Deadly In Stilettos (29 page)

“I pulled my gun and ordered him
to move away from you. I thought you were dead. He attacked me like a raged animal and I shot him.” Demi’s eyes asked was Enry died. Greg went on. “No, he is still alive. He’s in critical condition right now, but they think he will make it. Don’t worry, Demi. Enry will spend a very long time in prison for attempted murder. Now rest. You need your strength so we can get you out of here.”

Demi couldn’t believe what Greg told her, but the aches and pain throughout her body told her it was true. A broken jaw,
nose, and arm were just a few of her injuries, but she would make a full recovery, according to what Greg and her doctor said. She had undergone several surgeries because of her injuries, but now,she was out of taking the walk to the
‘
upper-room
’
.

Meanwh
ile, Enry was somewhere in the same hospital fighting for his life. Demi wanted him dead, and by her own hands. He didn’t get to get off that easy after what he had just put her through. As soon as she was able to find out where he was, she would make sure he never left the hospital, except through the morgue. He would soon become maggot food.

Chapter 18

             
A FEW days passed. Demi was making great progress. The doctor told her she would be able to return to her daily activities soon and get on with her life. She was relieved, anxious to finish off the last two names on her list.

             
Greg left for Dallas, but promised he would return as soon as he was able to get away from work. Demi thought that was a bit strange, under the circumstance, but didn’t question him. If he was gone, she wouldn’t have to worry about him when she planned her move of attack on Enry. Her first day in the hospital, she overheard Greg speaking with his boss. It sounded like they didn’t expect him back for another week, yet he had looked her straight in the face saying he was needed in Dallas for work. The story he told her was that he had been away too long and he didn’t want to lose his job. If that was the case, she understood completely, if not, she would find out soon enough.

             
There was something about his story that Demi didn’t understand, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Why Greg was acting so strange was beyond her? Whatever he had going on must be truly important. For now, she would allow Greg his space. Maybe at the right time he would tell her whatever it was he was dealing with. The day after Greg left, Tabi came to pick her up from the hospital. Demi would be staying with her until she was able to fly home to Las Vegas. When Demi looked at herself in the mirror, she was heartbroken. Even though the swelling was going down, her face still looked pretty bad. Not to mention the bandage across her nose. Her jaw was healing well, though, and her left arm with its lightweight cast hurt less each day. Demi credited her fast progress to her will to get revenge on Enry Williams.

             
While she waited for Tabi, Demi called a bait shop. The man she spoke with assured her that the little creatures she was asking about would do what she needed and wanted them for. All she needed to do now was get them without anyone finding out. Then they would suck the life right out of her next victim. Enry was still in ICU, but was predicted to make a full recovery. That would never happen if Demi had her way, and she would. He had done more than cause her great pain, both in her past and present. He would not be around to hurt her or anyone else in the future.

             
Demi called her office. She was put through to her boss immediately. He knew what had happened and assured her he would stand behind her in whatever decision she made involving her career. Although she had no intentions of leaving her job, Demi needed time to recuperate. Her body was too fragile for traveling, and her mind was not stable enough to focus on anything beyond getting revenge on Enry and Anya.

             
When Tabi came to the hospital, she was grinning and carrying a shopping bag. She handed the bag to Demi as soon as she entered the room. As if she already knew what was inside, Demi’s whole face lit up. She pulled out a shoe box and opened it. Inside was, of course, a pair of stilettos. The Report Signature Dante, made from purple satin and leather with fabric ruffles, a T-strap lined zipper, and slightly pointed toe. They were stilettos to die for. Demi was speechless. They were gorgeous, chic, the sexiest shoes she had ever laid eyes on.

             
“Bingo,” Tabi said. “I thought you’d like them.”

             
“Tabi, I love them. Where did they come from? I love Report Signature, but they only make so many each year. The waiting list is endlessly insane.”

             
Tabi merely said she had her way of getting things when she really wanted to. Tabi helped her put the shoes on, and when the nurse came in with her wheelchair, Demi modeled them for her. She gave Tabi a big hug. The two of them laughed like children all the way to Tabi’s car. Tabi was glad she had her friend sitting beside her. Enry Williams tried to take her away from them all, and for her, again. It was hard losing Demi to miles and miles across the country before, and Tabi was just truly grateful to still have her alive. He would suffer for that. Tabitha would do everything in her power to make sure he suffered greatly. But for now, she would make sure Demi stayed safe. Tabi loved her friend and she did not want anything else to happen to her. She would never be able to forgive herself if anything did.

             
Thinking back to a time in her life when she had almost been killed by someone she once loved, Tabitha fought back tears. She did not need to break down while Demi was around, but the memory was so painful. Tabitha had never shared it with anyone. Maybe it was time to relive the pain and share it with Demi. Now that she’d had a similar experience, maybe Demi could shed some insight on what had happened to both of them, and they could help each other get passed it. Keeping the pain all bottled up inside was not healthy. The money she spend each week on therapy was also not helping. Tabitha knew she had a tenuous grasp on her sanity and she needed help quickly. Right now, Demi was her only chance in getting her life back. Her attacker was still out there. Tabitha saw his face every day.

