Deadly In Stilettos (31 page)

             
Enry believed he could feel the leeches draining his blood. He tried to move, fight, and stay alive, but that was hopeless. Demi walked toward the door, blew him a kiss, and then was gone. Enry fought hard to remain conscious. His movements got slower, his body became numb, cold. The leeches kept sucking, sucking the life right out of him. Demi and Tabi got into Tabi’s car. The weather had changed, and the sun was shining brightly. They put on their designer sunglasses and grinned like teenagers going on a joyride. They didn’t speak, but the message was clear. Their secret would remain, even beyond the grave. The bond they shared was greater than before. No one would ever come between them.

Chapter 20

             
WHEN GREG saw Demi, he could not help but smile. She looked beautiful, and her shoes were amazing. Although he was not into shoes, he was learning to admire and appreciate them just from being with Demi. In such a short time, she had taught him many things about buying, caring for, and simply loving beautiful shoes. He wanted to shower her with them for the rest of her life, and he would soon do just that. The little turquoise box was hidden in his luggage. When he hadn’t found Demi at Tabi’s house, he’d gone directly to Tiffany’s and picked up a three carat princess-cut diamond ring, set in platinum. He was sure Demi would love it. She did not wear much jewelry, but the pieces she did have were top of the line. A woman like Demi deserved only the best.

             
Demi could not take her eyes from Greg. He looked so handsome, better than before. His eyes shone brighter than she remembered. His body looked more toned. His bald head gleamed better than Michael Jordan’s. His face was flawless. She leaped into his arms. She wanted to feel protected. The feel of his body against hers chased away all thoughts of what she had just done an hour ago. Tabitha admired the lovely couple standing in her foyer. She loved seeing people happily in love. She too had once loved, but God had other plans for him. She only hoped that someone would come along and knock her off her feet again. There had been one man after her husband died. Brian was special. They were happy until he betrayed her. Although she still cared for Brian, he could never completely have her trust again. Some things were never forgotten. For now, she was happy for her friend. With everything Demi had been through, she really deserved someone like Greg. Still, the thought that he was hiding something nagged at her.

             
Tabitha offered Greg something to eat or drink, but he had other things on his mind. From the look on Demi’s face, so did she. They excused themselves, grabbing Greg’s bag along the way, they headed up the stairs to Demi’s room. Before the door was closed and locked, they were all over each other. Greg did manage to stop long enough to ask if she was sure she was up for this. The doctor, he reminded her, said to take it slow and easy. “I do plan on taking it slow and easy,” she said, licking her lips. “Now bring your fine ass over here and slow me just how much you missed me.”

             
Greg did not think twice. They made love for hours, careful to make little noise. Greg was also careful not to hurt Demi’s healing body. He took special care of it. He kissed her all over, trying to kiss the pain away. The energy between them became more intense, and they lost themselves in each other. As they lay in each other’s arms, Demi told Greg how much she loved him, but her thoughts were of Makei.

             
Greg got out of the bed, picked up his bag, and went into the adjoining bathroom. When he returned, Demi pulled the covers back for him, revealing her nakedness. Greg’s dick immediately grew hard. But instead of getting back into the bed with her, he got down on one knee, holding his hands behind his back. Her eyes widened. What was happening?

             
“Deminis Bradshaw, I love you with all my heart and soul. From the first time we spoke on the phone, I knew you and I would meet. Then the first time I saw you, you stole my heart. I have loved you since that day at the spa. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, and buy you any pair of shoes you desire, for the rest of our lives together.” Greg revealed the Tiffany’s box he’d been hiding behind his back. “Will you do the honor of making me the happiest man on this planet and marry me?” Tears were flowing uncontrollably down Demi’s face. She put her hands over her mouth to keep from screaming, but it did not help. She leaped out of the bed into Greg’s arms, saying, “Yes, yes, yes! I will marry you, baby.”

             
Greg held her, drawing her closer to his heart. They sealed their engagement and love with a long, passionate kiss. Greg opened the box, and Demi almost fainted. The ring was breathtaking. And it fit perfectly. “Greg! I love it! When did you do all this?” He told her he would explain later. Right now he wanted to make love to his future wife again. When they had enjoyed each other and were completely satisfied, they went to find Tabi to tell her the good news. She was in the living room in front of the fire. Demi sat down beside her, letting the ring show on purpose. Tabi screamed. “Wait, what is that on your finger? Oh my God! No way! Are you kidding me?”

