Broken Hearted (8 page)

She could remember all those blissful nights filled
with hot, steamy sex. Her and Cash loved completely, until one day
he left without a single word and never returned. He broke her
heart, and she’d, under no circumstances, ever be able to trust him
again. However, she’s certain she wouldn’t have to worry about
trusting him again. He wouldn’t stay in town long enough to wound
her again.

The room started to close in on her. Faith focused
on the exit sign above his head, trying not to have a panic attack.
She couldn’t seem to get a handle on her life since the day she was
abducted and tortured. She needed to remember this was a job. She
wondered if Cash had anything to do with this operation. Trey
started to introduce him.

Cash said, “Well, well, if it isn’t my sweet baby
Faith. I’ve thought of you some many times.” He seized her and gave
her a big hug.  “You haven’t changed a bit.”

Faith knew she’d changed, but she doesn’t care what
he thought right now. Her feelings were running rampant. Her heart
was hammering out of her chest. She began to realize she’s growing
weak. Something’s not right, she felt flush too.

He said, “Guess who is coming up behind me? You know
her too! She grew up with you, it’s Roni Moore. She’s the beautiful
voice you heard singing in the band.”

Truthfully, she didn’t hear a word Roni sang, but
said, “Oh, my goodness, Roni, hi!” Faith offered her a hug. She
could tell Roni’s stoned out of her mind. Faith fought the
irritation that soared through her. Roni was still the same girl
who’s a punk rocker that wore all black leather. Earrings lining
one whole ear and a nose ring, that’s Roni.

Trey stepped in to assist Faith. “So you all know
each other? That’s great. I’m no good at introductions anyway.”

She reached her hand out to the drummer of the band.
“I don’t think we’ve met.”

He timidly spoke, “No, we haven’t met before, and my
name is Eli Bentley. You must be Faith, Trey’s girlfriend,
right?”

“
Yes, I am, Trey and I’ve been
together for….”

Trey broke in saying, “For a couple of months
now.”

Faith breathed in deeply knowing she almost messed
up. She announced, “Hey, let’s sit down and play catch up. Roni,
you sit beside me so we can talk for a while.”

The jam-packed room appeared to be getting smaller
and smaller. Faith couldn’t hear the conversations at the end of
the table. Trey must had turned off his earpiece. She heard bits
and pieces of what he and Cash were talking about. Cash loved to
chat about himself, she saw that hadn’t changed. Roni was so eager
to see Faith.

She said, “What’ve you been doing lately? Daddy told
us you were some big detective in Indianapolis, but it doesn’t look
like that to me. I wish he could see you now.”

“
Where is your sister Dawn now? I
haven’t heard from her in so long.” Dawn was Faith’s best friend
all through school.

Roni, matter of factually tells Faith. “Didn’t you
hear about Dawn? She kept saying someone was going to kill her. She
had plastic surgery on her face, totally changing her appearance.
You knew she got married and had a three-year-old little boy,
didn’t you? She was my sister, but she started acting crazy and
became extremely paranoid. We received the call about six months
ago that she had shot herself.”

Shocked and saddened Faith exclaimed, “No, why
didn’t someone call me. I would’ve been there for you, Roni. I
wouldn’t have missed my best friend’s funeral.”

Roni looks so lost and confused. “Daddy said since
Dawn lived in Indianapolis that you were the detective taking care
of her case. I’m sorry, Faith, we thought you knew.”

Faith wondered why Roni was calling Mr. Moore daddy.
She hated him just like Dawn and Faith did. He made them call him
Mr. Moore, something doesn’t add up here.

Faith couldn’t believe this night! Too many people
from her past have surfaced at the same time.

Now trying to process Dawn’s death, Faith knew
exactly the case Roni’s talking about. It’s still considered and
unsolved murder. She worked the case with her new partner after
Trey left. They didn’t find even a suspect in her case. The crime
scene was wiped clean. She glanced at Trey, she knew by the blank
stare on his face, he already knew about Dawn. The crime scene was
too clean because somehow he helped clean it up. She had looked
into the lifeless face of her best friend and didn’t even recognize
her. Why did Trey keep all of that a secret from her?

Faith realized she is going to be sick.

“
I’ll be back in a minute, Roni.”
She got up to leave.