             
Demi watched Tabi fight with her emotions. They had been friends for many years, but she had never witnessed Tabi looking so defeated. If there was anything she could do to help, she would, but Tabi would have to open up to her. Demi might have to let Tabi in on her own little secret in order to get full revenge on Enry. If she was not able to accomplish her goal, he might attack her again. Rage stirred inside her as she thought of him laughing, telling people how he had dealt with her. She knew his game. She would never allow him to get away with hurting her anymore. If it meant her getting caught for killing him in broad daylight then that is exactly what she would do.

             
By the time Tabitha parked in front of her brownstone, Demi had dozed off to sleep. Tabitha touched Demi’s hand to wake her. Dazed and confused, Demi jumped. After a few seconds, she realized it was only Tabi and she relaxed. “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Tabi said, “but we’re home. Let me just go unlock the door. I’ll be right back to help you into the house.”

             
Within minutes, Demi was in the guestroom enjoying the plush covers on the king-sized bed. Tabi had really gone all out for her. The spotless room was filled with magazines, books, crossword puzzles, and other things Demi enjoyed. Tabi even placed a few fresh flowers throughout the room. If Demi hadn’t known better, she would have thought she was home in her own bedroom. “Tabi, you are the best. I love the way you fixed the room to make me comfortable, but this is your home. Whatever you have will be great for me. Please don’t go to any more trouble.”

             
“Girl, no trouble at all. Besides, it gave me something to do while you were in the hospital. This is nothing. And I know you would have done the same thing for me.”

             
Demi took a nap. Her body was starting to ache and her mind was working overtime. It felt good getting a peaceful sleep for the first time in weeks. For that, she was extremely thankful. She smelled a wonderful aroma when she woke up and walked into the kitchen. There was Tabi, cooking and singing. Demi smiled. It had been ages since anyone cooked for her. The way the food smelled she could not wait to dig in.

             
The dinner of stuffed flounder and roasted vegetables was delicious. Demi did not have much appetite at first, but Tabi insisted she eat more. If she wanted all her strength to return so that she could get better, she had to nourish her body. Demi ate so much, she felt like she was going to pop.

             
“Dinner was great, Tabi. Thank you for looking out for me. I appreciate your true friendship.”

             
“That is what friends do for each other. Demi, I’m just glad you’re here. Enry really did a number on you. He will not get away with it.”

             
Demi could tell by the look on Tabi’s face that she meant every word. It was time to share her secret with her best friend. Demi hoped she was not making the biggest mistake in her life. After Tabi cleaned the kitchen, she and Demi went into the living room, where a fire burned in the fireplace. The weather had turned nippy. The forecast indicated the temperature would drop drastically over the next few days.

             
Fall had arrived with winter just around the corner. Demi wanted her list complete so she and Greg could spend their first holidays together without any sudden mishaps. Demi got comfortable on the sofa while Tabi put more wood on the fire. Greg called to see how Demi was feeling and informed her he would be back in New York when he got a break from work. Demi was pleased. Still, she did not want him anywhere near when she carried out her plan to take Enry out. He would probably be released from the hospital in less than a month. He would then be arraigned in court and the judge would set bail, and Demi guessed that he would pay the bail and not spend one night in jail. This bothered her.

             
Once Tabi was done with the fire, Demi decided it was time to talk with her about Enry. Before she could speak, though, Tabi said, “Demi, I have to ask you something. It may sound horrible, but I need to know how you feel about it.” Puzzled, Demi told her to go on.

             
“I hate Enry for what he’s put you through. I feel as if I’m partly to blame for it. If I had never introduced you to him, he would have never hurt you so badly.” Demi wanted to stop Tabi, but her friend went on. “I want him to die for what he has done. I plan to have him killed. That way he will not be able to hurt you or anyone else again. I know of a contract killed named Martin, who will take care of everything without anyone knowing or tracing it back to me or you. He is expensive, but his work proceeds itself.” Tabi looked away from Demi.

             
Demi was shocked, but then a big smile spread across her face. She couldn’t believe what Tabi had just told her. But she couldn’t involve her friend. She wanted to do this on her own, in her way to ensure that the job would get done.

             
“What’s so funny?” Tabi asked, looking back at Demi. “Did you hear what I just said?”

             
Demi moved from the sofa, joining Tabi on the floor. “Tabi, I’ve wanted to share this with you for so long. Now I have the chance. I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time. I have been plotting to take out Enry Williams for years. I tried several times, but something always happened. Now that I know you feel the way as I do, we will finally succeed. I have a plan if you are willing to help me.”

             
Tabi smiled and leaned closer to hear every detail. At that moment, something stirred inside her. She liked the way it made her feel. She felt alive. And she had Demi to thank for that. Maybe Demi could help her deal with her little problem as well. That thought put an even bigger smile across her face. Demi shared her plan with Tabi. Tabi was fascinated. “I think it is genius. We have to work fast though. Enry will be out of the hospital soon. If it happened at the hospital, no one would think to look in our direction. So when shall we plan to do this?”