Deadly In Stilettos (21 page)

             
Offering Laurel something to drink, Demi got up from her chair and walked over to the fully shocked bar. With all the drama in both their lives, a stiff drink would help them calm down. Although Demi was not a drinker, she did have one every now and them. In this case, a drink was much needed. She poured two shots of Hennessy and handed one to Laurel. They downed the drink and Demi poured them another. The drink was already calming their nerves.

             
Laurel went to freshen up in the bathroom. Alone for the moment, Demi considered what she believed. Laurel certainly had told a tragic story, but she knew from experience that people would lie, cheat, and steal to get someone to cross over to their side. Laurel Cordwright could easily be one of those people. And for her sake, Demi hoped not, or she would become the final name to her list.

             
When Laurel came out of the bathroom, she looked much better and relaxed. In fact, she looked like she had been loosed from a thousand chains. Demi was glad she was there to help lift Laurel’s spirits, with a few spirits, at a time she needed it most. Everyone needed a friend or two when dealing with a hard situation. No one should go through life facing difficulties alone.

After she and Laurel finished their third drink, they drifted
off to a peaceful sleep. Demi on one sofa, while Laurel on the other. The sunlight woke them up at the same time. They laughed, taking in the new day. They ate a hearty breakfast to nurse their hangovers. Laurel hugged Demi thanking her for everything. She told Demi she would stay at a friend’s house until she figured out what to do next. She hated that her condo was being renovated. Her parents were going to suffer, Laurel thought as she got into a cab in front of the hotel. Although she loved them, they crossed her for the last time. That part of the story was true. They did want her dead, but the real reason behind it was more complicated. Laurel would never share that story with anyone. Demi believed what she told her last night and that was all that mattered at the moment. Soon, she would tell Demi how she felt about her, and hopefully Demi would learn to love her the way she loved her.

             
Being bisexual was something Laurel prided herself in. Having the best of both worlds was truly intoxicating until she met Demi. She wanted to give up men for good and be with Demi, loving her for the rest of their days. Maybe she could make Demi feel better than any man had or ever could. They could start a new life together.

Deminis B
radshaw would soon be all hers and she would do anything to anyone who got in her way, Laurel concluded relaxing her head on the back of the seat in the cab. I slow devilish smile appeared across her face thinking about just how sweet Demi would taste.

Chapter 13

             
GREG LOOKED around the office, looking for clues. Finding out why Laurel’s parents wanted her dead was getting frustrating. The more he snooped, the less he found. Demi had already called him that morning and told him what happened with Laurel the night before, and all the other shared details about her past. That information was helpful, but he needed more. Suddenly, Greg froze. Someone was coming toward the office. He hid behind one of the oversized bookcases. The door opened, and in walked Mr. Cordwright and a man Greg recognized from the dinner party.

             
“Martin, please have a seat,” Mr. Cordwright said. “Would you care for anything to drink?”

             
The man refused, getting straight down to business. “Where is your daughter? I came back here last night to finish the job, but she wasn’t here. If you try to double-cross me, I swear, I will make your life fucking miserable. Do I make myself clear, Mr. Cordwright? I take my line of work seriously, so please do not waste my damn time. I have already wasted too much time here on your bloody cunt of a daughter anyway. I am a very busy man, and paid handsomely for my services. I could be on another job as we speak, Sir, so don’t get it confused. I am going to need more money for all the money I’m forced to pass on because of this job.”

            
 
‘This guy is ruthless
’
, Greg thought.

Mr. Cordwright got up from his seat, walking over to another bookcase, pulled out a series of limited editions revealing a safe. He touched the digital screen with the palm of his hand and the safe popped open.
The old man pulled out several stacks of money. He tossed the money over to his hired hit man before taking his seat again. It appeared to be over a million dollars, which Martin placed in his briefcase resting on the floor by his feet.

             
“We will find her and get her back here on the estate soon, don’t worry,” Mr. Cordwright said. “Her mother has been calling her all day, and she never ignores her calls for too long. This has to end sooner rather than later, Martin. A lot depends on it. She is probably with that disgrace of a man, Enry Williams. When she’s done with him, doing only God knows what, she will come home. She always does. Laurel loves this place and everything in it, so she will definitely return.”

             
Martin didn’t care if she returned. All he needed was a location and he would have put a bullet in her skull, and be on his merry way. “My time is very limited, Mr. Cordwright. I have other engagements that I must attend to. Maybe we should just lay low for a bit until the smoke clears, because its’ apparent that she senses something isn’t right. Then we can make our move with no interruptions. Laurel will be home and her suspicions will be over. I will phone you when the time is right. I will be in Denmark on another job until then. Call me if anything changes before I leave town tomorrow night,” Martin said cool and collected rising from his seat. He lifted the briefcase with his left hand, extending his right hand to the older gentleman.

             
“All right,” Mr. Cordwright said standing. “But Martin, before you go, I want to tell you that if you ever speak to me in the tone you just had, it will be you who will be watching over your shoulder or worse. I am not a man who takes kindly to disrespect, so if that’s clear, you may go and we’ll speak soon.” Martin nodded.

