery aroma of freshly spilled blood filled the air and Reese began to laugh. He was so going to enjoy this. Alec fell to his knees, grunting in pain, and clutching his shoulder to staunch the flow. “Get up!” Reese shouted and lunged at Alec again, this time intending to slit his throat.

              He had underestimated Reese but only for a moment. Alec had momentarily been caught off guard by Lucy's scream of terror as Reese charged at him with the knife. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. He rose quickly as Reese lunged and caught his arm in mid-strike, twisting his arm behind his back, and knocking the knife out of his hand. Then he shoved the son of a bitch back onto his bony ass. “Why don't we settle this like grown men?” Alec offered. “You best me and you get the girl, the truck, and if you're lucky, Javier might offer you a job. He's always on the lookout for psychotic child killers.”

              Reese giggled with glee and stood up, brushing the dirt off his trousers. ”Do you want to play?”

              “All those children,” Alec said sadly. “How many were there? Fifty? A hundred?”

              “I never kept careful records,” Reese said regretfully and began to chuckle. “I lost count! Can you believe that?” He began to circle Alec like a hungry shark. “I should have taken pictures!”

              “You sick fuck!” Alec hurled viciously, taking a defensive stance. “I'll rip your fucking heart out!”

              “Sticks and stones!” Reese sang brightly, his black eyes taking on an unholy gleam of excitement. “I'd like to see you try!” he tittered and sprang forward.

              Alec caught the clumsy oaf by a sparse thatch of hair and dragged him, kicking and screaming, to the truck. He slammed his head into the rear window. “Like killing children, do you?” he growled and raised Reese's head and slammed it back down again. “Hell is waiting for you, you sick fucker!”

              Reese uttered a pathetic squeal like a hog about to be slaughtered. His forehead gashed open and a steady stream of blood issued forth.

              Lucy flinched at the sound of something bumping up against the truck and peered up to find Reese's mouth squashed against the window. An enraged Alec had him by the hair and Lucy almost felt sorry for the little toad.  Almost. There was a look she had never seen before on her husband's face--a look of murderous determination upon the handsome visage--now almost unrecognizable in its snarl of hate. She watched as if in a dream as Alec slammed his head repeatedly against the window in much the same fashion as Reese had done to her that horrific day. “Go Alec!” she whispered in a little cheer. “Get him!”

              Almost as if he'd heard his wife cheering him on, he gave Reese one last slam for good measure and felt the man slide from his grasp. Reese slid down onto the gravel, whimpering in agony and tried to crawl away. Alec watched the pitiful wretch scurrying away like some wounded animal, but he wasn't about to let him get away so easily. Spying the rope that Reese had dropped, he moved toward it and that's when Reese shot out a leg. Alec grunted, caught off guard and fell back hard.

              Reese crawled on all fours to something he saw gleaming in the moonlight near the bushes. The guns! He'd get them and that English pig would be sorry! They would all be sorry for underestimating him! He was halfway there, when he felt something wrap around his neck.

              “Going somewhere?” Alec snarled and yanked on the rope until he felt it bite into his flesh. “Here, let me help you mate!”

              Lucy was watching the whole thing unfold like some horrific accident in which one could only stare in helpless fascination. Reese had tripped Alec and was crawling towards something, when Alec snared the rope, and began wrapping it around Reese's scrawny neck like a Thanksgiving noose.

              Alec tugged hard, the muscles in his arms straining with the sheer force at having to strangle the little bastard. But still the man clawed at the rope around his neck and continued to breathe. Then mustering the last bit of strength he had, Reese snapped his head back and caught Alec on his chin, making him cry out as teeth sliced into his tongue. Blood filled his mouth and he began choking on the salty swill trickling into his throat. It only served to further enrage Alec, who'd had just about enough of this. He gripped the effete weasel's head in his hands like a soccer ball and gave it a good hard twist to the right, snapping Reese's neck, and ending the nightmares of grieving parents who would never see their children again.

              Alec felt whatever life the little shit had vacating his boneless body, and he fell back onto the ground panting in relief. He glanced up at the darkened sky and saw thousands of stars winking down at him as if in approval, then he heard the truck door opening. “Alec...?” Lucy's voice was urgent, taut with fright. “Are... you all right?”

              “I'm all right, love,” he called to her. He heard her rush over, holding her limp arm in her hand. He stared up at his wife, unseeing. “He's dead,” he declared simply and covered his eyes with his arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-four

 

 

             

The rest of the night was a loud and blinding blur of police cars and ambulances converging on the scene. Lucy sat in shock as the paramedics placed her arm in a sling for transport to the hospital and gave her a shot for the pain. Her eye was completely swollen shut by now and she could hardly breathe through her nose. But most of that was nothing compared to Alec who sat beside her in stoic silence, having his arm bandaged, and answering a plethora of inquires about the dead man in their driveway.

              The sheriff's deputies were a little uncouth in their questioning until Alec finally lost his temper and practically screamed at one of them to fetch something from the truck's glove compartment.

              One little man, who projected an air of authority befitting a Bantam rooster, did as he was asked, and had paled considerably by the time he jogged back. He handed the something to Alec who fished out a laminated card from the black folding wallet. “My warrant card,” he informed them brusquely and flashed them the badge on the other side.

              “Alec?” Lucy was just as curious. “What's going on?”

              “These good men think I just killed somebody in cold blood,” he said, wincing at the words on his swollen tongue. “I'm just showing them I had every right to protect you, love.” The sheriff's deputy tipped his hat with a mumbled apology and scurried off to where the other officers were photographing Reese's body. He handed Lucy the wallet.

              She held it in her lap for a moment before examining the contents. Then she burst out laughing, wincing as she did so. “ Detective Inspector Barrington?' she chuckled in disbelief.

