Business: Phoenix #1 (20 page)

At home, Matt is waiting for me with a huge sexy grin
across his face. "I have a surprise for you."

I walk over and kiss him on the cheek. "And what
might that be?"

He pulls me over to the couch and pushes me down to sit
before entering the kitchen. "Close your eyes!" He calls and I do.
What is he up to? He isn't making this easier for me.

"Hold out your hands." His voice is close and I
assume he is a few feet away from me.

I feel warmth and fluff wriggling in my arms so instantly
open my eyes. A beautiful puppy is staring at me, big brown eyes and a little
black nose which is wet. I can't tell what breed it is but it is so cute. The
dog instantly jumps up and licks my face.

"You bought me a dog?" I grin, stroking and
making a fuss over my new baby.

"He's called Benji. I rescued him from a local shelter;
he's only four months old and was found dumped by a local supermarket. He's a
crossbreed." He smiles before sitting down beside me and making a fuss
over Benji who is still in my lap.

"I love him, thank you!" I reach over and kiss
Matt on the cheek.

We play with Benji for a little while before I turn to
speak to Matt. "I'm going to spend the night with Han tonight; she had an
argument with Andrew and has been feeling down. I hope you don't mind."

His face tightens. "Why don't you get her to come and
stay here? We have plenty spare rooms."

"Because we want a girl’s night."

"I thought we would spend the night together with
Benji." He explains, his face still tight, jaw clenched.

"We can do that tomorrow." This isn't going to
be as easy as I thought. I look at my watch; I am supposed to pick Michelle up
in half an hour. I'm going to have to think quickly for this to work.

"I'm sure Hannah will be fine on her own for the
night." He argues.

"Hannah has been there for me since we were twelve
years old.  I won’t abandon her when she needs me.  Surely you don’t think I
would.  She’s family to me.  "I try to reason with him. I wish I could
just snuggle with him and Benji but I need to stop Jason before it goes too
far. Before he does get to Matt or Hannah.

"What's going through your mind, Case? I know there’s
something more to this. Speak to me-“

“I’m overwhelmed.  I feel like I’m on an amusement park
ride that won’t stop.  Everything has happened so fast and it’s just too much. 
I just need to relax with Han and watch The Notebook.  And Hannah is
distraught, so it’s not fair to her to make her come here.”

I instantly regret it when I see the hurt in his eyes.  He
runs a hand through his hair before letting out a frustrated sigh.  He begins
pacing.  It reminds me of a trapped animal. 

"Everything is just moving too fast for me, Matt. 
Please try to understand" I plead.  I need to leave for him, to protect
him, Hannah and his family, too.  Any harm that comes to them is because of me.

"I thought you loved me?" He asks his voice low.

“I do, I really do, Matt.  I just need to sort my head
out.  I...I won’t stay over at Hannah’s.  I’ll just go and come back late. 
What about that?” I say pleased with my bargaining.  I don’t know if it will
give Michelle and me enough time, but at least it will be a start. 

Matt just continues to pace.  He doesn’t say a word.

 I put Benji in his bed Matt must have bought him; he is
surrounded by toys and chews. He attacks a small teddy bear which is on the
inside of the bed and starts throwing it with his mouth before chasing it with
a little bark. Adorable.

I run upstairs and instantly notice Matt has spread red
and white rose petals along the bedroom floor and on top of our bed. There is a
bottle of champagne with two flutes on my bedside table; they can't have been
there that long as the ice in the cooler hasn't melted yet.  I close my eyes.
To make myself believe that I am not being a bitch just for the sake of it.
There is a reason behind it - to potentially save the people I love. I just
wish I could tell him, but I know he would try to stop me.

I can't believe the man who isn't particularly big on
romance has planned a romantic evening for the two of us and got me-us a puppy.
From a rescue shelter, he knows how much that means to me.

I take a few moments to take everything in before changing
in to some sweat pants, a vest top and trainers. I throw a black hoodie on and
tie my hair up in a ponytail.

Downstairs
Matt is sat back on the couch, his t-shirt removed and his torso now on show. I
notice his chest is rising and falling slowly.

He stands and walks to me. 

“No.” He says simply.

“No what?” I ask confused.

“No, I don’t want you to go to Hannah’s at all.  Graham or
one of the other security guys can bring her here.  Something’s not right, I
feel it in my gut, Case,” he says in a determined tone.

