Deadly In Stilettos (45 page)

             
“No problem. I aim to please.”

             
Sidney did not like the sound of that and immediately put her guard back around her heart. All the talk around Dallas about Greg’s whorish behavior crossed her mind. Although she had not believed it at the time, she now thought otherwise by his actions toward her and Demi. She wondered how many others were out there.

             
“So what do you want to eat?” he asked. “Should we go out or prepare something here?”

             
Sidney was starving but in no mood to eat. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to run and hide. Was this how Demi felt after being used and hurt by the person she loved the most? Maybe she shouldn’t have been the one to suffer in all of this chaos. Maybe if she had just talked to her about her life, Sidney would have understood better. It was too late for that now. The damage was done.

Sidney closed her eyes and made a vow. She promised to be completely honest
with all the people she allowed into her life from that moment on. She promised to be a better person. She promised to give 110 percent of commitment in her next relationship. Now was the time to confess to Greg what she had done. He deserved to know if they had a chance at being together. Greg’s cell phone on the nightstand rang, breaking her thoughts. Greg answered it.

             
The conversation between Greg and the other person on the line was intense. He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. He said no more than a few words before leaving the room, so Sidney could not hear what was said. The call lasted about twenty minutes. Sidney sipped her hot chocolate, savoring the delicious warmth it gave her. When Greg returned, he was flushed, pale.

             
“Someone is on to us. We have to leave New York. I just found out that some really bad people are looking for us. What happened at the hotel that day, Sidney? And please tell me the truth. Our lives are in great danger, Damnit!” Sidney saw the terrified and angered look on his face and sat up. Greg was not a man who scared easily, so she took what he said very seriously.

             
“Well, I just wanted to talk with her at first, but when her friend got suspicious of me, I lost it. I stalked her. I knew everything and everywhere she went. I even knew when she was with you.” Sidney lowered her eyes from Greg’s, who was now watching her with great concern. “Something that happened between us long ago made me want to make her pay tremendously. I got help from one of the staff members. He allowed me access to her room, no questions asked, after I placed a few crisp hundred dollars in his hand. When she entered the suite, I attacked her. I wanted her dead. I stabbed her over and over until I was sure she was dead. I left the hotel and never looked back. I should have told you. Please believe me.”

Greg was outraged. He had known all along that Sidney was behind the attack, but hearing her confess it only made things worse. Now someone had seen her leaving the hotel on the day of the at
tack and linked him with her. The man on the phone assured him there would be grave consequences. Greg had to find the person making threats against them, but they were not safe in New York or Dallas. They needed to go and fast, but where?

              “Sidney, I love your little ploy to confess, but now is not the time. We have to go. Get up! I’ll pack a bag, and then go with you back to the hotel so that you can gather your things. Someone is really after us. I believe that if they find us, we would not get a fair chance to explain anything we’ve done. I wish you had been straight up with me from the beginning. It would have given us more time. Now, hurry up!”

             
Before Sidney could say anything, Greg was across the room pulling clothing from the closet. She grabbed her coat and shoes, since those were the only things she had worn to the loft. When they left, they were in too much of a hurry to notice the black SUV parked down the street, the driver watching their every move. He pulled out his cell phone.

             
“I know where they are. I’ll follow them and call you back with details. Relax, have fun, and enjoy your wedding day.” The driver smiled. He wanted his friend to be happy. He also knew that the woman in his life was the one to help accomplish that goal. Deminis Bradshaw had always been the one. Her life and Makei’s would only get better, together. Makei Davis was a very blessed man. He had been with Makei in that restaurant in San Francisco when Demi walked in. Makei pointed her out to him, and he’d known she was the woman his dear friend still loved and cared for. He even helped make that evening special for the both of them. The little box he’d left in the backseat of the car had been his idea, thanks to all the information Makei gave him over the years about her. The man hid in the darkness, pleased at how happy she was when she opened the box and saw the beautiful shoes inside. Even Makei was awed. He called the next day, thanking him. Yes, they deserved happiness, and lots of it. He would make sure no one stood in the way of that anymore. He’d been alarmed at the attempted murder of Makei and immediately suspected Demi, until Makei shared the story of their breakup and how he had been blackmailed into hurting her in order to protect her.

             
The man in the black SUV was touched by Makei’s ability to forgive—and guilty, because he helped the people—behind the blackmail accomplish that goal. Now, he was not the man he used to be. He was happily in love, blessed with a son and daughter, and made more money than most CEO’s. It was his duty to help bring and keep Makei and Demi together. The woman and man before him were in for a rude awakening if they thought they would get away with all the damage they’d caused. The last person to cause any harm to Demi or Makei had not gotten the chance to explain. Neither would these two.

             
The man in the black SUV followed Greg and Sidney. He kept a good distance so as to not alarm them and cause them to flee. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He looked at the number, smiling. “Hey, baby. How are you? I know, I know. Give them a kiss for me and I will be home soon. Yes, Sweetheart, I promise. I will be careful. I know and I love you more!”

             
Closing his phone, he beamed with joy. His family meant the world to him, and Makei was a part of that family. And after a few days, Deminis Bradshaw would be too. He protected his family with his life. He would protect them until the day he was called home. Even then would he look down upon them and protect them. As he watched Greg and Sidney leave the hotel, he focused all of his attention on them. They drove off and he followed. Soon they wouldn’t know what hit them.

