Deadly In Stilettos (35 page)

             
The winding road was easy flowing and traffic was light. Anya was used to the road from traveling it often. She accelerated, picking up more speed. Although the speed limit was sixty, she did not want to take all day getting there. She pushed the speedometer over sixty. As she rounded another curve, she peeked at her new shoes, smiling. Suddenly, an eighteen-wheeler approached, heading straight for her. Anya tried to brake, but the more she pressed on the pedals, the faster the truck came toward her, and her car only got faster. When the car did not slow, Anya knew she was in trouble. This piece of roadway was no place to lose control of a vehicle. It was narrow, curvy, and had no shoulder to pull over onto. Trying hard to remain in control of the car, Anya fastened her seatbelt. As she tried to dodge the oncoming truck, the car spun out of control and plummeted over the side of the road off a cliff. The car flipped repeatedly. Anya’s body crumbled. Before Anya saw her life flash before her eyes, she knew Deminis Bradshaw had set her up. When the car hit the bottom of the rocky cliff, it exploded. The only recognizable piece of Anya that was left was one red Manolo Blahnik stiletto.

~~~

The plane lifted off from the runway, and Demi realized she was free for the first time. She had finally completed her list. The only t
hing left for her to do was make sure no one ever hurt her again. Demi was happy she was the one who had put an end to all the deception, abuse, hurt, pain, and so many other terrible things those people subjected her and many others to. Thinking about it as she relaxed in her first-class seat, she realized that if she had it to do all over again, she would.

             
Now she and Greg could start their life together without anyone coming between them, especially from her past. She only hoped Greg could see pass her flaws and accept her for who she was. If all went her way, Demi would spend the rest of her life making him the happiest man alive. Just as those words floated through her mind, she thought of Makei. Why was she constantly thinking of him? He had caused her pain and deserved to pay for his actions, and yet she still felt something special for him. It was too late now, though, he was dead. She had Greg in her life and Makei was now just a memory.

             
Demi hoped it was not too late for her to have a happy life. Her success, great education, and well-traveled life were wonderful, but she needed something more. Love was a gift, a gift she hoped to unwrap slowly. She planned on enjoying every piece of the box it came in, called Greg Stanley. Of course, she did need to find out who the woman was that she saw Greg kiss. Careful not to think the worse Demi closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was in Las Vegas. It felt good to be home. The ride to her condo was quick and easy. It was just before dawn and people had not got up for work yet. She let down the window of the cab and breathed in the cool, crisp, fresh air. It did her body good filling her lungs with what they craved most, restoration.

             
Within minutes she was home. The cab driver grabbed Demi’s bag and walked it up the steps for her. He placed it in front of her door. She made sure to give him a big tip, a sign of her appreciation. As she unlocked the door, all Demi wanted to do was take a long, hot bath and get into her plush California king-sized bed. She had not slept in it for what felt like forever. Demi simply could not wait. The only thing she needed was a cup of ginger-mint tea, and a good book, to call it a night.

             
“Home at last,” she called out to her empty, yet invited home.

Chapter
24

             
AFTER DEMI checked her messages, she unpacked her bags. The other pair of shoes she had purchased before leaving New York still rested in their box. Taking them out, Demi admired them. The four-inch Givenchy stiletto sandals in exotic gray leather with a crocodile print and multiple straps made her blush. The shoes were just too sexy for words. She placed them in her closet with the so many others that were in there. Pressing a button, she opened a hidden section in the closet. Demi walked inside and looked at all the shoes she had used to complete her list. Taking two other pairs of shoes from her bag, she placed them on the shelf next to the others. They would never be worn again, but the memories she had of them were of great significance in her life.

             
As she sealed off the secret room, Demi admired all the other shoes and items in her collection. She could make a fortune from her shoes, as well as all the other equipment she had. That thought of selling her shoes never crossed her mind for more than a second, but becoming a paid assassin was something she thought better of. Shaking her head, she realized that she could never part with any of her shoes, or taken another life. Her shoes were her therapy, her confidant, her friends, and her most cherished advocates. They were safe, and had never hurt or deserted her. They were loyal, her ultimate ally and best friend. The weapons were just an added bonus, in case someone got a bright idea to break into her home. They wouldn’t make it out alive.

             
Stilettos changed her life in more ways than one. Demi would have never gotten the boost she needed to fulfill her destiny if she had never been introduced to them. A woman in great shoes, especially stilettos, felt confident, sexy, and on top of the world. Demi was a woman who knew how to get what she wanted, and with the help of her stilettos, she never failed.

             
As she walked from her closet back into the living area, she heard her doorbell chime. She wondered with some annoyance, who could be at her door uninvited. No one knew she was back, so she wasn’t expecting company, especially this early in the morning. The doorbell chimed again. Thinking it was one of her neighbors welcoming her back home, Demi walked quickly to the door. Checking the peephole, she nearly passed out when she saw who stood there. Makei Davis looked sexier than ever, Demi realized as she cautiously opened the door. What was he doing there? How could it be? He was dead. She saw him die. He smiled at her and pulled her into his arms. “Hey Baby, did you miss me?”

             
Demi tried to pull away, but the shock of seeing him alive had her frozen. Plus being in his arms felt right, she felt safe, where she belonged. She exhaled, living in the moment. She knew she had to play it off somehow, but her emotions were overtaking her. “What are you doing here, Makei? Why didn’t you call first? I haven’t heard from you in months and now you just pop up like nothing happened?”

