Back To Me (21 page)

27

Heather

              I had heard Billy on the phone and I could tell he was talking with Lauren. My blood boiled when I overheard him asking her to
babysit
me. He and I were supposed to be partners. This little situation was between
us
, and I didn’t want Lauren in the middle of it. I was jealous of her; of the close bond they shared, and I sure didn’t want her in this house, spending the day and carrying on like we were best friends. It just wasn’t going to happen.

              Finally he relented, agreeing to let me stay by myself. I would keep all the doors and windows locked,
and
I would text him every fifteen minutes, just like I promised. I knew Billy wouldn’t leave me for longer than necessary. It was just one afternoon.
What could go wrong?

              I wasn’t crazy about Billy meeting with Blake either, but he was convinced that Blake was on our side. I was uneasy about the whole situation, wondering if it was merely a ploy to lure Billy away. I had become a cynic; only able to think the worst of people. While I
wanted
to believe that Blake was a decent guy, even I knew people could change. Billy, however, had made it clear that he’d do whatever it took to keep me safe, and I knew there was no changing his mind about this.

              Billy seemed uneasy the closer we got to the store. From the corner of my eye I could see him twitching nervously in the seat beside me.

              “Everything alright over there?” I joked.

              He looked at me with wide eyes. “Yeah. Angel, just a heads up. There’s a girl that works at the store that I should warn you about; a real pain in the ass. Just ignore whatever she might say, alright?”

              “Okay,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders. “Is she a jaded lover?”

              He let out a good belly laugh. “Lord, no! She’s a pain in the ass, like I said, and she’s kinda known as the town slut. She’s very pushy and she likes to start trouble.”

              He was still laughing, but I didn’t find it funny one bit. Was she after him?

              “Did you two go out?” I asked with jealousy.

              “What did I just say?” he bellowed. “No, I never went out with her, nor did I want to. She was after Luke for the longest time and caused a lot of problems between him and Lauren. I’m tellin’ ya, the girl can be spiteful, so just watch your back and trust me. I won’t lie to you.”

              I believed him, but my curiosity was piqued.

              “How did she cause trouble for Lauren and Luke?”              

              Billy let out a sigh. “Again, not my story to tell, angel, but I’ll give you the short version. Lauren and Luke had some problems. Not between them necessarily, but Lauren was running from her abusive husband, remember? We got word that he was responsible for the death of her parents and she freaked.”

              “Oh,” I murmured. I was beginning to feel bad for how I’d reacted towards her.

              “Yeah,
oh
,” he agreed. “Lauren tried to leave to protect Luke; she knew her husband would hurt him to get to her. She didn’t want Luke to end up like her parent’s. Lila, the girl at the store, took that as an opportunity to butt in; taking advantage of Luke when he was drunk. It was only a kiss, but it took a while for Luke and Lauren to piece things back together. The rest is history.”

              I found myself thinking ‘
poor Lauren’,
and realized that maybe I had judged her too harshly. Maybe she had latched onto Billy because she needed a true friend. Jealousy really was a green-eyed monster and I didn’t like it. I, too, had lost my parents and the pain was still excruciating, even after all this time. My father left us when I was just a little girl and my mother, so distraught over his absence, committed suicide a few years later. I was raised in a state home until I was eighteen, then I was on my own.

              “That’s awful about her family. How old was she?” I pried.

              “I don’t know, probably twenty-one or so. She was already married. She had a pretty affluent upbringing. Her husband, Mark, murdered them so Heather would inherit their money and he could have control. It’s really sad.”

              “Yeah,” I agreed. I didn’t have much else to say after that, but my mind was churning thinking of all that Lauren had endured.

              When we pulled into the lot, I unbuckled and waited for Billy to help me out. He took my hand in his and I watched as his eyes discreetly scanned the area. It put me on pins and needles, but I knew this to be something he
always
did, even when we weren’t in danger. I guess you can take the man from the job, but not the job from the man. It was ingrained in every fiber of his being, and it always would be.

              “All clear?” I joked.

              “Well aren’t we just a little smart-ass today?” he threw right back.

              I chuckled lightly, but my burst of enthusiasm quickly dissipated upon entering the store.

              “Billy!” a shrill female voice exclaimed. “How are ya, baby?”

              Billy rolled his eyes and tightened his grip around my hand.

              “Lila,” he nodded politely, but kept walking.

              “Why don’t you call me sometime when you lose the trash?” she called from behind us.

              I stopped dead in my tracks and jerked my hand lose from Billy’s. I was
not
going to tolerate being talked about like that. The
girl
didn’t even know me, but she was about to. I was surprised that Billy didn’t try to stop me. He stood there with a look of amusement on his face, waiting for me to let lose.
Okay then
.

              “Lila, is it?” I asked, snarky. “I’ve heard all about you. Your reputation precedes you, and not in a good way I’m afraid. You might have thought you could push Lauren around, but let me tell you something,
little girl
. I won’t put up with your crap, and you’d be wise to keep your trap shut. Don’t look at Billy. Don’t talk to him. Matter of fact, don’t even breathe in his direction. Are we clear?”