             
Greg was impressed. The old man was no punk, and from the expression on Martin’s face, he was also surprised by the older man’s comments. When Greg had first met the Cordwrights, he thought Mrs. Cordwright ran the show. Now, he wasn’t so sure about that. Martin and Mr. Cordwright shook hands and left the office. Greg now needed to get out of the house without anyone seeing him. He had broken in on the second level, so he needed to exit the same way. When he thought no one was there, he quietly sneaked out from the balcony. He made it to the front gate when several men in black suits rushed him.

              When Greg woke up, his hands were tied and his mouth gagged. What had he gotten himself into? A tall silhouette entered the dark room he was in and came to stand over him. When Greg got a better look of the person, he was amazed to see Enry Williams.

             
“Nice seeing you again, my brother,” Enry said with sarcasm in his voice. “Looks like you got yourself into a bit of a situation?”

             
The sarcasm in Enry’s voice angered Greg profusely. He did not know what was going on, but he would not let someone like Enry Williams get the satisfaction of seeing him sweat. “Tell me why you’re here,” Enry ordered. “I need to know for my sake and yours.” He removed the gag from around Greg’s mouth. Greg knew his answer could be critical in helping Laurel, so he chose his words carefully.

             
“I came here to talk to Laurel. When I found out she wasn’t here, even though she said she would be I decided to just leave. I guess I should have let someone know I was here, huh. My bad, Dude! I didn’t mean to cause any trouble with you and your girl. Have you seen her, by the way?” Greg could tell from Enry’s expression that he didn’t believe him.

             
“Who in the hell do you think you’re dealing with?” Enry shouted. “I’m going to give you one more chance to tell the truth. This will be your last shot. Please do not insult my intelligence again.”

             
Greg did not want to tell Enry what he knew, but maybe that was the only way to get out of this little predicament. “Okay,” he said. Before he could say anymore, someone else entered the room. It was Laurel, looking confused. She looked from Enry to Greg as if trying to figure out what was going on. She almost laughed at herself, for being so dramatic.

             
“Laurel,” Greg said quickly. “I came here to talk with you, but when I couldn’t find you, I decided to just leave. Your security people think I’m some kind of pervert or something. Will you please tell them and Enry that I am not any danger to you or your family?”

             
Laurel admired Greg’s honesty and will to get free, but she could not let him go. Although she believed him, she still knew so little about him, and he was the law. For all she knew, he could be the man her parents hired to kill her. Besides, she wanted Demi all to herself. Greg would only be in the way if she set him free. Her plan was getting better and better. Enry helped her out without even knowing it.

             
Enry turned to look at her. “What is going on here, Laurel? Baby, what is he doing here looking for you? I thought you wanted me to come over so we could talk. When I got here and saw him here, I got the feeling something else was going on. Now, I’m sure of it! Tell me what’s up. Are you fucking this Dude?” Enry was furious; his voice grew loud and high pitched to stress his point. Laurel wanted to gut punch his ass. How could he be so concerned about her now, when last night he’d brought another woman into her house, and her lover at that, plus allow her mother to suck his dick? Laurel hated him now more than ever.

             
She walked over to Greg to untie him, talking to Enry over her shoulder. “Enry, Darling, we are over. You disgust me! I thought you were someone different, special even, but the very sight of you is appalling.” The look on Enry’s face was priceless. He looked like a small child being chastised by his mother. If only she had a camera to capture the moment, Laurel thought watching him stomp out of the room like someone had stolen his fucking bike.

             
Greg laughed as Enry passed him. He rubbed his arms after Laurel finished untying him. “Thanks Laurel. I owe you!” She knew from the brief talk she’d had with Demi before arriving at the house that he was trying to help. Knowing her mother and father, she realized Greg would be in big trouble if they caught him there, so she looked for him as soon as she got back to the mansion. Her plan would just have to wait. If her parents wanted her dead, they would have a fight on their hands. She would not be frightened into leaving the home she adored. Finding out that Greg was a police detective helped to calm her nerves. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his job. When the time was right, he would be out of the picture for good, and then she could have Demi all to herself.

             
Demi and Greg were practically strangers, and here they were helping her. She would forever be in their debts, but the voices in her head refused to let her acknowledge that fact. All she knew was that she wanted Demi, and Greg posed a threat. He simply had to go.

             
  Greg explained what he found out and then promised to protect her at all costs. He also offered her his hotel suite until she found somewhere else to go. He thought it best if Laurel did not stay at the house, especially at night. “This Martin person that your father hired is a contract killer. He is ruthless, and doesn’t have a care in the world, not an ounce of compassion for anyone. His motivation is money, and lots of it. I heard the coldness in his voice, and Laurel you are in serious trouble if you stay here. He will be back!”

             
Laurel did not want to leave the estate, but agreed with Greg that she was no longer safe there. She would just have to get him another time. Right now, her life depended on him, so she needed to keep him alive a few more days. While Laurel packed some of her things, Greg phoned Demi. He explained all that happened and said he would see her soon.