Sins of the Undead Patriot (39 page)

She shoved him hard. “And you let me perform for you like some circus freak so you could get off?” She grabbed his shirt and shook him. “Why contact my lawyer and push the matter of getting hold of me? Evidently, once you found me it wasn’t that important to share Jean’s dying words. Or did you forget? Maybe you realized, as I suspected, it was all about relieving your own guilt. You bastard.”

“That’s why I questioned you about how you felt in regards to the driver. I wanted to find out why you didn’t want to know what Jean said. Maybe I was being selfish, but I was pushing his widow, because I thought she had a right to know what her husband said as he died. When you told me you wanted the driver to leave you alone, I wanted to respect that. I intended to respect your wishes and leave you alone. Then I got the call from Errol and I couldn’t leave you there to let some undead use you.”

“I wish you had.” She shoved him, grabbed sweatpants and a t-shirt from the closet and pulled on the garments. Conversation over. There was nothing for them to talk about. For a moment, she’d thought she felt something for him, but all that was gone. Inside was empty again, or at least, it would be soon.

“Leera, please, don’t leave like this.” He reached for her. “I can’t imagine what you are feeling, but I can make this right between us.”

“There is no us.” She ran to the kitchen, opened the drawer and pulled the gun from under the oven mitts.

“Shit.” Peter moved toward her. “Leera, give me the gun.” He extended his hand.

“Isn’t this what all of you wanted? Me, flying off the handle with an emotional breakdown?” Her entire body trembled. What did she feel? Anger or pain. Did it matter?

“You think I want this? I’ve only ever wanted your happiness. Mostly, for my own selfish reason, so I don’t have to take care of you anymore.” Peter shuffled closer.

Another lecture about her mother was on the horizon. Excuse her, if she just didn’t want to listen to one more! “Unlike Mom, though, I wouldn’t kill myself. I would have offed Dad.”

Vaihan had crept his way next to her, while Peter distracted her.

Leera released the safety and pointed the gun at his heart.

“You aren’t going to shoot me.” He covered her hand with his.

“I want you to see how it feels to have a gaping hole in your heart too, and yet you can’t bring yourself to feel the pain.” She pulled the trigger.

The gun clicked.

“Leera...” Vaihan’s eyes widened with pain. “I keep the first chamber empty in case a burglar got hold of the gun.” He wedged his finger between the trigger and the gunmetal. “Getting shot hurts like hell.”

She released the firearm. Despite his good humor, she and Vaihan knew she intended to kill him.

“What the hell were you thinking? Just because he can’t die, doesn’t mean you wouldn’t have gone to jail if it went off.” Peter gathered her up. “If you decide to press charges, before you do, call me and I’ll make sure she turns herself in.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t see me again. Unless, she contacts me. But given what just occurred, I’d say that’s a very low probability.”

“I don’t have shoes.”

Peter guided her to the door. “I’ll give you a piggyback ride like when we were kids.”

Her brother hadn’t done that in years. When they reached the door, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her leg on each side of his waist and then opened the door. He let her down on the passenger seat of the car and got in.

“With the attempt on the president’s life last night, there are twice as many check points.” He glanced over at her. “We should be home in time for dinner. Meg’s making a roast.”

She wasn’t in the mood for small talk. Not even close. Nor could she handle her sister-in-law. Better she change the subject.

She latched her belt and curled up toward the window. “How did you know where Vaihan was?”

“Ah, at Vaihan’s press conference he said he was going to his cabin. Meg and I attended a party there last year.” He adjusted the heat.

There really was nowhere for her to escape to. “Drop me off at Devin’s.”

“Rowley’s buddy, Devin? No. Forget it. Not going to happen.” He pulled out of the roundabout driveway. “What is it with you and Rowley?”

“It’s complicated.” Telling him the truth wasn’t an option. His stupidity–lack of cunning skill at aiding and abetting a suspected tourist–had gotten her into this mess.

“Then uncomplicate it.” He glanced over at her. It bothered him that he didn’t get her. “Is it that he was your first love?”

“That’s part of it. And the fact that he got me pregnant, I lost the baby and my ovary.” Why she was partaking in this charade of a conversation was beyond her. “I never had appendicitis. Dad made that up.”

“Are you telling me you weren’t born with just one ovary?” He looked back and forth from her to the road.

“Correct.” She pushed even further into the door. If only she could melt into nothingness. “I can see why you were always Dad’s favorite. You’d believe any lie he fed us. Even when you should have known better than to accept everything he said, just so you didn’t have to stand up to him.” Maybe that wasn’t fair, but she’d said it anyway.

“You are so naive. Is that what you think?” The pain in her brother’s eyes was real. Just like her own. “I believed Dad, because it made my life easier. I went along with Dad. Otherwise, he beat the crap out of me and Momma. We took whippings for you and all the reckless shit you did.”

Hence, the reason why she was taking her karmic payback for him.

“We had to worry he’d lose it with you like he did with Leona.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You don’t remember. Either because you were too little or you have forced yourself to forget. Dad killed her. She wouldn’t stop crying and he shook her. You were there in the room when it happened.”

This couldn’t be real. Or maybe it was... Peter had been forced to live with that. Was that what caused Mom’s first breakdown?

“Momma and I didn’t want the same thing to happen to you. After, Momma was a basket case but wouldn’t stand up to Dad.”

Leera swallowed.

“It was the first time you went into that shutdown state you hide in. You stopped talking. Neither Dad’s yelling fits or his spankings could force you out of it. In some ways, I admired your guts. He couldn’t look at you, because you knew what really happened.”

How could she have no recollection of the events? “I need you to take me to Devin’s.” She didn’t want to talk about this anymore.

“Fine. But I’m done bailing you out.” He hit the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. “I don’t want to relive our childhood, and I don’t get why you seem hell-bent on it.”

