Deadly In Stilettos (38 page)

             
Brian placed the shoe in front of Tabitha. It was a beauty. She knew that it was one Demi purchased the day they went shopping before she left town. She admired the shoe. It had Deminis Bradshaw written all over it.

             
“So, what’s our next move?” Brian asked. “We have to do something quickly. Those two are really out to get Demi, especially the woman. If we don’t do anything soon, they just might succeed. While I was in Dallas, I followed both of them on several occasions, and they met with another who wants Demi to suffer. What is it about her that makes people want to harm her so much?”

             
That was a question Tabitha asked herself repeatedly until she finally learned Demi’s true destiny. She also wondered how Brian knew how to follow people without being seen, or his other investigational skills. He was hiding something from her too; she just hoped he wouldn’t regret it.

             
The devil had set his trap for Demi even before she was born, and because she had no one to protect her, he wove his web to get Demi for himself. There were great plans for Deminis Bradshaw if she chose wisely, but until she realized them for herself, no one could help her. Unfortunately, evil had consumed her and she had done many things she would soon regret.

             
Tabitha believed in her friend and would stand by her side until the end of time. She felt as if she was a guardian angel sent to protect Demi from evil. Now that Demi was able to see passed Greg’s charm, Tabitha could finally help her. It was hard seeing Demi fall victim to such evil, so many times. Tabitha wanted on more than one occasion to deal with Greg. It had hurt like hell when he proposed to Demi at her home and she’d had to play along, acting happy. Now she did not have to. Things were about to change. Although Tabitha did not want to resort to evil tactics, Greg and Sidney had to be dealt with. Too much was at stake if something bad happened to Demi again. The entire world would be consumed by darkness and evil. Demi could not handle any more pain. She would instead take out her vengeance on the world at large, bringing her own justice to whoever deceived her. Tabitha quivered at the thought of that image. Demi was a great person, but even great people could become evil if pushed over the edge of reasoning. With Tabitha’s help, Demi could live the life planned for her instead of the one she had made for herself.

Chapter 27

DEMI ARRIVED in New York right o
n schedule. She thought better of going to Dallas as she waited in New Mexico on a long layover. She could not wait to see Tabi and tell her about the dream that had that opened her eyes. Her life was happier than it had ever been. She was so excited to share it with her best friend. Demi knew Tabi was a true friend because no matter the situation, she was always there for her. It was strange when she thought of it now, but even before they met, Demi felt a connection to Tabi. Their connection would only get greater as time went on.

             
As a child, Demi knew someone was watching over her, keeping her safe. Now she knew for certain it was her guardian angel. She had many questions for Tabi. Maybe with Tabi’s help, she could get some clarity about the things she had encounteredthroughout her life
.
‘And life is getting more and more interesting by the minute,
’
she thought.

Demi checked her messages as soon as the plane landed. Makei had called several times, saying he would wait as long as he had to
, to be with her. At that moment she knew for certain he was the one put on this earth to love, protect, and take care of her forever. How was she going to break the news to Greg? A voice spoke to her, saying, “Greg will soon he gone.” Sadness washed over her as she realized Greg was not the person she’d believed him to be. His deception was greater than any other’s. He would have a lot of explaining to do if he wanted her to take his name off her list, which she doubted very seriously that that would happen.

             
Tabitha was standing in the baggage claim area when Demi turned the corner. When she looked at Demi, Tabitha cried. The light in Demi was shining so brightly, everyone she passed stopped to get a closer look at her, because she was so radiant. The fuchsia leather Manolo Blahniks probably had something to do with it, and Tabitha complimented Demi on them as soon as they finished their embrace.

             
“You have a glow about you that I love, Dem. Is there something you want to share?”

             
“In due time my friend. We have a lot to talk about. But right now I’m starving. Can we go get something to eat?”

             
Tabitha smiled to herself. She had her friend back. The things that were to happen in her life would take Demi’s mind off her past once and for all. They went to the Mandrake for lunch. While there, Demi received a call from Sidney, telling her that Anya Bankston was dead. Demi seemed truly sorry to hear of the death, but Tabitha knew that she was responsible for Anya’s death. She watched Demi’s silent struggle with good and evil and listened to her tormenting thoughts, wanting to do or say something that would make it easier for her. It just was not her place at the moment. She knew she would be there when the time came, when she was needed most. For now, she kept her own thoughts to herself. It wasn’t wise to share her gift of mindreading, even though she knew Demi could be trusted. All things would be revealed in time. Although the light was now turned on in her life, Demi was still not someone to be messed with. The evil lurking around her was powerful, which could easily before total darkness at the blink of an eye.

