Eye of the Storm (The Storm Series) (19 page)

At the raised voices in the other room Evie pointed to them, “Well, you might want to tell your husband that. He’s going all crazy rock star over there.”

Evie leaned back against the counter and watched her pregnant best friend wade into the middle of three men who were all yelling at each other on what was the best course of action. She looked over at Kat who sat there looking at the floor, shoulders hunched.
The pain she must have gone through. Damn it Lexi, now she’s got me going all soft.

Kat got up and walked out of the house, unnoticed, or so she thought. She stood there and watched the ocean roll in. Wrapping her arms around herself she wondered how she got here. Wishing for the woman she used to be and not knowing how to get her back.

She stiffened when she heard someone come up behind her. Without looking, she knew who it was. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Jackson was just inches behind her. She could feel his heat. “I know. I thought you could use a friend.”

She whirled on him. “Why? I don’t understand you.”

He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You never did.” He held out his hand waiting for her to trust him. After a moment, she placed her hand in his and they walked back into the house.

~*~

Everyone was up early and watching the news when Anthony and Evie walked in. They had decided to call the authorities last night and it was all over the news about Jeremy Ellison and his horrific crimes. It was nothing compared to what had been on last time after he attacked Lexi. Now with all the new information from New York, London, St. Thomas, Seattle and La Jolla, there was no hiding what he had done.

Evie wondered if it was going to help or hurt their chances of catching him. Seeing his face flash across the screen she could tell the subtle differences between him and Anthony, but to the general public, they would look the same. She looked over at Anthony knowing it wasn’t going to be easy for him. Everywhere he goes until this bastard is caught will mean he’ll be questioned.

They all decided to stay on Noah’s property for the day. They felt safe knowing the guards were all around. The men were still trying to find any other information they could about Jeremy, or Jay, or David and weren’t coming up with much, which meant they were cranky. Even the Troublesome Trio were quiet. They all had their noses buried in books and would whisper quietly to each other every once in a while.

Evie watched Kat sit outside by herself most of the day. She seemed just to sit there and stare at nothing. Part of her wanted Kat to suffer, the other part of her wanted to help. She was about to go out to her when Lexi sat down with her. She didn’t have to hear to know what they were talking about. Maybe they would be able to help each other, especially Lexi help Kat. Remembering the difference from Lexi before the first attack and right after, then how she healed and met Noah. Then another attack and more healing. Lexi could help her; she just had to be open to it.

Evie let the guys know that she was going back to the cottage to lie down. They hadn’t been getting much sleep and all the time changes had done a number on her. She opened the windows and laid down letting the cool ocean breeze wash over her as she fell into a deep sleep.

~*~

Evie slowly came awake to the feel of someone’s hands gently running up and down her body. For a brief moment she didn’t know where she was or who could be touching her, but then she breathed in deep and smelled Anthony’s scent.

“Good morning, la mia belezza. You missed dinner. I’ve brought it to you. Come, we’ll eat on the balcony.”

Evie stretched and got up. After freshening up she joined him. “Anything new after I left?”

Anthony shook his head. “No, and let’s not talk about it. I just want a night away from it all. To just sit here and enjoy your company, look at your beautiful face and watch the stars come out.”

That sounded wonderful to Evie. They spent a nice quiet evening just talking about their pasts and the hope for the future, with no mention of the darkness that was right outside their door.

Anthony stood and held his hand out to her. She could tell by the look in his eyes, it wasn’t just to go to bed. With just the moonlight to guide them, he led them into the room and slowly started to undress her. “You look so beautiful in the moonlight. I could spend hours just looking at you.” Using the back of his hand, his touch moved from her cheek, down her neck, across her nipple and down her stomach. Using his other hand he gripped the back of her neck and pulled her in for a deep kiss that made her weak in the knees.

Wanting to feel his skin she attempted to undress him while they kissed and his hand moved over her body knowing exactly where to touch for the most pleasure. Giving up she just ripped his shirt open by the buttons. They went from slow soft touches to a frenzy of tongues, touches and gripping each other. Their hands fumbling together trying to get his pants off. Finally, they were both naked, picking her up he thrust into her as they fell back on the bed.