Had she lost herself, or been beaten down? Rowley was familiar, and therefore, comfortable, a port in the storm.

Chapter 50

A car pulled into the driveway. Rowley stood up and peeked out the window. His Lee-lee was home. With rushed footsteps, he opened the door. Bright sun reflected off the snow, blinding him. He shielded his eyes with his hand.

Peter carried her up the pathway in his arms, her dangling bare feet poking out from under the legs of men’s sweatpants. “She’s all yours.”

“Thank you.” Rowley scooped her up from her brother’s arms.

“I do love you, Peter.” She leaned back, meeting her brother’s angry stare.

“I know, but don’t you bring this craziness into my home.” Peter turned and headed for his car. “Stay away from us.”

Rowley shut the door, carried her to the sofa and set her down. “This is going to hurt me more than it will you.” The back of his hand struck her cheek with force.

A gasp escaped her, and she grabbed her face.

“Was that necessary?” Devin kneeled next to her and examined the point of impact.

“Yes. And now Leera and I are completely clear about her actions. Aren’t we?”

“Crystal.” She rubbed the area.

If she pulled that shit on him again, he might kill her. “One more point does have to be made between the three of us this night. Devin’s offered to take your punishment for you.”

“I’d rather he not take my punishment for me. I’m a big girl and can take my own whippings.” She sat up and met his gaze.

“I know, Lee-lee, and that is why Devin will, because I know you can shut out your own pain. But he can’t.” And knowing she’d caused another person to hurt would have a greater effect on controlling her than if he doled out the punishment to her.

“You are being an ass.” She hopped to her feet. “I did the crime. It’s only fair I do the time.”

“Rowley, we had an agreement. I’ll take the punishment for her.” Devin crossed his arms over his chest, glaring.

“I don’t care what the two of you agreed to while I wasn’t here.” She stood in front of him. “I acted recklessly, not him. I can pay for my disobedience.”

“I’m making sure neither of you is willing to take the risk of disobeying me again. That is why Devin will pay for what you both did.”

She stormed off and slammed the door to the bedroom. After Devin took his whipping, he would submit to him in front of her. What would she make of her savior then?

* * * *

Rowley stretched out his muscles. Of late, his delicate side felt neglected. Speeding up the Yang style Tai Chi made for some graceful movements. And tonight every strike would count.

Leera sat on the bed, pouting, arms and legs crossed. The soft lighting bathed her in a glow.

Devin’s six-foot-three frame towered over him by a couple of inches. He stood in silence. His chest rose and fell at a steady rate. He prepared for his punishment.

“One blow for each day she was gone. I could go with hours, minutes or seconds, but I believe this will illustrate my point. Besides, my arms will tire as I will make each strike worthwhile,” Rowley said.

Neither responded. If he didn’t admit that hitting Devin would bring him pleasure, he’d be lying. The trust between him and Devin was broken, for what? Only to have her come back as he’d predicted. He hoped to fuck it was worth the breach in their bond.

“I need to get in touch with my more delicate side.” Anger heated up inside him. Eyes closed, he took formation and moved the right foot a step forward, straightening the left leg with the heel pressing on the floor while bending his legs. He raised his right hand obliquely upward to eye level, palm facing upward and elbows slightly bent, and smashed Devin’s face.

A grunt escaped Devin.

Tears spilled down Leera’s face. She covered her mouth with her hand.

“One.” One for every night his bed remained empty and cold. “Seven more to go.” Rowley moved in closer. “You shouldn’t have helped her escape. I wouldn’t have done anything to her. That would have left permanent damage.” He brought his elbow back and whacked Devin’s jaw.

His face whipped back. “Fuck.” Blood spattered on the mirror.

“Two. Six left.” He grinned.

The man would be on his knees in no time. Despite the fact that Devin was stronger than him, he would do nothing to defend or protect himself. Devin knew he’d broken the code.

Rowley slid into the single whip, shifted his weight onto his left leg, while turning the toes of his right foot inward. He swiveled his body to the left and moved both hands to the left with a hand on top, until his left arm extended at shoulder level, palms forced outward into Devin’s chest. “Three.” Then he thrust his palms in his abdomen again. “Four.”

A kick with his right heel seemed like the logical next move. Taking a cleansing breath, he separated his hands, extending them sideways at shoulder level, elbows slightly bent and palms turned outward. He raised his right leg, bent it at the knee and kicked forward toward the right. The blow’s impact hit the side of Devin’s face. Blood dripped from the corner of his eyebrow. “Five.” Rowley repeated the same kick to the left. “And six.”

Rowley cocked back and rammed his knuckles in Devin’s cheek. “Seven. Only one more to go.” Better he make this one memorable. Where to strike, to hurt him without gravely injuring him? He stepped back to put his body into the assault and thrust his fist to his forehead. “Eight.”

A gash opened above Devin’s brow. Blood slipped from the flesh, and Devin sucked air in between his teeth. “Shit.”

“You can be such a bastard.” Leera jumped off the bed.

“Interfere, and I will start all over again.” Rowley huffed. Not that he wanted to–he was sore. “On your knees.” He pointed to the floor in front of him. Excitement filled him at the thought of Lee-lee watching Devin pleasure him. His tongue wasn’t without talent.

Devin reached up and unfastened the button, then lowered the zipper on Rowley’s pants.

The shaft of his cock grew by the second.

Devin reached into his boxers and withdrew his penis. “This is what you want, isn’t it, Rowley?”

Hell, yes. Devin’s smooth lips met with the head of his cock, tracing the outer edge, then his mouth opened and the length of him vanished inside. The silky wetness of Devin’s hot mouth glided up and down. In and out, he slipped his shaft, then moved deeper in.