              Her husband frowned and reached up to tuck a tangled lock of hair behind her ear. “And what's so funny about that, wife? It's a very respectable occupation, you know!”

              “I know,” she said, kissing his bruised cheek. “ But why the secrecy? Here I was thinking you were some sort of convict or something!”

              “Oh, I don't know,” he sighed, taking her hand and kissing it tenderly. “I just never got around to it.”

              Her laughter died in her throat, and the recent events of the night came upon her in all its hideous glory. A broken sob emerged as a wet croak and she began to weep, mostly in relief. Alec drew her close and comforted her the best he could. “I told you he'd have to go through me. Didn't I, love?”

              Lucy nodded and reached up to caress his bandaged arm. “You're going to need stitches,” she whispered hoarsely.

              “Hush,” he soothed and helped her up into the ambulance.

              She watched as the sheriff came back to grill Alec one last time, before nodding and shaking his hand. Then the paramedics shooed her husband in with her and they were off to the hospital.

 

              Alec filled out insurance paperwork with his good hand as he waited for them to set Lucy's arm. She'd taken the brunt of Reese's fury and once they'd stitched him up, Alec had called Rudy and told him if he ever wanted to see daylight again, he'd better haul his sorry arse up here.

              It was nearly four in the morning and he was completely knackered. He'd had to contend with the police once more when he got to hospital, and he never wanted to hear the name of Reese ever again. He'd done what he had to; he shouldn't be condemned for it. Local police were the worst. They damned you if you did and damned you if you didn't. You couldn't win.

              He handed off the clipboard to the nurse and waited for Rudy. Alec wanted to have a good long talk with him. Maybe strangle him while he was it. Reese hadn't found them by accident. Someone had to have snitched. And he had a sneaking suspicion it was someone very familiar.

              “How long is it going to be?” he asked the gray-haired charge nurse.

              She smiled up at the handsome young man who looked like he'd been through ten rounds with a bull. “It might take a while. They took her downstairs for X-rays.” She smiled kindly. “You could go to the cafeteria for some coffee, you look like you could use some.”

              “No, I'll wait.” He dropped back into this chair and tried not to nod off. But that's just what he did and found himself being nudged awake by a beautiful angel. “Hey, love,” he smiled sleepily and stretched his long frame.

              “Why didn't you go to the cafeteria?” she sat down beside him and adjusted her sling.

              “I didn't want you to come out thinking I'd abandoned you.”

              “I'd never think that.” She yawned and put her head on his shoulder. ”How were the stitches?”

              He kissed the top of her head. “Horrible! I'll have nightmares for the rest of my life!”

              “How many?”

              “Forty!”

              “Ouch!” she winced and kissed his scruffy cheek. “You need a shave.”

              “I need a drink!”

              “You and me both!” Lucy sighed tiredly. “Where are we going to sleep? I don't think we can go back there.”

              “How's the Ritz-Carlton sound?”

              “Can we afford that?”

              Alec chuckled and winced at his swollen tongue. “I think we can.” He grinned at her. “Unless you'd like to go back to me stepdad’s.”

              She feigned a look of horror. “The Ritz will be fine.” Lucy then thought of something. “How did he find us?”

              “I don't know, love.”

              “And Rudy?”

              Alec got to his feet and helped his wife up. “I'll send him a homing pigeon.” He walked her out to a waiting taxi. “Let's get to bed, wife,” he said, sliding in beside her. He gave the driver the address for the hotel. “We're going to get wrecked and sleep for a week!”

              “Sounds good,” she sighed, resting her head on her husband's shoulder, and nodded off.

              Rudy arrived the next morning, having hightailed it to San Francisco in a former client's private jet. He'd headed straight for the cottage first thing and nearly had a stroke at the carnage that awaited him. The cottage was in shambles, especially the kitchen where Reese had attacked Lucy. The driveway had splashes of blood where Alec had bled and there was a chalk outline denoting the position of Reese's corpse. A sheriff's deputy had driven him to the morgue where he was supposed to identify the body.

              Somehow in that dingy room that reeked of formaldehyde, Rudy had been certain Reese wasn't dead, that the stiffening corpse was some sort of impostor. For the remains of the most prolific child killer Rudy had ever known lay peacefully in his refrigerated drawer. Surely this was not the same horrifying monster that had murdered nearly a hundred children over a twenty-year span; had crossed thirty-three states to get to them; thumbed his nose at every authority known to man; and had nearly ruined Rudy's career.

              No, it couldn't be Milford Reese. But on closer inspection once the sheet was lifted off his swollen face, Rudy breathed a sigh of relief. Reese was dead and Alec had made certain it was a painful trip. Alec had nearly beaten the son of a bitch to death. His face and head bulged awkwardly in all directions, his eyes sank into his skull, and there was a bright red ligature mark around his neck. But Alec hadn't merely strangled him. He'd damn near snapped his head off. He'd made him pay for what he'd done to Lucy, and Rudy felt no grief at his passing. Good riddance to bad rubbish. If only he'd had Alec twenty-years ago. All those children might have been saved, and Rudy's sanity along with it.

              The sheet was lowered again and the body slipped back into its crypt. Rudy filled out the necessary paperwork and informed the coroner that there would be no grieving relatives to claim the body. Reese had started his murderous career at a young age, having stabbed his mother to death at the age of eight and shooting his father in the back when he was fifteen. Any remaining relatives had given up claim on Reese long ago. Rudy decided to do the decent thing and claimed the body himself. He'd arrange for a cremation and scatter the ashes to the four winds.

              With that done, he flew back to San Francisco and took a cab to the hotel where Alec and Lucy were staying. By all accounts, the marriage seemed to be going well. He was happy for them. It had turned out as well could be. He approached their door and knocked.

