Back To Me (6 page)

              “Angel, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.” Billy took a deep, shuddering breath and then explained. “Raul is the man that shot me. He knows I’m not dead and he came for you tonight, to get back at me. I’m so sorry, angel. More sorry than you’ll ever know.” I heard him sniffle and then I felt a tear fall on my arm. In all the time I’d known him, I’d never seen the man cry.

              I slowly lifted my head and sat up. I wiped my tears on my shirt and stared at the floor. I couldn’t look at him.

              “He told me tonight that I was as good as his. Tommy’s on his payroll somehow, I don’t know,” I shrugged. “He told me I had to start dancing on the stage tomorrow.”

              Billy turned and glared at me, apparently under the assumption that I was going to do it. I wasn’t a saint, but there was no way I could ever do something like that. I did have my limits. It stung that Billy thought otherwise.

              “I wasn’t going back, Billy. I came home to pack. I’m so scared,” I whispered, still keeping my head low.

              He blew out a breath and scooted closer to me. I saw him hold his arm up and then hesitate briefly before wrapping it around my shoulder.

              “I know you’re scared, angel. And I promise to do everything I can to protect you, but there isn’t much time. We need to go. If I know Raul, he won’t wait long.”

              I nodded my head in understanding and pulled myself together. I didn’t want Billy to feel guilty about this, but I knew he did. I knew he felt responsible, and that I was merely an obligation at this point. He probably just couldn’t live with my death on his conscience. I decided right then and there not to make this any harder on him. After all, he’d come for me, and I shouldn’t expect any more than that. Not after what I’d done.

              “Okay, let’s go.” I stood and walked out of the room, leaving him by himself.

8

Billy

              I threw the main switch in the electrical box to cut the power. If Raul did happen to come by, and I strongly felt he would, then I wanted total darkness. It wasn’t much of a deterrent, but at least it would be harder to get a clear shot.

              Heather still hadn’t come home, but I wasn’t worried. As many twists and turns as she took, I knew it would be a while.

              I studied her home and tried to relearn everything I could about her in the short amount of time I had. The furniture was basic and boring, and not at all her style. She had always preferred bright colors, but everything was drab and depressing. I determined by looking around that she had changed and I didn’t want that for her. Heather had been perfect the way she was.

              I laid on her bed and inhaled her sensuous, sweet scent. I closed my eyes, committing it to memory, knowing that when this was all said and done, she’d be gone; out of my life once again, and then forever. The pain that coursed through me was insurmountable and growing with each passing second. I had to pull myself together and fast. Heather would be home any moment and sitting here, wallowing in self-pity was throwing me off my game; away from what needed to be done. I took one last deep breath, letting the smell of her into my mind, settling in the deepest, darkest corners of my heart. One day I’d think about it again, just like that damn note, but not right now. Right now I had a job to do.

              I heard her fumbling through the darkness and then chuckled when I heard her cuss. It wasn’t her style unless she was riled up; then she had the mouth of a sailor. I stood up, quietly and quickly, positioning myself and waiting for the perfect opportunity. I wasn’t aiming to scare her, but I knew taking her by surprise was the only way. My only other option was to walk right up to the front door and knock, but I knew she’d never let me in.

              I was as prepared as I could be. I had snuck up on several unsuspecting people in my day, and I’d always been able to do it with a stealth-like precision. I was trained for it and I knew what to expect every time. The perp would always squirm, trying to get away; the many maneuvers and ways one could twist and contort their body to get out of a hold. I knew all the tricks, and I’d never let anyone out-do me. Every. Time. Except. Now. When I wrapped my arm tightly around Heather’s waist; when I held her head firmly against my chest and her mouth with my hand, an electrical current ran through me like a bolt of lightning. It was almost too much for me to take.

              Just like I knew she would, Heather followed suit of all the ones before her. Her determination and fight made me proud, albeit frustrating. She was letting her survival instincts kick in and I was thrilled she had some fight left in her. It might just save her life one day. She wiggled her small frame against my large one, fighting me with a tenacity that most grown men don’t possess, and I couldn’t have been more pleased. When she finally began to give up, I leaned down, putting my lips close against her ear. I was intoxicated just by the close proximity. A few more seconds of this and my plan to keep it “strictly business” would fly right out the window. At least I had one thing going for me. Heather was too stunned by my voice to scream.