She couldn’t get him deep enough, she wanted to feel all of him, arching as much as she could it still wasn’t enough. Forcefully, she rolled over so that she was on top of him, taking everything he had, riding him until they both collapsed in release.

~*~

Jeremy sat in a dirty rundown motel room wondering how his life had changed so much. They knew everything now. Every name he’s ever used. The house he grew up in. His secret place where he kept his most precious pictures, his videos, his treasures. They were all gone now. He’d never see them again.

He felt like the little lost boy from so many years ago when his mother was willing to leave him with his asshole of a father. Having nowhere to turn, he was at a complete loss. Picking up a photo of Evie and Anthony he stared at it, trying to come up with some plan to make it all right again.
Maybe she was the key
. She seemed to make Anthony whole again, even after learning everything that had been done to him over the years.
Maybe she can make me whole again.
He put her photo down and picked up the cologne bottle knowing this was going to help him get close to her.

Evie woke up to the sun just starting to rise and an empty bed. Knowing she wasn’t going to be able to sleep she got up and went downstairs to get some coffee Anthony had already brewed. She wondered where he was and when she went out on the back porch, she could see him standing at the water’s edge. Taking a few gulps of coffee, she set the cup down on the railing and walked out to meet him. She stopped next to him and looked out over the ocean. The ocean was calm this morning, but she could see the clouds building quickly. Lexi’s grandmother used to come out here every morning and Evie knew why now. It was so peaceful.

Sighing, when Anthony moved around to wrap his arms around her waist she tilted her head back breathing in his scent she loved so much. She ran her hands down his arms like she always did to lace her fingers with his and stopped. She started to struggle. There was a scar. Looking down she saw the jagged width of it against the tan of his skin.

“I’ve got you now. I’m never letting go. I need you to change my luck,” he hissed in her ear.

Her thoughts were whirling as he picked her up and started moving towards the ocean. It had gone from calm to thrashing waves in just a matter of seconds. She tried screaming but between the waves, wind and the lack of air in her lungs from him squeezing her so hard she barely got anything out.

“He can’t have you. You’re mine. You’ll be my good luck charm. Everything is going to change now. I’ve got you.”

“No, let me go.” He had such a grip on her she couldn’t move. She tried kicking him but couldn’t get enough momentum to do any damage. Even when she did connect, it was like he didn’t even feel it. Reaching back with one hand she tried to pull at his hair. He had it cut short so there was nothing for her to grab onto.

Reaching down she tried to pry back his fingers succeeding in breaking one of them before he squeezed her so hard she felt her ribs starting to break. Gasping for air as they got deeper and deeper into the water she knew her time was running out. Forcing her down under the water, she frantically searched the bottom of the ocean for anything that could become a weapon.

Her fingers glanced over rocks but not able to grab one before he turned her in the water. Feeling him against her, she could feel how hard he was and it made her sick. The burning in her lungs was getting worse. She knew she didn’t have much longer. Trying to do anything she could, she made herself sink, hoping to either take him with her or get closer to the rocks.

Finally her hands found a rock pulling with all of her might it wouldn’t budge. The ringing in her ears was getting louder and she knew she was going to have to take a breath soon, and then it would all be over.

Moving to the next rock she was able to get a grip on it and with every last bit of energy she swung as hard as she could at what she thought was his head. The last of her breath left her lungs as they floated away from each other into blackness.

~*~

Anthony was working in the downstairs office of the cottage when he heard Evie wake up and come downstairs, pour herself some coffee, then go out the backdoor. He wanted to finish this email before going out to join her on the beach. Since learning about Jeremy, he’d spent almost every waking hour wanting his revenge. It grew, almost completely taking him over. After hearing Kat’s story, he knew what it could end up doing to him. Feeling like he was on the verge of something huge he paused. He thought he’d heard something.