              He was about to knock again when the door flung open. Alec stood much the worse for wear with various scrapes and bruises. He had his arm bandaged up and his lip was bloodied and swollen. Alec looked none too pleased to see him. Not pleased at all. “Well, you took your sweet time,” he muttered and pulled him in.

              Rudy stood for a moment in shock before gathering his wits. “How's Lucy?”

              “My wife,” Alec growled, emphasizing the word, “had to be sedated at six in the morning thinking that bastard was still trying to get her. How do you think she is?”

              “God, Alec,” Rudy said, loosening his tie. “I don't know what to say.”

              “You could tell me how the little fucker found us. Start with that!”

              “You think I know?”

              “He said you were an alcoholic,” Alec challenged him. “How would he know that?”

              “I don't know!” Rudy cried, flustered at being interrogated like a criminal, and not even trying to deny the accusation either. “All right? I don't know!” Rudy thrust his hands into his pockets and stalked over to the large windows. He peered at the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. “I didn't tell him anything if that's what you're implying.”

              “”How'd he know then?”

              Rudy turned and raked his hand through his salt and pepper hair. “I don't know. We go way back. We knew each other long before you were even born. Just leave it at that.”

              “He had to have gotten the information somehow,” Alec said, going to the bar and pouring himself a drink. He knocked two bourbons back and made Rudy a screwdriver. “Maybe there's a snitch in the police department.”

              “Maybe,” Rudy grunted and gulped down the drink. “There were only three people who knew where you were. You,” he pointed with his glass, “me, and Detective Brandon.”

              “Why would anyone tell that little wanker anything?”

              Rudy drained the last of his drink and flopped down onto a sofa. He rubbed the flesh between his eyes and sighed wearily. “You spend years in this business and you're apt to piss someone off, I guess.”

              Alec sat down beside him and poured some more vodka. “Think someone has a grudge?”

              “Who knows?” Rudy set his empty glass on the antique coffee table. “I guess that's enough.”

              Alec felt sorry for the man who was looking like he'd just seen the devil himself. “See the body?”

              “Yep.”

              “I'm not sorry.”

              “You shouldn't be. He had it coming.”

              “He was going to rape Lucy.”

              “He was?”

              “To get back at you.”

              “Don't!” Rudy groaned and held up his hands. “I know what he was capable of.”

              “I know,” Alec sighed, and felt the start of a murderous headache. “Have you had breakfast?”

              “Nah, I don't think I can eat anything.”

              Alec stood up and peered toward the bedroom where Lucy slept. “She's got a broken arm, black eye, split lip. She'll be asleep for a while. Let's go and get something to eat and you can fill me in.”

              “I don't know if you're strong enough to hear it all. I've tried to forget and I can't.”

              Alec steered him toward the foyer and made him wait while he checked on his wife. He came back and handed Rudy something. “He had this on him.”

              Rudy turned it over in his hands. It was Lucy's compact. “I gave this to her for her eighteenth birthday.” He glanced up at Alec. “Why'd he want this?”

              “You tell me,” Alec said, pushing him gently out the door and walking him to the elevators. “Any significance?”

              “This?” Rudy turned it over in his hands.  The silver had long since tarnished, but Lucy's initials were still plain as day. “I bought this from Tiffany's.” He handed it back to Alec. “Why would it?”

              “Because before it all happened, she was looking for it and couldn't find it.” He tucked it back into his pocket. “We were going on a real date.”

              “Oh?”

              “Yeah, I thought I'd take her out proper like.”

              “And how is that going by the way?”

              Alec's handsome brows lifted. “Are you asking me about my love life?”

              “Nah, I just want her to be happy. She hasn't been for a long time. Not since her mom...” he trailed off.

              “Um...actually,” Alec scratched his nose self-consciously, “we've been having a sort of belated honeymoon.”

              “Is that right?” Rudy was grinning like a damn fool.

              “Yes, that's right!” Alec snapped. “And why shouldn't we? We're married!”

              Rudy laughed then. Really laughed. It felt good. “Yes,” he said, struggling to keep a straight face and patting Alec on the back, “I know.”

              They left the elevator and went to have breakfast. Then Rudy told him all about Milford Reese. And any qualms or regrets that Alec might have had about wasting the bastard on the spot were permanently laid to rest with the knowledge that the monster couldn't hurt Lucy anymore and innocent children were free to sleep safely in their beds.

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

 

Chapter Twenty-five

 

 

             

Lucy and Alec returned to Los Angeles with heavy hearts. On the plane ride back, she bemoaned their short-lived honeymoon. “I'm going to miss our little cottage,” she said sadly.

              “There'll be other cottages,” he'd promised and laced his fingers through hers. “I can hardly wait to show you off to mum.”

              “Well,” she told him, mussing his hair, “better put me back together before you do!”

              “Yes, ma'am!” he'd grinned and caressed her cast.

              They arrived tired and drained despite being flown in a private jet. All they wanted to do was sleep. So Rudy had offered up his beach house in Malibu. After saying their farewells with Rudy promising to investigate the leak that had brought Reese to their door, he handed them the keys. “Take care of yourself, kiddo,” he said and kissed Lucy on the cheek.

              “You act as if you're never going to see me again!” she exclaimed. “We'll visit in a few weeks. And say hello to Tia for me.”

              “I will!” He smiled at her and took Alec's hand. “How long do you reckon on staying?”

              “Oh, I don't know.” Alec shrugged, winking at his wife. “There are a lot of loose ends to tie up. Maybe a month or more.”

              “Careful of those loose ends,” Rudy admonished and without further ado, drove off.

              “What was all that about?” Lucy said to her husband. “He acts like he's never going to see me again!”