             
She and Demi hugged and laughed, and then they waved Greg over to join them. The three embraced laughing and crying. Tabitha fetched a bottle of champagne from the refrigerator to toast the occasion. She handed out the glasses and then made a toast. “I want to say congratulations. It could not have happened to two better people. Greg, you better take care of my best friend. Demi, you better take care of this beautiful piece of God’s creation. I wish you both the best in every aspect of your lives, and hurry up and make me an auntie.”

             
As the words came from her mouth, Tabi instantly regretted saying them. She had forgotten that Demi had been advised not to get pregnant. Demi sipped her champagne without a blink. Greg thanked Tabitha, and then said he needed to call his family to tell them the good news. After he left, Tabi hugged Demi so tightly, Demi couldn’t breathe. “Demi, I am so sorry. I totally forgot. Does Greg know? Please forgive me!” Tabitha felt like a complete idiot.

             
“It’s okay. I plan to tell him soon enough, but not right now. Let’s just enjoy this happy occasion and just celebrate tonight. The rest can wait for another day.”

The next day, Demi went to the hospital for a follow-up appointment with her doctor. He told her that her injuries were healing perfectly. The cast on her left arm could be taken off in a few more days. After he
explained other details about her injuries, the doctor surprised her by saying, “It’s a shame about what happened to Enry Williams.”

             
“What do you mean?” she asked.

             
“Oh, you didn’t hear? Someone went into his room a few days ago and put leeches all over his body. He died earlier this morning. The doctors tried saving him, but it was as if he gave up fighting. The nasty little creatures sucked the life right out of him. I guess for you, justice was served.”

             
Demi did not find that last comment funny or appropriate. “Do the police have any idea who would do something so cruel?”

             
“Deminis, Enry Williams had a lot of enemies. Rumor has it; it was just a matter of time before something like this happened to him. Finding out who got to him first will be the hard part. I bet the police don’t know who to look at first. Good thing you don’t have to worry about that, since you have been on bed rest and staying with a friend.”

             
Demi puzzled over his words. It was almost as if the doctor was helping her out with an alibi. Did he know something? The thought of someone seeing her leave Enry’s room had not crossed her mind until that very moment. The look on the doctor’s face was unreadable. If he was implying anything, she could not tell. Demi felt sick to her stomach. The doctor asked her if she had any questions about her recovery process, and then said, “I see something has changed since you’ve left the hospital.”

             
“What?” She saw his pointed look at her left hand and realized he was talking about her engagement ring. “Yes.” She beamed. “I just got engaged.” Demi flashed the ring proudly for her doctor could get a better look. It sparkled, and she loved it!

             
“Well, isn’t that something. Congratulations! You deserve to be happy with all you have been through, Ms. Bradshaw.” That comment struck her as odd. Did he know her from somewhere? She studied his face, trying to remember if she’d known him back in the day when she lived in New York. She could not. “Thank you. I truly appreciate you saying so.” She thanked him again for his generosity and left his office. The feeling she knew him rattled her. Something was not right. The fact that the doctor seemed to know more than he was letting on did not sit well with Demi. When she left the hospital, she immediately called Tabi. “We have a problem!”

             
“What are you talking about? Calm down. Where are you?”

             
“Just leaving the hospital, I had a check-up today. The doctor seemed to know more about me than he should. He said some things that unnerved me. Do you know him, Tabi? Do I know him and forgot that I did?” Tabi was speechless. The day had come. Out of all the doctors in the city, how could Brian turn out to be Demi’s doctor? She and Brain had dated years ago when Demi and Enry were first getting to know each other. Demi only met him a couple of times, so she probably did not remember him. 

             
Brian knew many things about Demi, thanks to Tabitha sharing them with him. She would have never guessed in a million years he would come back into her life, and possibly bite her in the ass. With everything he knew about Demi, he could easily ruin her. Tabitha had to pay Brian Staples a visit. She needed him to keep what he knew a secret. She would make sure he did just that, even if it meant she had to cut his tongue cut.

             
As Demi waited for a cab, she told Tabi she would talk with her later. She wanted to know more about Dr. Brian Staples. Greg would know just what to do, but she hadn’t been able to reach him. Demi felt as if her world was tumbling down. Every time she was happy and secure in a relationship, something terrible soon followed. Today was one of the days that Demi felt would cause more trouble for her. If Brian Staples tried to cross her, he would be added to her list, and pay dearly just like all the others.

Chapter 21