Chapter 34

THE BEAUTIFUL hug
e yacht rode the clear blue ocean. The waves lapping around it added finesse to the adventure Makei planned for the day. He knew that Demi loved dolphins, and swimming with them was one of her dreams. He couldn’t wait to see the smile appear on her face when she learned his secret. When the driver stopped at the pier and Demi saw the yacht, she knew Makei was up to something. The fact that he didn’t say much the entire drive also indicated he had something up his sleeve. She loved the way he spoiled and surprised her. His spontaneity allowed their relationship endless possibility.

             
Once they were settled and the yacht prepared to leave the dock, Demi’s stomach churned. She hadn’t been on a boat in a long time, and the last time had not been a pretty sight. She’d thrown up everywhere, embarrassing herself and her date, Enry Williams. Before she could warn Makei, he handed her a glass of ginger ale. “Here, this will settle your stomach, Babe. We don’t need you sick today. I have a lot of fun things in store for us. Just relax, we have all day.”

             
First, they went snorkeling. The schools of beautiful, exotic fish were delightful. The colorful coral and sea turtles took Demi’s breath away. She always imagined snorkeling would be great, but this exceeded her expectations. She and Makei even swam with dolphins. Demi was so happy. It was an adventure she wanted to do since her aunt took her to Sea World when she was a little girl. Makei helped make her dream of swimming with dolphins and sea turtles come true. They swam with the dolphins for more than a few hours. Makei hired an instructor to teach them all they needed to know about swimming with dolphins, and even riding on them by grabbing hold of their dorsal fins. That experience was one of the most delicate yet invigorating things Demi had ever done. Other than buying stilettos, swimming with dolphins and snorkeling in the beautiful ocean could soon become her favorite pastime.

             
Lunch was served on the yacht, and time seemed to pass before them without flaw. Soon it was time to depart. By that time, Demi had gained a few new friends whom she did not want to say good-bye to. She kissed each of the dolphins, promising to visit them again before she left the island. The thought of leaving saddened her. Why did they have to go back? She had more than enough money in her savings and bank accounts, and she knew that her job would allow her to work from anywhere. Makei was now retired so he didn’t have to worry about football, and they could be happy together for as long as they wanted. She would discuss that with Makei later. Right now, she just wanted to enjoy his company and the warm sun shining upon her body. Her weight was returning already, and Demi felt herself again.

             
The two-piece Victoria’s Secret swimsuit she’d found in the closet fit her perfectly. She smiled when she saw Makei stealing peeks at her when he thought she was not paying attention. She would thank him profusely when they became husband and wife. They both agreed they would prefer to wait.

             
The yacht docked back at the pier, and they left smiling like newlyweds. “I have one more surprise for you today,” Makei said after they got into the car. “What more can you give me? I already have everything that I want and then some.” They pulled up at the airport. A private jet was just landing, and she wondered what was going on. Christmas was the day after tomorrow and she still needed to get away from him long enough to purchase a gift for him. She did not expect him to give her anything more, but she knew Makei was a romantic. He would definitely have something over the top. The jet stopped and the door opened. Makei opened his car door and pulled her out. “Your surprised is here. Come with me.”

             
When Tabitha appeared at the top of the step, Demi shouted her name and raced across the tarmac to hug her friend. She missed Tabi and now here she was. The two women hugged, rocking from side to side. “How are you? You look amazing,” Tabitha said, twirling Demi around. She complimented the see-through cover-up Demi wore over her new swimsuit. “Love that suit too. It looks amazing on you, girl.” After a few more long hugs, Demi turned to greet Brian and Tabitha hugged Makei, thanking him for inviting them to visit. As they walked back to the car, Tabitha locked arms with Demi.

             
“So this is where you’ve been the past couple of days. I can see why I haven’t heard from you. This place is beautiful.” Demi watched as Tabi took it all in:  the palm trees, the exotic fruit trees, the blue ocean in the distance. “I was the same way when I first arrived here. Makei still has not told me exactly where we are, and somehow, I do not really care. I am happy here. I am going to hate to leave this place when the time comes.” Tabi gave her hand a comforting squeeze. “We’ll get through it. I’m here for you no matter what. And since we are here now, let’s have fun in the sun!”

             
During the ride to the bungalow, Tabi and Brian couldn’t stop gushing about the lovely scenery, the beautiful white sand, and crystal clear water. “How did you find out about this place?” Brian asked Makei. “And more importantly, why did I not know anything about it? I thought we were boys.”

             
“Man, I am truly sorry for not sharing, but if I tell you anything else, I will have to kill you.” They all laughed. Tabitha and Brian’s reaction was the same as Demi’s when they arrived at the bungalow and got the grand tour. The two of them could not keep their mouths closed as Makei showed them every inch of the spectacular house. Demi was relaxing in the living area when Tabi dropped down beside her. “This is wonderful. I hate to leave and I just got here.” As Demi touched her hand, Tabi yelped. “What? Did I hurt you?” Demi asked. Tabi stared straight in Demi’s eyes. “Is there something you want to tell me?”