              Alec opened the door and carried his wife inside. He set her down. “I think he's afraid after everything's said and done, I'll whisk you away to some castle in England.”

              She slid her arm around his waist and peered up at him. “Do you have a castle in England that I don't know about?”

              “Just a small one,” he grinned down at her, and kissed her lightly on the lips. 

              She kissed him back and he released her. They stood in the middle of Rudy's house with something akin to awe. “Wow! When did he get this place?” Lucy said. “This is nicer than that place he had in Del Mar.”

              “Maybe he wanted a place to bring the ladies.”

              “I don't know,” she said, flouncing down onto a wicker chair. She settled her aching back into the cushion. “I don't know where'd he find the time. He's always working.”

              “It's a shame. He's shouldn't be alone.” Alec fetched their luggage and set the bags down.

              “After the last marriage, he swore he'd never marry again.”

              “What happened?” He asked and knelt down before her.

              Lucy rolled her eyes at the memory of that horrid woman. “She tore his heart out and stomped on it.”

              “How'd she do that?” Alec bent down and kissed her knee.

              Sighing at his touch, she said, “She slept with some actor. I can't recall the name.” She burst into a fit of giggles as Alec nuzzled her neck. “We can't!” she told him.

              He grinned up at her. “And why not?”

              “As a husband, these things should no longer come as a surprise.” She blushed furiously.

              Alec's brows drew together in confusion before he got the implication. “Oh!” he laughed with some embarrassment. “Well, it doesn't exclude cuddles does it?”

              “No,” she smiled and kissed the tip of his perfect nose. “It doesn't exclude cuddles.”

              “Good!” he said and helped her up. “Let's go for a tour, shall we?” He offered his arm.

              Lucy took it and they did a quick walk-through of the house which included three bedrooms, a gourmet kitchen, private beach, and huge walk-in shower. He leered at her.

              “As soon as that cast comes off, want to christen the shower?”

              She blushed and giggled. “I think we should save that for special occasions.”

              “Such as…?”

              “Birthdays and anniversaries!”

              “Come here!” he growled and scooped her up gently. Alec carried her to the first bedroom he came to and set her tenderly on the bed. He stretched out beside her and held her close. “I love you, Mrs. Barrington,” he whispered.

              She reached up and caressed his dear face, loving him even more in this moment. “The feeling is mutual, Mr. Barrington.”

              He lowered his head and kissed her.

 

* * *

              Alec decided it was high time he told Lucy about Gavin, but was a little uncertain as to how to go about it. One just didn't come out and lay it all on the table and hope for the best. No, if he was going to tell her, he'd better do it in a way where he wouldn't have to look into her lovely face and see the disgust and maybe, even horror. It was all so distressing. But since they were married and determined to go through life as one, there should be no secrets between them. So he'd finally gotten up the nerve to go into one of those places and rent a few DVD's.

              He sat her down one Saturday night and popped it in, hoping Rudy had insurance.

              “Better sit down for this, love,” he said, feeling sick to his stomach. “It's pretty bad.”

              “For goodness sakes!” Lucy said in exasperation. “What are you carrying on about?”

              “I have a...”

              “A what?”

              “Um,” he looked toward the ceiling for divine intervention and finding none, pushed play. “I have...a brother.”

              “Is that all?” she said, relieved. “For a moment I thought you had another wife stashed away in an attic somewhere.”

              As soon as the movie began, he watched the myriad emotions playing about Lucy's face. First there was bemusement, then curiosity, and then...horror.

              He hung his head in abject defeat as Gavin appeared on screen and began taking his kit off. Soon his brother and a buxom redhead were going at it in every position known in the annals of the Kama Sutra and then some.

              Lucy's hand flew to her eyes. “Turn it off, Alec!” When she'd recovered from the shock, she found Alec hanging his head in shame. “Alec?” She went to him and knelt down.

              “Alec, look at me.”

              He shook his head and then raised his head with reddened eyes. “Gavin ran away from home when he was fourteen. I've been trying to find him since.”

              “Oh, my love,” she soothed and reached for him. His arms tightened around her and he clutched her to him, weeping into her shoulder. “Why didn't you tell me?”

              “It's not something you bandy about to a girl you just met,” he choked.  “‘You want to get married and have a baby?  Oh, and by the way, my little brother takes his kit off for a living!’”

              “You didn't have to carry all this by yourself! I would have helped you.”

              “I didn't know how to tell you,” he sighed in agony, “It'll kill mum, with her just out of hospital.”

              “What's wrong with her?” she asked, stroking his hair as she would a child.

              He pulled back a little, still unable to meet her eyes. “She had breast cancer six months ago and she's just done with chemo. She lost all her hair.”

              Lucy smoothed the tears away as he did when he wanted to comfort her. “Was it bad?”

              “They caught it in time, but the doctors wanted to make sure, you know?”

              “But she's all better now?”

              “No, not really, “ he sniffed and allowed his wife to wipe his nose. “She worries about Gavin constantly. More so now than ever.”

              She reached out for the DVD case on the coffee table and examined it. “Jimmy de Wilde,” she read. “That's some moniker.”

              “Yeah, but that's one of his earliest films. I think he's trying to go mainstream now.”

              “You're not sure?”

              He leaned forward. “Well, I finally found him at a studio in Burbank trying out for a bit part on some TV show. But his manager has got this tree of a man as a bodyguard and threw me down the stairs. That's how I broke---”

              “---your leg?” she finished for him gently.

              Alec nodded and leaned his head back, rubbing his eyes. “That was after we got married. I was feeling so sorry for myself after you up and left me that I got reckless.”

              “I left you?” she plopped down onto his lap and smiled when he grunted at her weight. “Well, I didn't know what happened. It was all so sudden.”