             
Demi sat in deep thought while they waited for their food to arrive. The whole interpretation of dreams thing was new to her. Plus, all of her animosity toward Greg and Sidney for deceiving her was putting dangerous thoughts in her head. She wanted both of them to suffer, and soon. With Tabi’s help, they would be dealt with before sunset tomorrow. Even though she did not know the entire story of their betrayal, Demi wanted them to confess so that she could move on with her new life.

             
Lunch was delicious and filling. Demi missed her and Tabi’s lunch dates in New York. It had been too long since they’d spent time together without interruptions. They talked about what had happened lately, and business-related matters. Tabitha told her that she and Brian decided to give their relationship another try. Demi was pleased. She told Tabi about Makei’s visit and their conversation. She also shared her intimate secret about the dream she’d experienced. As they prepared to leave the Mandrake, a woman came up to Demi, admiring her shoes.

             
“Where did you get those lovely shoes, Darling? I just have to have them for myself.”

             
Demi looked at Tabi, who was staring hard at the other woman. Demi used to love, even crave the attention she received for her shoes, but now she didn’t. It was becoming really annoying, especially when people as strange as the woman in front of her invaded her personal space. She simply thanked the woman for the compliment, telling her they were an exclusive pair form an upcoming designer. The woman seemed disappointed, but accepted what Demi said.

             
“That was weird,” Tabitha said, still watching the woman walk out of the restaurant.

             
Demi agreed. The thought that she knew the woman passed through her mind, but quickly left. She would have remembered someone from her past if she was standing right in front of her. Still, her gut told her there was definitely something strange about that woman. When Tabitha dropped Demi off at the Plaza, they promised to see each other for dinner later that night. Greg was not back in town and instead of spending time alone, Demi wanted to be with someone who could keep her from going off the deep end. Her battle was not over yet, but she did feel better about her future.

             
Unpacking her clothing and hanging them neatly, Demi carefully placed her shoes on the shelf in the walk-in closet. The Plaza hotel was known for its massive closet space. Demi took out another pair of shoes by a designer who was one of Demi’s favorite. A few years ago she had fallen in love with several of the designer’s creations. The Elga from Nina shoes, with lustrous cascading pleats in chocolate brown satin and a slender ankle strap were truly a work of art. Any woman who wore them could enter any event at any time with sure confidence as the shoes highlighted her ultimate sensuality. The shoes only briefly distracted her from thoughts of Greg and Sidney. Were they together at that very moment? How long were they going to pretend with her? Demi cringed at the thought of having shared herself with Greg intimately, so soon, only to find out he was having the same relations with another woman, someone she trusted. Through all her years of knowing Sidney, Demi would have never thought of her as someone who would go behind her back and betray her.

             
Tears burned the back of Demi’s eyes, but she refused to allow them to kiss her face. Never again would she be subjected to such deception and pain. From now on, it was all about her. Those who did not think the same, she would definitely make sure they knew one way or the other. Picking up her cell phone, Demi dialed Sidney’s number. It rang several times before going to Sidney’s voicemail. She hung up and dialed Tabi’s number. “I need to talk with you. Do you mind having dinner in my suite? I’m not up for going out. There are so many things I need to share with you before I have a nervous breakdown.”

             
“I’ll be there around seven if that is okay.”

             
Demi was relieved. She still had at least one true friend left she could count on. Although Tabitha had betrayed her confidence with Brian, she understood why that happened. Brian was harmless. He loved Tabi so much; he would do anything to be with her. If never speaking of Demi’s past was what he had to do, then that was exactly what he would do, she was sure of it.

Chapter 28

             
TABITHA ARRIVED at the hotel right on schedule. As she took the elevator up to Demi’s room, she had the eerie feeling that someone was watching her. So when the elevator door opened up on Demi’s floor, Tabitha looked around to see if anyone was there. To her surprise, she spotted the woman from earlier at the restauran
t
. ‘Why is sh
e
in the same hotel as Demi?
’
Tabitha wondered. When Demi opened her room, Tabitha pushed her inside. She did not want whoever the woman was to know which room Demi was in.

             
“What are you doing?” Demi exclaimed angrily. “Have you lost your mind?”

             
Tabitha was caught off guard, but dismissed her friend’s behavior. “No! The woman from the restaurant is here. I think she knows you or something. I didn’t want her to see which room I entered. That’s why I pushed you. Now calm down, Demi, damn!”