It’s now or never.  I don’t like what’s about to happen. 
We’ve come to an impasse.

“Matt, I love you, but you are not going to tell me what
to do!  I’m fucking Casey Phoenix, I make my own decisions!” I declare close to
tears.

I walk around him, out the door and into my car.

~~~~~

I pick Michelle up in my Audi; she has also opted to wear
sweat pants and trainers.

We follow the navigation system on my car and we when
finally arrive at the address Noel had given me it is dark outside.

The street is small, with a maximum of six houses. All
detached but old fashioned and all in need of renovating. Jason's house is at
the far end of the street and is mostly in darkness; apart from one upstairs
room has a light on. There are a number of trees surrounding the house and a
rotting wooden gate which is left wide open. I park my car down the street.
Turn to face Michelle "Ready?" I ask, she replies with a nod and we
exit the car before heading towards the house.

We head inside of the gate and the garden is unruly, weeds
almost tall enough to reach my waist.

"Try to be as quiet as you can." I turn and
whisper to Michelle and we hold hands, both of us scared and unsure of what is
going to happen next.

"Are we going to knock or just walk in?" Her
voice is also quiet, a whisper.

"I don't know...maybe it’s not locked." I look
down at the ground and back up to her.

"Shall we sneak in and hide? Try to get to grips with
what we’re dealing with." It’s a good idea and I nod before pulling us
both forward towards the door, which I open. We step in before Michelle quietly
closes the door behind us.

It takes a while for my eyes to adjust as it is dark and
there is no light on, we are in the kitchen which is filthy and littered. Every
work top is covered in dirty plates, food wrappers and the stench hits us
immediately. We both throw our hands to our face, covering our noses and
mouths. I look to the floor which is also full of rubbish and navigate us to
the next door which takes us to a living room - equally as messy. The next door
takes us to a steep, straight up staircase. We know a light is on upstairs so
we are aware that he is there. I turn to look at Michelle and start up the
stairs, my steps light and careful so I don't make a noise, Michelle close
behind me.

I have an eerie feeling, like all the happiness, love and
warmth has been snapped out of me.  This place is the worst place I have ever
been. It is cold - like there has never been any heating system turned on for
years. Like there has never been any happiness or color. I bet rats and spiders
decide against staying here.

Once at the top of the staircase we notice the light is on
in a room at the far end of the corridor. I can hear voices and laughing, but
my heart beat pounding in my ears blocks me from hearing what they are saying.
We find an open door and I peer inside, realizing it is a large storage
cupboard we step inside, closing the door so we are hidden. Michelle stays
behind me whilst I watch through the small crook of the door.

And
we wait.

~~~~~

Matt

I don't understand what's going through her head, she told
me she loves me, and I know she does. I can see it in her eyes, but she openly
defied me.  I’m right about this, but maybe trying to force her wasn’t the best
way to handle this.

I need to speak to her; we can't leave things like this.

I pace the living room floor, Benji playfully running
after my feet as I do. I pick up my phone and try to dial Casey but her phone
goes straight to voicemail – must be switched off. I leave a quick message
asking her to call me as soon as she has chance.

I know Hannah will be with her so I call her next.

"Hi Matt!" Her high pitched voice fills my
ears.  She doesn’t sound like she’s upset.

"Hi Hannah, can I speak to Case please?" I ask
when I put my cell back to my ear.

"Case? She isn't with me Matt, sorry..." She
seems as confused as me. "Has something happened?"

"She told me that she was hanging out with you and
watching The Notebook.” I explain.

"What?  No, we don’t have plans.  Have you tried
contacting her?" Her voice is now as urgent as mine.

"Yeah her cell is switched off."

I start to panic, it isn't like Casey to have her phone
switched off so we can't contact her and it isn't like her to lie to us.

"I'll be right over." Hannah ends the call and I
drop my cell to the couch before picking Benji up.

~~~~~

Casey

I tense as I hear footsteps heading out of the room and
into the hallway where we are hiding. I peer through the gap in the door, one
eye closed so I can focus properly with the other.

I see a man heading towards the staircase and it takes me
a few moments to realize that this is Jason; this is the person who has been
fallowing me and tormenting me for the past few months.

And I realize that I’ve seen this man.

He is the man we passed when we volunteered to walk the rescue
dogs in Saltburn that day. The man in the cap who gave us the creepy smile.

He followed us to Saltburn.