              He caressed her thigh. “It was.”

              “Well, I'm not sorry about it. Are you?”

              He grinned up at her, catching his breath at her simple beauty. “What do you think?”

              “What are you going to do about him?” Lucy leaned down and kissed his brow and stroked his cheek. She rested her head on his shoulder, feeling the tension leaving his body.

              “I don't know,” he sighed finally. “He won't see me.”

              Her head shot up in surprise. “He knows you're here?”

              “Of course he does, the little bugger. He knew it as soon as he saw me lying flat on my arse.”

              “That's awful. I don't think I like him.”

              He chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. “Down, wife!” Then he sobered. “I don't think it's personal, I just think---”

              “Think what?”

              “I think maybe he's ashamed.”

              “What's he got to be ashamed of?”

              “Exactly!”

              “Have you been able to talk to him at all?”

              “Nah and Pat won't get off my back about it either.”

              “Pat?”

              “Stepdad.”

              “Oh.”

              Alec held his wife to him for a long moment and then the idea came to him. “Want to go out?”

              “On a date?” she smiled and ruffled his hair.

              “Certainly. Dinner and a movie?” he suggested. “My treat.”

              “It better be your treat!” she got off her husband's lap and glanced down at herself critically. “I'll have to change.”

              “Wear what you have on, “ he gestured towards her outfit of denim capris and red peasant blouse. “It's pretty.”

              “Really?”

              “Sure,” he checked his watch. “If we leave now we can make the matinee.”

              “Okay,” she agreed. “Just let me tidy myself first.” Lucy hurried to their bedroom to brush her hair and decided it was too far-gone to mess with. She tied it back with a pretty scarf and pinched her cheeks for some color. She was still too pale. Then she met up with her husband who gave her a wolfish whistle. “Oh, stop!” she laughed. “I'm a mess!”

              “You look smashing and don't you forget it!”

              She batted her eyes at her handsome husband and allowed him to escort her to the car. The truck had been traded in for something a little less ostentatious. But she knew it was because of the memories associated with it that was the real reason. She wasn't the least bit sorry. The green sedan was more in keeping with their simple tastes and Alec told her once they got back to London, he was going to buy one just like it.

              He buckled his seatbelt and turned towards his wife. “Where to, my darling?”

              Lucy thought for a moment. “Pizza!”

              Alec started the car and stepped on the gas. “Pizza it is.”

 

              They sat in a corner booth making sizable progress through a large ricotta and spinach pie and laughed at each other when the cheese ended up on their chins.

              “I wonder if the owner will give me the recipe,” Lucy wondered and reached for another slice.

              “I doubt it love,” her husband chuckled and took another slice himself. “Can you make pizza?”

              “I tried to once,” she said after a sip of her iced tea. “But Tia couldn't scrape it off the ceiling.”

              “Oh, I'm sure it was delicious.”

              “I don't know if raw dough qualifies as delicious. But I suppose I can give it another whirl. Just don't expect me to toss the thing into the air. It might land on your head.”

              “Stop, wife,” he laughed. “I'm trying to eat.”

              “Then eat and then buy me some dessert.”

              “Sure thing, love. But I wish you'd tell me why you wanted to be a nurse when you wanted to study archaeology instead.”

              “You don't want to hear all that! It's so boring.”

              He finished his pizza and brushed the crumbs off the table. “No, really love. I want to know.”

              “Well,” she began, swiping her lips with a napkin, “there was simply no money to go study it. I had to pick something that took the least amount of time.”

              “I don't understand, love.” He rested his elbows on the table. “I thought your father was some television mogul or something.”

              “He was,” she sighed. “Until Vivian came along and squandered my trust fund.”

              “How the hell did she do that? I thought there were safeguards in place for that sort of thing.”

              “Dad didn't think that far ahead. He had just married her and he was so busy enjoying himself that he didn't think to change the will. She got everything and mom and I were left with a small settlement after the divorce and most of that went to lawyer fees and hospital bills.”

              Alec sighed heavily, feeling awful that she'd had to go through that. He reached across and took her hand. “I'm sorry, love. I didn't know.”

              “Don't be,” she said shyly and stroked her thumb over his. “If I hadn't been a nurse, I might never have met you.”

              “That's true.” He grinned and touched his lips to her. “But I'm sure we would have found each other sooner or later.”

              “How can you be so sure? I could have ended up as a spinster or something, surrounded by hundreds of cats!”

              “I would never have let that happen! We were made for each other.”

              “Really?” Her eyes glistened with tears.

              “That sounds corny, I know.”

              “No, it doesn't. I feel the same way.”

              “Oh, good,” he sighed in relief. “I was afraid I was making a giant arse out of myself.”

              “Never!” she swore and raised his hand to her lips and kissed it. “You promised dessert!” she reminded him.

              “Is that all you want me for? Sweets?”

              “Let me think,” she tapped her chin lightly and grinned impishly.

              “If we weren't in a restaurant, my love, I'd show you what your impertinence does to me.”

              She leaned forward eagerly. “What does it do?”

              “Later,” he said gruffly and hurried up to satisfy his wife's sweet tooth before he laid her on the table and took her in front of these innocent folks trying to enjoy their pizza. 'Don't tempt me wife! It's been too long.”

              “I know,” Lucy said softly, meeting his eyes. She squeezed his hand gently. 'Too long.”

              He groaned softly and tugged his hand away. The waitress brought their Tiramisu and Lucy ate smiling all the while at Alec, who barely touched his and instead guzzled his water like a dying fish. “You're wicked!” he accused softly.

              “But you love me 'cause I'm so wicked!”

              Alec burst out laughing and pushed his plate towards his wife, who gladly polished it off with relish.

              “Have you decided what movie we're seeing?”