              I stared her down and waited as a million expressions crossed her face. She swallowed hard and nodded her head.

              “Good. Glad we understand each other. By the way, I just love that shade of lipstick. That whole hot pink vibe you got going on just screams eighties!”

              I was trembling as I walked away from Lila, but with a bounce in my step. I was surprised that I’d actually stuck up for myself. I greeted Billy once again, holding my hand out to him. He took it and smiled before leaning down to plant a kiss on my forehead.

              “God, you’re fabulous!” he boasted.

              I grinned wide and we went on our merry little way. I didn’t think Lila would ever bother us again, and that was fine by me. We had enough standing in our way as it was.

              I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Billy’s tastes hadn’t changed. He still liked the same old things. Steak and potatoes. Chicken and potatoes. Beans and potatoes. He didn’t branch out much.

              “Think this is enough?” I asked. Our cart was more than full, with stuff hanging over both sides.

              Billy looked at me like I was crazy, but I hadn’t been able to shop like this in years and I suddenly felt very small.

              “It’s okay, angel. Don’t worry. I got it,” he whispered against my temple. “Everything I have is yours. My house, my money….my heart. It all belongs to you.”

              I smiled. What else could I do? We were standing in a very crowded store, and the man I loved more than anything in the world just declared his undying devotion to me without hesitation, or embarrassment that others might hear. I was an unbelievably lucky woman.

              We paid for our groceries without incident. Lila never even looked in our direction, and I was thankful for that. Shopping had been an extremely emotional experience. I had stood up for myself against the town bully; something she apparently wasn’t accustomed to, and my heart had been filled once again knowing how much Billy loved me. Now I was ready to go home and curl up with him, forgetting all about the last few days and what might come tomorrow.

28

Billy

              Heather was sound asleep on her stomach, with her hair fanned out around her. The sheet was pulled down to her waist, and her pale pink tank top exposed the beauty of her lower back. My angel was flawless. She was amazing; the very air I breathed.

              I hated leaving her alone, but after a short phone call with Blake last night I realized it was inevitable.
I had to go
. There was too much at stake. He assured me that Raul would be busy, and there was no danger of him coming to Montana, at least not today. That helped put my mind at ease, but knowing someone had been here the other night was still a real and present danger.

              My apprehension was getting the better of me so I practiced the breathing techniques they had taught us at the academy. Often times it helped calm me, but today something unpleasant was settling in the pit of my stomach and I knew I couldn’t tarry. I would go to the meeting place, get the details I needed, and then return home. I was anxious to get back and I hadn’t even left yet.

              “Angel?” I whispered softly.

              Heather rolled over to look at me. Her face was slightly flushed and her eyes were the most beautiful shade of brown, reminding me of a cool, crisp fall day.

              “You’re leaving? What time is it?”

              She sat up quickly, searching for the alarm clock.

              “Angel, calm down. I’m not leaving yet. I have about an hour before I have to hit the road, but I thought we could eat breakfast. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.”

              I tucked her hair behind her ear and lightly stroked her cheek. Heather’s eyes filled with tears and before I knew what was happening, she lunged at me.

              “Please be safe, Billy. Please!” Heather grasped me tighter and held on for dear life.
It broke me.

              “Angel, I swear I’ll always come back to you.
Always.
”

              She nodded her head, but she was so shaken that she couldn’t speak.

              “You understand why I have to go?” I questioned. “I have to know the danger we’re facing. It’s the best way to protect you, and
I will
protect you at all costs. You are the most important person in the world to me. I’m doing this for you.
I’m doing this for us,”
I stressed.

              “I know,” she blubbered. “I just can’t stand the thought of something happening to you again.”

              I pulled away from Heather and held her face in my hands.

              “Nothing’s going to happen, angel. I swear, I wouldn’t meet with Blake if I thought he was in on it. I know we can trust him.”

              “And what about Tom?”

              “I don’t know. That’s the million dollar question. All the more reason for me to follow through. I’m afraid Raul might not be the only one we have to worry about. Can you tell me anything else about your time with Tom? If there is anything, even the slightest detail, it might be helpful. Does anything stand out to you?” I implored.

              “No, not really,” she shook her head. “He stuck his head into your hospital room several times a day. I assumed his interest was in you, but he never asked how you were doing, or if he could do anything for me. He just stared at me and then the door would shut. He made my skin crawl, but I figured that was my problem.”

              I nodded my head and pulled her to me once again. I rocked us back and forth until she had calmed and my heart rate had slowed. My gut told me Tom was the key to everything; to keeping Heather safe
and
ruining me. He knew everything I’d ever done. He’d given the orders sure, but it was my job. Now I was afraid all of it was coming back to haunt me.

              “C’mon. Let’s go get something to eat. It’ll make us both feel better.”

              I stood, pulling Heather up with me. I kissed her softly on the forehead before moving to each cheek, and finally her lips. They were soft and swollen from where she’d been crying, and they were the best thing I’d ever felt. Something inside of me snapped. I kissed her harder, letting her taste linger on my tongue.