              “Look at me, angel.”

              I heard Heather’s sharp, deep breath and I watched the rise and fall of her shoulders. I braced myself against the wall, readying myself for when she found her courage and actually faced me. I had seen her earlier, but it was at a distance. I knew this would be different entirely. Our bodies were practically touching and my arms were screaming to be wrapped around her once again.

             
It’s just business. Just a job. You’re only doing what any good human being would do.
Yeah, even I know it’s all a lie, but I had to be careful and hide my feelings. I couldn’t afford to lose my head, and I damn sure couldn’t afford to lose my heart again.

              Heather’s beautiful brown eyes caught me off guard, nearly knocking me off my feet. Confusion as to why I was here shone brightly in them, along with lust and…..
love
? It couldn’t be. Not after all I’d done, and certainly not for the reason I was here now. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her either. At least not right now. I couldn’t tell her that she was in danger because of me; that her very life depended on her coming with me.

              Heather whispered my name just before her legs gave out. I caught her; afraid she was going into shock. I then lifted her in my arms and carried her with ease, setting her down gently on her bed. I asked for a suitcase and she never argued. Instead she pointed me towards the closet. I wasted no time tugging clothes from their hanger and shoving them in the luggage. I grabbed everything I thought she’d need, only leaving her ridiculously short skirts, and the ‘Tommy’s Girl’ tank tops. Those I wanted to burn. When I was through in the closet, I began packing up the contents of her dresser. A lump formed in my throat when I reached for her underwear drawer. Red silk thongs and white lacey panties caught my eye immediately, but I refrained from moaning and picturing her wearing them. There wasn’t time for that, and I couldn’t go there anyways.
This is just a job, Willis. Get it together!

              I exhaled loudly and refocused my attention on what I was doing. As fast as I began stuffing her clothes in the duffle bag, Heather was unpacking them.
Shock
. I knew it would happen sooner or later. She still hadn’t said a word; she only shook her head from side to side, no doubt internalizing the reality of what was happening.

              I pressed my body flush against her back, trapping her between me and the dresser. I reached around her, grabbing her hands and essentially the wad of night gowns she had balled up.

              “Heather, stop.” It was a soft command, but just harsh enough that she would know I was serious.

              When I felt her reaction to me and my
reaction
to her, I took a step back, needing distance. I repacked everything and zipped the bag closed, eliminating the time she would waste overthinking things.

              “I need you to trust me. Can you do that?” It was asking a lot, and no doubt way more than I deserved, but to get us out of here, quickly and safely, I needed her on board. I needed one hundred percent cooperation. Once we were back in Montana, far away from Raul, I’d explain everything. She deserved the truth.

              I didn’t give her a chance to answer. I grabbed her luggage and her hand on my way to the front door. It wasn’t lost on me how her hand gripped mine in return, or the way she laced her fingers through mine. She whimpered, though I wasn’t sure if she was scared to death or if my touch was affecting her that much. I hoped it was the latter, but I don’t suppose it carried much weight either way. I could never act on any feelings I may or may not have for her.
Never again.

              I peered through the lace curtains, seeing nothing but the black of night. It was quiet, almost too quiet, and I knew something was off. I could feel it in my gut.
Rule number three
:
Always trust your instincts.

              I stopped Heather in the hallway, where she was attempting to run from me. Again. I’d said some mean, horrible things to her. I knew it the moment the words were out of my big, fat mouth, but it was necessary. If she couldn’t find it within herself to trust me like I’d asked, then I’d have to resort to scaring her into submission. I didn’t like doing it, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Hearing her cry was my undoing. I sat on the bed next to her, placing my hand on her back in a comforting gesture. I felt like a dog.
I was a dog
. I’d deliberately hurt her; proof that sometimes the end doesn’t always justify the means.

              I told her I was sorry, and I was. More sorry than I could ever express. I was undeserving of her tears years ago and I damn sure didn’t deserve them now. I could see the wall she put up almost instantly, her resolve never wavering, and I was in awe of her. “Let’s go.” To her it was simple and done. She walked out of the room, leaving me momentarily stunned.