              “I haven't decided yet. What do you want to see?”

              “I'm not picky. Something where we can sit in the back row and neck!”

              “Is that an invitation?”

              “Do you need one?”

              “I think sometimes I do.”

              “Would you stop!” she scolded him lightly and finished her tea. “You're being silly! I wish you'd stop doing that to yourself!”

              “I can't help it, “ he said, as they rose and paid their bill. “I feel like the some sort of letch.”

              “What?” she hissed when he led her back into the mall. “Why did you say that?”

              He caught her hand and raised it to his lips. “It was your first time.”

              “So? It had to happen sometime.”

              “But it should have been special. I know I hurt you.”

              “Stop it!” Lucy said softly, caressing his roughened cheek. He hadn't shaved that morning. “You were very careful with me.”

              “I was bombed out of my mind!”

              “So was I!”

              “That's no excuse.”

              She pressed her fingers against his mouth, refusing to hear any more. “Stop it! I’m not sorry. And anyway, I meant it for you.”

              He kissed her fingers, feeling that great heaviness in his chest again. Alec was torn between shouting for joy and screaming through the mall like a madman. “You did?” he said once he could finally speak.

              “I always wanted my husband to know that he was the first.” She whispered reaching up to stroke his cheek lovingly and he closed his eyes. “And you were.”

              “But what about...him?” Alec finally forced himself to mention the man who'd broken Lucy's heart. “You were going to marry him.”

              “I was going to leave him at the altar!” Lucy admitted, surprising Alec as well as herself. “I don't think I could have gone through with it.”

              Alec was gobsmacked at her confession. “But---”

              “Every time he would try to kiss me, I would get this horrible sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.”

              “Then why---?”

              '”I was lonely and I'd been alone for so long that I thought he was the only one out there.”

              “Lucy, I---” he began and she shushed him.

              “Hush your mouth, darling,” she ordered gently. “Now take your wife to a movie and buy her some popcorn!”

              “B-But you just ate!” he sputtered, not really capable of anything resembling coherent speech at the moment.

              “Don't you want me to gain weight?” she asked, tugging at her baggy peasant top in dismay. “How will I ever get pregnant if I have the physique of a ten-year old boy?”

              “Are we trying to get pregnant?”

              “Aren't we?”

              Alec wasn't sure if they should be trying for a baby just yet with Lucy still on the mend, but if she wanted him to assist her in her quest, then who was he to argue with her? Besides there were some aspects of baby-making that were just too pleasant to pass up.               He smiled at his wife and offered his arm. “You know wife, I think you just may be on to something.”

 

              After the movie ended, they milled out of the theatre wondering how the hero could have been so stupid. “That muppet deserved what he got, he didn't even try to hide!”

              “Well, there aren't too many places to hide in a cabin,” she laughed. “What would you have done?”

              “Oh, I don't know. Scream like a little girl and head for the hills.”

              Lucy shook her head at her husband and they strolled casually hand and hand through the mall, peering into windows and walking away, shocked at the high cost of living.

              Then they happened upon an antique shop and on display in the window, there was a swinging cradle. It was beautifully crafted from rosewood with intricate carvings along the sides and headboard. Lucy took one look and turned away, tears filling her eyes.

              Alec understood; he was a little teary-eyed himself. “Let's go home, wife,” he said, wiping her eyes with his handkerchief. “I'll let you beat me at Scrabble.”

              “You wish!” she giggled and punched his arm lightly. “Be nice and I might go easy on you.”

              “Or maybe I'll just play hard to get!”

              'That'll work too.”

              “What'll you give me if I win?”

              “Beat me and find out, English!”

              “I just might do that,” he chuckled.

              They drove home and Lucy beat him so badly that Alec swore off the game and threatened to tickle her if she ever told anyone. “You're being silly!” she said and her eyes widened as her husband rose from his chair with an evil gleam in his eye. “You wouldn't dare!”

              “Come here, wife and take your medicine!”

              She backed away slowly. “Now Alec, be nice. I can't help it if I have a large vocabulary. I'm an awful bookworm!”

              “That may be so,” he said with a leering grin, “but you're still getting tickled.”

              Giggling, she tried to get away, and made a mad dash for the bedroom. But she wasn't fast enough for her husband who caught her, tossed her on the bed, and proceeded to tickle her mercilessly. “Give up?”

              “Never!” she gasped through tears of laughter.

              He tickled her some more until they were both exhausted. Alec rested his head on her chest and felt her hand running through his hair. Then he stretched out beside her and held her close, listening to the reassuring beat of her heart.

 

              The cast finally came off much to Lucy's relief, and Alec wanted to take her out to dinner to celebrate. She'd didn't have much in the way of dresses and had to go out and buy one. While she was at it, she decided she might as well chop off her hair too. Alec was dead set against it.

              “I like your hair the way it is,” he insisted as he drove her along Rodeo Drive. “I like running my hands through it.”

              Lucy picked up a limp strand and eyed it dubiously. “It's a hassle and I'm too tired to mess with it in the morning. Don't worry, I won't shave it all off!”

              “Shave it?” he repeated in horror. “You wouldn't dare!”

              “I don't know what I'm going to do with it. I'll leave that to Marco.”

              He stopped at a red light, observing the lunchtime crowd of bored housewives teetering along on designer heels. “How can they walk in those stilts?” he grumbled. “How is that humanly possible?” One middle-aged woman in skinny jeans dropped her shopping bag and nearly fell onto her plastic face, balancing on one vertiginous heel to retrieve it.

              Nothing had changed much since Lucy was kid. Everything was much the same since the days when Vivian used to drag her up and down these streets, tossing her father's hard-earned money away. “It takes a lot of practice,” she told him, trying to scrub the memory away from her mind.