Fear gripping him as he rushed out of the house and onto the beach to see Evie being pulled into the water. His knees almost buckled. Panic rushed headlong into him; there was nothing he could do to stop it. He knew he had to get ahold of himself. Racing towards the water, he could smell the rain in the air and the wind had picked up. The waves crashed harder on the beach. Pulling his phone from his pocket to call the main house, he heard footsteps running towards him. Looking over he saw security heading in his direction.

“No!” he screamed as he saw Jeremy holding Evie under the water for too long. Moving as fast as he could through the water, his only thought was getting to her. Saving her. It felt like a nightmare, where no matter how fast you move, you still aren’t going anywhere and your destination just keeps getting further away.

Jeremy was so focused on Evie he didn’t hear Anthony’s scream. Anthony watched as an arm came up out of the water with a rock in it and hit the side of Jeremy’s head. Jeremy fell into the water and started to float away. Anthony knew he had to get to Evie, she hadn’t surfaced. With the waves beating at him, his only thought was of Evie. He couldn’t find her. Time and time again he went under the water never finding her. Wanting to scream, rage and cry he knew they were running out of time. Finally his hand brushed against her. Taking her in his arms, he surfaced and started moving as fast as he could to shore never looking back to see what had become of Jeremy.

She was so cold and still in his arms. He fought back the thought that this could be the end. This vibrant woman, whom he’d spent so much time with was gone. He couldn’t accept it. Lying her down, he started mouth-to-mouth, begging her with each breath to fight and start breathing. He almost started sobbing like a baby when she finally coughed up the seawater. Pounding on her back, he said a silent prayer when he heard the sirens approaching.

Images flashed through her mind. Jeremy. The water. No breath. Floating. Burning. Coughing. Anthony. Anthony. She had to get back to him. Slowly, she opened her eyes and there he was. Trying to lift her arm she found that she couldn’t, frowning she tried to look around but couldn’t take her eyes off of Anthony. Her rock. He was here. A tear escaped from her eye.

“Shhh… la mia belezza, everything is fine. You’ll be okay. No, don’t try to talk, you’re safe. You’re going to be okay.”

“Jeremy?”

He reached over for the water and she took a sip, soothing her burning throat. “They’re looking for his body. You scared the hell out of me. I went out to join you on the beach and he had you. A storm blew up quickly. All of a sudden, I heard people running in my direction. I knew I had to get to you, they wouldn’t make it in time.” He bowed his head. “I couldn’t get to you fast enough. I saw everything. I thought he was going to kill you. Then you had the rock and swung it. I saw the blood burst from the side of his head and he floated away. My only thought was of you.” He smoothed the hair back from her face. “All I thought about was getting to you. I pulled you from the water and we got most of it from your lungs. But you wouldn’t wake up. I’ve never been so scared in my whole life. I couldn’t lose you.”

“I’m here,” she whispered, “I’m not going anywhere.”

He leaned over so that their foreheads were touching. “You’d better be. I can’t see my life without you. Those few moments when I thought you were dead were the worst in my life. Worse than anything else Jeremy had done to me. I’d be lost in the storm without you.”

“Sounds like you’re stuck with me.”

“Sounds like it. I love you, Evie. I don’t know what the future holds. They are still looking for Jeremy’s body. With the storm, the current made it difficult to search. I’m not going to rest until I know he won’t hurt us anymore. But I can’t live without you. If I have to choose, continuing my search for Jeremy running around the world or you, I choose you.”

“Anthony, I love you. I know we can do this together. No matter what, we’ve seen the worst and now we can reach for the best, together.”

They had been so wrapped up in each other they didn’t notice Lexi and Noah at the doorway until Lexi started sniffling. Evie looked over at her and smiled. “Now, who’s doing the ugly face cry?”

“Shut up.” She raced to Evie’s side and hugged her. “I’m so happy you’re alive.” Lexi looked at Anthony. “Thank you. Thank you for saving her.” She leaned over and hugged him. Noah walked up behind her and put his hand on her back offering her his support.