~~~~~

Matt

It's not long until the living room is full. Hannah,
Andrew, James, Grace and two of our security guards.

Hannah is on the floor making a fuss of Benji who was a
little intimidated by being surrounded by so many new people all at once.

"We can track her car." Graham, head of our
security speaks.

"Then what are we waiting for?" James's voice is
demanding.

What if Casey doesn't want us to follow her? What if she
is with another man?

I quickly shake the thoughts from my mind; I know she
wouldn't be cheating on me. Or I hope she isn't.

Graham looks at me then back at James before standing and
speaking quietly into his cell phone. I can't really hear what he is saying but
I know he is giving orders.

"I hope she is okay." Grace's voice is low as
she watches Hannah holding Benji; she is as worried as the rest of us. Hannah
realizes that she is being watched and raises her head, tear stained cheeks and
red eyes smile at her before looking down at the bundle of fur on her lap.

Andrew hasn't spoken since he arrived. Probably worried
sick about his little sister.

Like I am.

It is driving me crazy. I can’t just stand here and do
nothing. I just want to speak to her and make sure everything is okay.

I need to know she is safe.

Casey

The pounding in my ears is getting louder and louder.

Jason is standing inches away from us, the other side of
the door but looking directly down the stairs.

I can't hold my breath much longer or I will pass out.

I squeeze Michelle's hand.

I hear a woman's soft cry and I recognize the voice.

And
I realize it’s Julie.

~~~~~

Matt

I pace the floor for the umpteenth time I am aware
everybody’s eyes are on me like I am some sort of mad man but I can't help it.

I feel fucking helpless. I should be there, protecting her
from whatever she is going through.

I feel hands on my shoulders to stop me and I spin on my
heel to meet James.

"Calm down Matt, Graham’s security team will be back
soon to let us know about the tracking... Sit down and Grace will grab you a
drink." I know by his voice that this isn't a request, it is an order.

I shrug my shoulders to loosen his grip before I continue
to pace.

The woman I love is missing, I can't contact her and he expects
me to sit and just fucking wait and have a damn drink. 

Is he crazy?

"For fucks sake!" My voice is loud, almost a
roar as I slam my fist in to the wall, the connection makes me feel better but
when I move my fist it reveals a large hole.

~~~~~

Casey

Michelle and I hold hands, trying not to breathe.  Maybe
he’ll go back down the hall and we can escape.  We have to get out.  Maybe
Michelle can get out and call for help and I can try to get Julie out of here. 

Suddenly Jason swings the door open.  His smell assaults
my senses.  His hair is long, dark and greasy.   A creepy smile is on his face,
his eyes wide. "About time, Casey!"

He pulls me out of the cupboard and I try to wriggle out
of his grip, his long ragged nails digging into my sides.

"Get the fuck off me!" I can't help myself, my
hand which was holding Michelle breaks free and I slap him - the contact with
his face burning the palm of my hand.

"Oh, Casey!  You like it rough, do you?  Is this how
you want to play? "

He rams his body into me and pins me against the wall. 
His erection pushing against me, making me feel sick with fear.  His vile
breath is in my face.  I pull with all my might to get away.  I stomp on his foot
and he screams and his head slams down to mine. Pushing me backwards with the
force but his arms keeping me secured in place. The pain makes me dizzy and I
throw my hands to my face.

I
hear footsteps running down the stairs and I move my hands from my face so I
can glance over and realize Michelle is running away, leaving me alone in this
crazy house, with a man who has threatened me for months. 

I
pray she gets away and brings help

~~~~~

Hannah

I watch as Andrew and James try to control Matt.

James's strong arms are wrapped around him and Andrew is
trying to talk sense into him.

Graham and his team returned and confirmed that she was at
an address around twenty miles or so away.

They confirmed a man called Jason lives there and they
explained he was a psychopath.

I am guessing that he is the stalker.

Graham explained that they were sending some guys over to
check the house out and to make sure everything was okay. Matt wouldn't listen
and said he was going to get her. When Graham told him not to because chances
are that it wouldn't be safe he started shouting and swearing at them.

I just want to speak to Casey.

I
want to know she is okay.