Trey grabbed her hand and said, “Faith baby, where
are you going? If you need a fresh drink, I’ll get it for you.”

She mumbled, “I’m going to the restroom. I can do
that myself.”

He smiled. “Hurry back, sweetie, or I’ll miss
you.”

She couldn’t get away from the table fast enough.
She barely reached the restroom before she became violently ill.
Faith washed her face and reapplied her makeup and lipstick. She’s
reflecting back on the night. No wonder she was so emotional. Cash
came back into her life again just when she began to think she and
Trey could have a life together someday. Then she found out she
worked on Dawn’s murder case and didn’t even recognize her. Trey
had been keeping way too many secrets lately. And it’s obvious he
knew that she was working Dawn’s case. This night just kept getting
crazier by the minute. Faith knew all she needed to do was settle
down and see where this night would take her. She stumbled from the
bathroom right straight into Cash’s arms.

“
Wow, girl! I’ve been trying to
find you.” Cash exclaimed, as he shoves her back into the restroom
and locked the door.

Faith listened to Trey in her ear. “Where are you,
Faith? Guys, she’s not answering. Start looking for her.”

She had to think fast realizing she had to stop them
from coming after her. She had a job to do tonight and her
emotional roll-a-coaster was making it hard to think. She needed to
be with Cash, if only for a few moments. Faith needed to listen to
what he had to say.

She cautioned. “Settle down, Cash, I’m all right.”
Hoping Trey understood what she meant. Faith made out a voice that
sounded familiar, but she couldn’t place it.

“
You’re doing great, Faith. Let us
know where you’re and we’ll settle down.”

She told Cash, “You know it’s not nice to shove me
back into the restroom and lock the door. What do you want with
me?”

He smiled. “I need you, Faith. Remember, I always
get what I want and no one will ever stop me.” He started to reach
for her as she threw him off balance, knocking him into the wall.
She twisted his shirt in her hand, choking him until she saw his
face turning a deep shade of red.

Faith laughed. “Now, I get what I want, Cash! Don’t
forget it!”

They glared into each other’s eyes. That old
familiar sensation was back in the depths of her stomach. Faith
became aware of the fact that she’s not the young and childish girl
she was so many years ago. She didn’t intend to do whatever he said
any more. She’s trying to take control of her life and be her own
person. Nevertheless, he hurt her so terribly she deserved some
answers. Tonight wasn’t the night to discuss their past, but soon,
very soon.

He cocked his head to the side with a half-smile, he
said, “Okay, baby, have it your way. What do you want me to do now,
sweetie?”

All Faith could do was slap him in the face. He
stared at her and she slapped him again, this time even harder.

He laughed. “Oh, Faith, I didn’t know I enjoyed pain
until you gave it to me.” He kneeled on the restroom floor
capturing her hand and lowering his head. “Faith, baby, I’m so
sorry I hurt you. I’ll never forgive myself for allowing you to
go.”

Faith caught the emotion in his voice. She couldn’t
handle the horrendous pain that was flooding her heart. She
clutched the handle to the restroom door, unlocking it, and
knocking Cash to the floor as she ran out. She heard him thump
backwards into the wall. She stopped only for a second, wishing she
could go back and talk the night away with him like they used to.
However, she knew she must get her thoughts together. She needed
the fresh night air to clear and erase Cash from her mind and her
heart. She started to march to the table towards Trey but continued
her walk straight for the exit sign. She recognized if she didn’t
get outside and away from Cash, if only for a few minutes, she’d
set back this whole operation.

As she walked out the back door of the bar, she
wondered what the future had in store for her with Trey and Cash.
She hungered to breathe again, love again, most of all to laugh
again. She walked outside feeling weak and all alone with her heart
bleeding inside for the loss of both the men she loved.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Eli

I could become accustom to this part of my job!

Eli watched Faith run from the restroom. At first,
she seemed to be coming to their table, then she headed for the
exit sign. Oh! No! Months of hard work could go straight down the
drain in minutes if she didn’t get control now. Trey stood up to
follow Faith out the back entrance of the bar. Eli pushed him back
down into his seat saying, “I got this buddy she probably needs
some fresh air and I could use some myself before the next set. Sit
here and relax. Get to know Roni and Cash better.”