              “Angel, I
love
you. You have to know that. You have to know that
everything
I’m doing is for you. All I’ve
ever
done was for you.”

              She nodded and placed her hands around my wrists, pulling me in once again. This time she kissed me.
Boy, did she kiss me.
Rockets went off and my mind was no longer focused on eating. I wanted to devour
her
….but not like this. She deserved more. She deserved better than a quick romp in the sheets and then for me to leave.

              “Heather, we need to stop,” I breathed heavily.

              Her eyes focused on mine and then turned to doubt. I needed to clear that up real quick.

              “You don’t understand,” I defended. I pressed my body closer to hers, letting her feel how she’d affected me.

              “I want you, angel, God knows I do. But I’m trying to do the right thing here. I can’t be with you and then turn around and leave. I
won’t
do that.”

              “It’s okay,” she responded woefully. “I understand.”

              “Do you? Do you understand how much I want to lay you across my bed? How badly I want to peel every stitch of clothing from your body and get lost? I don’t think you could ever know how much I want you because there aren’t words. Not enough words in the English language to describe what you do to me. How you leave me breathless.”

              Heather was silent, looking at me with eyes wide and her mouth formed into a silent ‘o’.

              “I want that, too,” she finally lamented.

              “Soon, angel.
Soon.
” It was a promise I intended to keep.

              I backed away from her, putting distance between us. It’s the last thing I wanted, but I was on the verge of breaking, and as bad of a man as I felt myself to be, there was no way I’d cross a line I couldn’t come back from.

              “Get dressed,” I said, roughly. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

              I walked out the door without a backwards glance. I knew if I did, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself.

              I rummaged through the cabinets, looking at all the food stocked from our shopping trip yesterday. I hadn’t had this much to choose from in…. well, ever. I grabbed a box of cereal from the top shelf, but thought better of it. I had time to whip us up something a little nicer.

              I grabbed the carton of eggs from the fridge, a package of ham and some peppers. Omelets sounded good and they didn’t take long to make.

              I set about whipping the eggs and dumping the ingredients into the hot skillet. I chopped the peppers and onions, throwing them in next along with the ham.

              “Something smells delicious,” Heather boasted.

              I turned and gave her a smile. “Omelets sound good?”

              “Fabulous. I’m starving!” Right on cue her stomach growled and I laughed.

              “So I hear,” I joked.

              “Want some coffee or juice?” she asked. Heather walked to the cupboard and pulled out two glasses.

              “Coffee would be great. Already have a pot brewing,” I replied.

              She poured our drinks and set them on the table. I plated the omelets and brought them over.

              “Thanks for doing this. I could’ve made something,” she offered.

              “You cook dinner. How about that?”

              “You got it,” she answered. “Any special requests?”

              I had just scooped a heaping mouthful of egg into my mouth and couldn’t answer right away, so I shook my head no.

              “You want me to surprise you?”

              “Yes, please,” I said, giving her a wink.
Oh, Lord, did I ever want her to surprise me!
Her cheeks reddened with the most beautiful blush.

              We finished our breakfast and then Heather took care of the cleanup while I finished getting dressed and brushed my teeth. I could get used to life like this with her. It was easy. It felt normal; not at all forced, and I was certain there was nothing I wanted more than to spend forever with her. A plan began to form in my mind, but I pushed it away. Getting through today was the only thing I needed to be focused on right now.

              “I’m gone, angel,” I said, rounding the kitchen. She was still washing dishes and gazing out the window.

              “It’s beautiful here,” she murmured.

              “Yes.” I walked cautiously towards her and wrapped my arms around her waist from behind.

              “And I want to be here,” she muttered again.

              “Yes.”

              “With you,” she continued.

              “Yes, angel. With me,” I agreed.

              “You will come back?”

              “Always. You’re my home, angel, and I’ll always come home.”

              She turned suddenly, flinging suds and water in the air. I held her close, kissing her once more.

              “I love you, angel. I’ll be back soon. Remember, every fifteen minutes, got it?”

              “I got it. Be careful.”

              “Lock the door behind me,” I ordered.

              I grabbed my keys and wallet from the counter and turned towards the front door. Heather let out a gasp, scaring me. I didn’t know what had happened.

              “A
gun
?” she questioned.

              I sighed.
Shit!

              “Heather, it’s just a precaution. I don’t go anywhere without one,” I assured her. “It doesn’t mean anything, and I don’t expect to have to use it today. I just feel better knowing I have it should I need it. That’s all.”

              “I love you, Billy.”

              A lone tear rolled down her face and I could see her childlike vulnerability. Her movements were jagged and sharp, unsure of where to place her hands, or where to focus her eyes. She was frightened, and I was to blame.

              “I love you, angel. Always remember that.”

              I gave her one last kiss on the forehead and left. I would be late if I stayed another minute, and Blake’s schedule was not his own. The only reason he’d agreed to meet today was because he knew Raul was busy with a shipment. It was dangerous and risky, but I couldn’t shun him, or stand him up. I might not get another chance.