              The light changed and Alec turned onto the next street. “So, who's this Marco anyway?”

              “He used to cut Viv's hair,” she said. “But they had a falling out a few years ago.”

              “Oh? What happened?”

              “I can't remember what he said exactly, but I think it had something to do with him reminding her that her roots needed a touch-up.”

              “Why'd she get bent over that?”

              “He said it at a dinner party in front of over a hundred guests!”

              “Ouch!”

              Lucy laughed at the memory of Vivian shrieking in a high rage and chasing down poor Marco, all the while flinging her best champagne goblets at his bleached blonde head.  “You should have seen her face!”

              “I wish I could have seen that.” He pulled up in front of the salon and idled the engine. Alec took out his credit card. “Here, love.”

              “Oh no,” she cried in dismay, feeling bad about taking his money even though they were married. “I have some... money.”

              He made a face and pushed the card into her hand and closed her fingers over it. “I insist.”

              “But---!”

              “Don't argue with me woman!” He unbuckled her and opened her door. “Go splurge on yourself. You've earned it.”

              Lucy clasped the card in her hand, still uncertain. “You're sure?”

              He groaned in frustration. “Look at it!” he ordered.

              “Huh?” She did as he asked and looked at the card. Her married name was printed neatly on it. “M-Mine?”

              Alec gave her a quick kiss and nudged her out gently. “Go buy something expensive!”

              She clambered out and stood on the curb. “Where will you be?”

              “There’re a few things I've got to do. I'll be back in an hour.”
              “Alec, you are not going back there!” she protested. “What if he won't see you?”

              He shrugged. “This is the last time I'm going to ask. After that he's on his own.”

              The car door shut and she called out to him as he revved the engine. “Stay away from tall trees!”

              Her husband laughed and waved goodbye and Lucy was left standing in the mid-afternoon sunshine. She let out a breath, tucked the card into her jean pocket, and went inside.

              It had been ten years since she last stepped into Marco's immaculate salon. This was the sort of place where you just didn't make an appointment. There was a waiting list and they called you. If she hadn’t played the Vivian’s stepdaughter card, she might have had to wait till doomsday.

              Lucy felt out of place in her faded jeans, boat neck top, and cheap espadrilles she'd bought off a clearance rack. Her hair she'd tied back in a scarf and she wore not a scrap of makeup. Now she knew how Julia Roberts felt in Pretty Woman.

              “Excuse me,” came a female voice oozing with disdain. “Can I help... you?”

              “Um, I have an appointment with Marco,” she told the cool blonde who eyed Lucy as if she were some bag lady who wandered in from the street.

              The blonde flipped her hair back with a finely manicured hand and said icily, “Oh, really?”

              “Yes, really!” Lucy said defensively, crossing her arms over her chest, and wondering why she didn't have the good sense to go to the five-dollar salon like normal people. At least they didn't stare you down like you were a member of a rodent infestation. “Where is Marco?” she demanded, striving for Vivian's haughty demeanor and failing miserably no doubt, from the look of the resulting smirk that curved the woman's crimson mouth.

              “I'll get him, “ she sneered and sashayed off like a runway model.

              Muttering under her breath, Lucy surveyed the Art Deco theme of the salon. It was tastefully decorated in rich reds and blacks with parquet flooring. There were several women getting their usual weekly maintenance of manicures and blowouts. She thought she recognized a well-known actress and the girl caught Lucy's eye and gave her a dressing- down with just her eyes.

              A cold lump settled in Lucy's throat. This had been a bad idea. She turned to leave when she was stopped by Marco's high-pitched voice. “Lucy girl, is that you?” he said in disbelief, nearly running towards her.

              “Hey, little man,” she said, tossing her old nickname for him at his head. “It's me.

              He held her at arm's length to get a good look at her and frowned when he saw her tears. “Why are you crying? Has someone upset my girl?”

              “Well,” she said, feeling foolish at having let that woman get to her, “I shouldn't be here.”

              Marco clicked his tongue in dismay and hugged her, enveloping Lucy in a comforting cloud of expensive cologne. “Nonsense!” he protested and steered her toward a chair. He urged her to sit and had an assistant bring her a glass of wine. “Did Toni say something to you? If she did, I'll rip her hair out by the roots!”

              “Well, I'm not exactly dressed for the occasion,” she said and sipped the rose'.

              “Honey, please!” he said with an exaggerated eye-roll. “You put Angelina to shame!”

              “I wouldn't go that far,” she laughed, touching the scar on her forehead self-consciously. She glanced at Marco who hadn't noticed or if he had, was too polite to mention it. Lucy smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He exuded the outgoing confidence of a Hollywood fashionista with the spiky bleached blonde 'do, but he'd added a goatee in a darker shade. Diamond studs winked from his earlobes, and he was wearing a black leather vest over a crisp white shirt and bright red skinny jeans. “I want to cut my hair,” she confessed finally.

              He gasped in horror and smoothed the silky locks. “That's criminal! Your hair is so gorgeous I'm jelly.”

              “It's a pain to manage. I was thinking an inch or two since my husband will kill me if I whack it all off!”

              “You're married?”

              Lucy nodded shyly.

              “Details!” he said and whipped out a cape and draped it around her. “How long have you known this Prince Charming?”

              “ A few months.”

              “Months?”

              “It was all so sudden.”

              “They always are,” he sniffed in dismay. “I'm all alone!”

              “I'm sure there are plenty of guys just waiting for you to sweep them off their feet.”

              “In this town?” he said, grimacing in disgust. “They're either married; gay and don't know it; gay and want to hide it; or into girls and want to try on another size and decide they don't like the fit, so they pay some little man to make it all go away!” Marco winced at that memory. “And you know me, I'm very sensitive.”