It’s plain to see he wanted to punch Eli’s lights
out, but thank goodness, he listened. As Eli walked out the back
door in his earpiece he told Trey, “I’ve got this Trey she’ll be
safe. Cody where are you now? Faith left the bar through the back
exit. Position yourself close to us but stay out of sight for
now.”

Then he heard Ty, “Hi, boss, I’m out for an evening
run, heading your way now.”

Eli’s glad to hear Ty’s voice. Ty is Trey’s older
brother and was one of Eli’s best men. Ty was a loner. He would
come in and do his job and be gone before his brothers and sister
could even say thank you.

Eli grabbed Faith’s arm and turned her around to
face him. She struggled with all her might thinking it’s Cash
following her outside. He caught her arms and pulled her into
him.

“
Settle down, Faith, it’s Eli,
you’re okay. I know what happened in the restroom with Cash. Seeing
him again has upset you terribly and we all understand because we
heard your conversation with him. Come back inside with me and
discuss everything with Trey. Faith, don’t ruin months of work.
Think before you let your emotion cause you to run out on this
operation.”

She stared at Eli. “Who are you and what the hell
are you talking about?”

Eli told her, “I’m Trey’s boss and right now, I’m
yours too. So get your crap together. Come on, Faith, concentrate
on all the people who are counting on you inside the bar. Let’s go
back inside and finish what we’ve started here.”

She remembered Trey could still hear what she’s
saying. “Trey, I think you forgot to brief me on everything, you
crazy Whore Bag.”

Eli also heard Trey laughingly say, “I didn’t forget
to tell you, Faith. I only wanted to protect you. Besides, if that
was wrong of me, then yes, you can kick my ass later. Listen to Eli
now and get your butt back in here.”

Eli stiffly straightened and stills. He realized Mr.
Moore is coming down the alley. He exclaimed, “Trey, Mr. Moore is
coming down the alley. Stay where you’re at with Roni. Cody, are
you in position?”

“
Yes, I’m here, but Ty are you
close enough to reach them before me?”

Eli heard Ty. “I’m coming around the corner of
Second Street. I don’t see anyone yet. I have to be closer than
Cody. Oh! Wait, I see everyone now. We can do this, Faith, hang
tight, girl. I’m almost there,”

Eli told Ty, “He’s coming right for us. He’s coming
from Chestnut Street. I’m covering Faith but Ty I sure could use
you.”

“
I’m coming from the other
direction down the alley. We need to let him pass, so don’t stop
him.”

Eli leaned in close to Faith saying, “I’m going to
pull you to me and kiss you. Follow my lead Faith it’s you he’s
after.”

Eli could see how confused she was, still she nodded
her head in agreement. He pulled her to him slowly kissing her. He
could get used to this part of the job. He whispered in her ear,
“Can you reach your gun?”

Faith whispered, “Grab my right leg and lift it up
to your waist. Hold it up. Okay, I got it.”

He turned her around, holding her body against the
wall. He covered her with his body. Kissing her again, he heard Ty
running down the alley. Eli prayed they have timed this right or
they may possibly be in a lot of trouble. The man was virtually on
top of them now. Faith made sure her gun was ready. Eli couldn’t
reach his gun and secure Faith at the same time. He knew she was
ready for anything that might happen. Eli heard Ty.

“
Hey, Eli. What are you two doing
out here?” He ran straight into the man who was ready to pull his
gun to kill both Eli and Faith.

Ty said, “Sorry pal, watch where you’re going.” Ty
came up standing between the man, Faith, and Eli. Ty said, “Can you
see him Faith?”

“
Yes, he’s picked up his speed and
continues walking.”

“
Hey, you better get Trey’s
girlfriend back in there and stop loving all over her. Trey can be
jealous. She’ll have to pay later if he catches the two of you out
here together. She’s drunk so get her back inside.” He ran the
opposite direction away from Mr. Moore. As he sprinted off, we
heard him say, “Cody follow him, and don’t lose him.”

Eli told Faith, “Go back inside the bar and go
straight to the bartender and ask for another drink. Stay there and
listen to him and Roni. She’s taking a break with him.” She nodded
and positioned her gun back under her skirt.