             
Makei let her go, and Demi stepped aside, allowing him to enter her home. They had a lot to talk about. She was anxious to learn what had happened after she’d left him for dead. Did he know she had set him up? Was he there to get revenge on her? Her mind raced with many scenarios. She had to get something to protect herself with, but her legs did not move. She just stared at Makei. His eyes pierced her heart, captured her soul, and consumed her mind. Her body betrayed her becoming aroused.

             
Makei knew the look in Demi’s eyes. He saw how hard she fought to stay in control, but also knew she wanted him, just as he wanted her, but they would have plenty of time for that later. He took a seat on the sofa, signaling for her to join him. Breathing slowing, Demi was able to get her feet to move and walk from the door into the living room. She did not want to be next to Makei in case he knew she had tried to kill him. So she sat in the chair next to the sofa instead. She could see that he was disappointed as he looked into her eyes. His stare was powerful. The depths of her soul burned, releasing all the anger and hatred she sealed away in her heart toward him. At that moment, she knew she still loved him deeply. Demi wanted to take off her soaked panties, rip Makei’s clothes off and fuck him senseless, but she remained composed crossing and uncrossing her legs.

             
As he reached out to caress Demi’s hand, Makei seemed upset about something. “Demi, I have to tell you something really important. Please, just listen until I finish. When I’m done, I will never bother you again if that is what you want.” Demi nodded.

             
“The day you left my house, someone tried to kill me!” Demi almost threw up, but focused hard to keep it down. She did not want Makei to see her nervousness and become suspicious. “I was in the gym working out when suddenly the weight bar came down on me, which was unusual because I am always careful. I struggled to keep it from crushing my chest. The only thing that kept me alive that day was you, and the fact that I always wrap a heavy towel around my neck to keep sweat away. That gesture saved my life that day keeping the weight of the bar from crushing my windpipe. When I got free, I called the police. Then I went upstairs to check on you and you were gone. I knew something had happened. That’s when I realized my ex-wife was inside the house. She was sitting in the living room smiling.”

            
 
‘So that was the blonde standing outside the house that day,
’
Demi thought. Makei continued.

             
“I asked her where you were and she told me you had left. She was talking crazy, saying how she was sorry for everything that happened between us, and that’s when it hit me. I didn’t know then but she was responsible for the things that happened with the people who were after me. Just as I was about to tell her to leave, she pulled a gun out on me, Demi. If my bodyguard and good friend hadn’t been there, she would have finished what she tried to do in the gym. I tried calling you several times, but then I figured you would talk to me once you cooled down. What did she say to you? What happened between the two of you? Don’t be afraid to tell me because she won’t ever interfere with our relationship again. I love you, Demi. Always have and always will.” Makei smiled. “Demi, I came here to tell you that I missed you. I miss us. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I hate the way things ended long ago. I never meant to hurt you. I was blackmailed and too cowardly go to the police for help. I hurt you and I am truly sorry. It will never happen again. I promise. Being a highly-paid successful athlete had both advantages and disadvantages. When people see an opportunity, they take it. I allowed it to happen, and when you came into my life, I tried to make things different. The people involved did not like it too much, deciding to ruin my life one way or the other. I let my career come before us. I promise to make it up to you, if you give me the chance to. They even got to one of my best friends, and he convinced me, well, they convinced me after trying to kill him and threatened to go after his girlfriend as well.”

             
Demi was in tears. All this time she thought she had killed the man she loved, and here he was sitting in front of her. Was it a sign that she was to be with him? Was God listening to her prayers? Suddenly, she thought about Greg. What would she tell him? She loved Greg, but her heart belonged to Makei. The love she had for him was much deeper than the love she had for anyone, other than her mother and Aunt Charlotte. “What happened to your ex-wife, Makei? Did she stop harassing you? Is she going to be brought up on charges to commit murder?”

             
Makei looked cold and dark for a moment. “Let’s just say, we will not have to worry about her ever again. Nor the other people out to destroy my life. I made sure of that.”

             
Demi wanted to ask more questions but was too afraid of the answers she might receive. Besides, she needed to tell him about Greg and their relationship. She regretted having to tell Makei what she was about to tell him, but she had to. Quickly, Demi stood up and paced the room before turning her attention back to Makei.

“Makei, I am seeing someone else. After I never heard from you, I moved on. I really care for hi
m. I would never do anything to hurt him. I am sorry for all that you have been through, but you have to leave. What we had was back then, not now.” Demi looked away to keep her tears from being seen. Her heart ached hearing the words come from her mouth, but what else could she do? That is when he noticed the huge rock on the ring finger, of her left hand. The look on his face broke her heart into pieces.

             
Makei looked lost. There were tears in his eyes. He got up and walked to the front door. Before he opened the door, he rushed back over to her and pulled Demi up against his hard body. When she tried to speak, he covered her mouth with his. Makei kissed her long and passionately, as if his life depended on it. Then he left Demi standing there with her eyes closed, tears rolling down her cheeks, and her heart confused. It was hard for her to let him go, but she had to. Not only had she tried to kill him, but she was with Greg. The saddest part about losing Makei was that they were made for each other. Still, Greg was the man she loved now. He loved her back and had never caused her pain. Just then, the image of Greg with the woman at the airport rushed into Demi’s mind. She would get to the bottom of that soon enough. If he was playing her, he would become the final name on her list, after the woman he was betraying her with. The thought of Greg’s name being placed on her list send a chill down her spine.