              By the time I made my way back to the living room, Heather was already there and waiting with her duffle bag slung high on her shoulder. I watched her as she peeked through the curtains, just like I’d done earlier. It was only when I noticed her whole body stiffen that I moved towards her. The bag fell from her shoulder and landed on the floor with a
thud.

              I moved quickly, but quietly to her side. “What’s wrong, angel? Did you see someone?”

              She turned and looked at me only once before redirecting her attention back outside. I followed her gaze and saw what had her so freaked out.
Headlights
. Someone was coming, and I had a feeling I knew who it might be. I grabbed Heather, forcing her behind me so I could shield her. The car was getting closer, and I knew there was no time to make it to the safety of my truck.

              Heather had a death grip on the back of my shirt and her head was buried in my shoulder blades. A small sob escaped her and filled me with regret. She was scared and it was all my fault. I turned, loosening her hands so that I could look her in the eyes.

              “Angel, look at me. Breathe, baby. C’mon, deep breaths in through your nose and exhale through your mouth.” I demonstrated the process like an idiot, but she made no move to follow my directions. In fact, I don’t think she was breathing at all. I shook her gently, garnering her full attention.

              “Listen to me, angel. Go in the bedroom and lock yourself in the closet. Don’t open it until I come and get you, okay?”

              She didn’t move a muscle. “Angel, go! Now!”

              I pushed her away from me gently, guiding her with my hand on the small of her back. I didn’t leave her alone until I heard the door close and the latch click. I spun on my heels, hastily pulling my gun from my shoulder holster. I pulled back the slide on my .45, loading a bullet from the clip into the chamber. I crept to the front window, careful to keep a low-profile. Gently pulling the curtain aside, I waited. Voices moved closer to the house and I braced myself for what was about to happen; for what I was about to do. It had been years since I’d taken a life, but right now, in this moment, I had no qualms about it. Not when Raul was involved and out to harm Heather.

              Knocking on the door startled me, but it soon turned into incessant banging when they grew impatient and starting using their fists. I knew then that it wasn’t Raul. He didn’t operate by asking permission. He simply took. I put my gun on safety and placed it back in my holster before getting to my feet. I opened the door, jerking it harder than was necessary, and I felt the hinges give. It was pretty boy from the bar, and the waitress I had seen helping Heather.

              “Yeah?”

              “Who are you?” he demanded. I watched as he changed his stance, waiting for a fight.

              “A friend of Heather’s. And you are?”

              “Johnny. This is Tracy.” He introduced them both, but made no move to extend his hand to me.

              “Where’s Heather?” the woman asked, looking over my shoulder.

              “She’s not available right now.” I didn’t want to invite them in. I didn’t have time for this shit and the longer they stood there interrogating me, the more danger Heather was in.

              Pretty boy shoved past me, ramming my shoulder with his. I don’t know who in the hell he thought he was, but as far as I was concerned, Heather was no longer his to protect.

              “Excuse me, but you guys need to go,” I said, firmly.

              “Let me see her and we’ll be out of your hair.” The woman, Tracy I think was her name, glared at me and tapped her foot impatiently on the wooden floor.

              “Fine. Wait here,” I ordered.

              I shook my head all the way down the hallway, becoming more and more pissed. If they knew what was really going on they’d step the hell out of the way, but I couldn’t tell them. I couldn’t involve more innocent people. The less they knew the better.

              I walked into the bedroom and knocked on the closet door. “Angel? It’s me. Open up.”

              I heard shuffling and then the turn of the lock. Heather wasted no time opening the door and flinging herself into my arms.

              “Thank God you’re okay!” she exclaimed. I felt her hot tears as they landed on my shirt, soaking through the thin material. I embraced her back and rested my head in the crook of her neck.

              “It’s okay, angel. I’m right here.”

              I held her a little longer before setting her back on her feet. If she needed to feel me close, who was I to deny her? I’d hold her all day long if it made her feel safe.
What the hell am I thinking! I can’t do this!
I stepped away from her, immediately missing her warmth, and feeling an emptiness that threatened to shatter me on the spot.

              “It’s not Raul, angel. It’s your friends from the bar. I think they’re worried about you, but you can’t tell them about Raul, or where we’re going. Understand?”