              “It's hard finding someone who isn't in the business.” Marco tilted her head from side to side to get a better view of what he was working with. “Maybe you should find yourself a librarian or something.”

              Marco bristled at the suggestion. “I have standards, missy! I want excitement not a coma!”

              They both laughed and Lucy sat up straight. “Well? Can you make me gorgeous?”

              Marco grinned at her in the mirror. “He'll drop dead when he sees you.”

              “Let's not go that far,” she said in mock horror. “Maybe a little color or something? I'm so pale.”

              “Leave everything to me, honey!” he promised. “You'll look like a star when I'm through with you!”

 

              She sat under the dryer thumbing through last year's fashion must-haves, wondering how anyone with any sense or good taste for that matter, would want to pay good money for a gown that resembled something that looked like it came out of a wood chipper.

              A glance at her watch informed her that she'd been here nearly four hours! Alec had popped in earlier and seeing his wife's hair standing on end wrapped in foil, had decided he was better off not knowing.

              Lucy laughed at the way Marco had drooled over her husband. “Where'd you find him? He's yummy!”

              “Isn't he?” she sighed dreamily. “I won him in Vegas!”

              Marco clucked approvingly. “Better not let her see him.”

              “Have you seen her lately?” Lucy asked, not really interested but making small talk.

              Marco turned a delightful shade of puke green. “Don't ask! I haven't seen her since the Emmy after-party. She was wearing what's-his-face, Dragon.”

              “His name is Draco!” she offered, giggling at Marco's discomfort. “I heard.”

              “Well, you missed the part where his wife caught them in flagrante.”

              “No!” she gasped at this juicy tidbit of gossip. If you ever needed to find out where Hollywood hid its skeletons, Marco was your go-to guy. “What happened?”

              Marco began removing the foil. “The Mrs. came out like a bat out of hell and pounced on ole Viv like something out of Fatal Attraction.”

              “What happened then?”

              He chuckled to himself and bent low so no one could hear. “She tore her dress off!”

              “What's so horrible about that?”

              “She wasn't wearing any underwear!”

              Lucy burst out laughing at the image of poor Vivian standing all by herself sans knickers. “Was this in public or in private?”

              “”Everyone in China now knows that Viv's carpet doesn't match the drapes!”

              “Oh, that's horrible!” Lucy's hands flew to her reddened face. “She must have been mortified!”

              “You know, that's what I've always loved about you, Lucy girl...”

              “What?”

              “You're so sweet and she's such a miserable bitch!”

              “Oh, I don't know,” she said and tilted her head. “I can be a bitch.
              “Yes, but you're not vicious. She's like a viper on a chain.” He began combing her hair. “She's always been jealous of you.

              “What?”

              He nodded. “She's always had to work at looking that great and you're a natural beauty. She couldn't stand it.”

              Lucy sat in shock. She'd known Vivian resented her, but she'd always assumed it was because of her father. Vivian was known as one of the most beautiful women in the world, how could she be jealous of her?  “Jealous of me?” she pointed to herself. “Me?” she repeated incredulously. “The black crow?”

              “Is that what she called you?” Marco demanded in outrage. “That bitch!”

              “Well, I was scrawny as a kid.”

              “But look at you now!” he smiled and pulled out the hairdryer. “You're a swan!”

              She tilted her head to one side, studying her reflection critically. “A black swan is more like it.”

              “Never look a gift horse in the mouth, “ he said primly and urged her head down. He pulled the brush expertly through her hair, and Lucy tried to think of what kind of dress she should get.

 

              Two hours later, Marco had finally allowed her to view the results of his handiwork. She had to admit, the man was an artist. He'd colored her hair a deep rich cocoa with warm highlights of chestnut and auburn. It warmed her complexion considerably. He'd also gone ahead and given her a fringe to hide the scar. Then he'd softened the effect by adding long layers and freed of the weight, her hair fell into its natural wave. He'd cut about three inches off, and Lucy found she liked having shoulder length hair. She only hoped Alec would approve.

              Marco had refused payment and had packed up a bag of his signature hair products to try at home. She kissed him on the cheek and thanked him profusely. He'd been so embarrassed that he'd actually blushed. He made her promise to call him personally next time and as Lucy left, she could swear the blonde eyed her with something akin to envy.

              Once outside, she saw it was getting late, so she headed for the first boutique that caught her eye. The saleswoman had been about as helpful as scurvy and as Lucy was pressed for time, she grabbed a black lace number without looking at the price tag and nearly fell on the floor when the dress rang up costing two thousand dollars.

              Lucy reluctantly handed over her card and winced as the girl scanned it. She half expected it to be rejected but breathed a sigh of relief when the card went through. Adding insult to injury was a pair of three hundred dollar black strappy sandals and silk hose to match. And since she had a new dress, why not wear new underwear as well? So a black lacy bra and matching panties were added to the damage.

              Alec would kill her but at least she'd look great while he did it.

              She rushed out of the store, her new credit card burning a hole in her pocket. Alec drove up to the curb, and she was reminded of that night when he picked her up his jeep.               The car interior was illuminated briefly and she caught a glimpse of Alec's face as he took in her new hairdo.

              “Well?” she asked once she was buckled in. “What do you think?”

              “I don't know yet, “ he said as he drove off. “Did you get a dress?”

              “Yes and no.”

              “Yes, you did or no, you didn't?

              “Well, that all depends on what you budgeted for it.”

              He laughed uneasily. “I suppose I'll find out when I get the bill.”

              “Uh-huh.”

              “Well, we'll go home to freshen up and then I'll take you out to dinner.”

              “Where are we going?”

              “It's a secret.”

              “Well, I hope they have steak. I'm starving!”

              “That and then some, wife!” he said, and they both burst out laughing.