Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2) (19 page)

Shit. Shit. Oh shit! Keeley paced staring at the checkpoint. What the hell was she thinking? R-U-N pulsed through her blood stream, each letter emphasized by a hard beat of the drum. Her heart demanded she turn back and face her past. Fight her demons. Her head told the story tried and true. Run away. Start over. Don’t look back. That song was what she knew and it did not matter if she broke her heart in the process. Wouldn’t be the first time. She stood there one foot ready to move her forward, the other poised to turn back. Sweat dripped down her brow mixing with tears. Could Tar forgive her for being an accomplice to murder? What about Lacey? Hell, then there was prison. Time she would most certainly do, Viv would see to that.

The demon leaned in closely and whispered, “You’ll be killed in jail. You must go. Now!”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, fighting the urge to cross the border in front of her. Viv had gone to great lengths to hide her identity, posing as Dr. Thompson. The answer as to why was clear: she needed to befriend Keeley. Jesus, how did she not notice before?

Again the demon murmured, “She needs you
dead
, Keeley. You’re the only link to tie her to the senator. Tar can go on if you leave, but if your dead, he’ll never find happiness again.”

The thought of Tar with another woman made her want to rip things to shreds. Lisa would take full advantage. Keeley felt it in her bones. Add that to the fact something else was niggling just behind the surface, telling her this wasn’t her first encounter with Viviane since leaving that house in Folsom. A war was raging inside her and she found her nails raking along her inner wrist. Control. She needed to find control of these thoughts, emotions.

A commotion drew her attention to the border between California and Mexico. There were police everywhere and two young women about her age in the back of police cars, crying. On the ground, in handcuffs was a business man. Keeley realized what she was witnessing as she read the lips of one officer. “Sex slaves.”

She met the eyes of one of those girls. Lost and alone were written in her features, but the shame etched between her brows was what made Keeley Kincaid stand up and square her shoulders. No way in hell was she letting another girl live through this horror if she had a way to stop it. Maybe she could only save one, but that one was worth more than all the gold on the planet. Fuck what happened to her. If Viv killed her, then she’d make damn sure she took the bitch with her. Keeley nodded toward the eyes locked on her. She mouthed, “I promise to do what I can.”

The girl leveled her gaze with Keeley’s. “Stay strong,” she mouthed in return.

Keeley turned away from the border and beelined for the car.

The demon seethed as he watched the angel walking right behind her. He wasn’t giving up on Keeley but knew he needed to go after her weaknesses from a different angle. Fine by him, he would prevail. She was his and she knew it, sooner that fucking light left her for good, the better. Love made him physically ill as he clutched his stomach. In his opinion that four letter word was the vilest of them all. And he would bring out every lie and trick of deceit to win this battle of Keeley Kincaid’s soul.

The laugh was terrifying enough to cause her to look over her shoulder, searching for the source. She faced forward and continued without looking back again. Keeley was going to tell Tar every gruesome detail of her role in Caleb Reynolds’ death. Fully aware this could be what took him from her forever. Yet she wasn’t going to let fear win. Time she stood her ground and damn the consequences.

*****

Lisa peeked around the corner making sure Tar was distracted. Cole had him engaged in a mad game of Go Fish. She smiled wondering for the umpteenth time what it would be like if Tar were the father of her son. Easy enough to remedy, she could easily get pregnant that night. She’d make sure not to give Tar too much diazepam that he couldn’t perform. And knowing him as well as she did, he wouldn’t just walk away from his baby. A wicked grin lit up her face. Yes, she would take this man from Keeley. No way Chase would deny a niece or nephew either. They could be one big happy family. She snuck the pills into her front pocket and went to the kitchen. Taking the prescription bottle out and putting it inside a drawer when she heard, “Can I help you with dinner?”

She jumped and slammed the drawer shut. “Crap! Tar, you scared me!”

“Sorry.” He quirked a brow. “What’s in there?”

“Um…not the cooking utensils I was looking for.”

He reached around her as her heart raced and opened the other drawer. “This what you need?” His voice was in a tunnel as her ears were filled with the heavy thump of her heartbeat.

“Yeah,” she breathed out heavily.

“You okay?” His head angled at her. He reached for her forehead and she dodged his hand.

“I don’t like people watching me cook,” she shot out the explanation.

Tar crossed his big arms over his chest. “Since when?”

“I’ve changed. Now go!” She pushed him out.

He relaxed and chuckled. “You’re a great cook, Lisa. I’m sure that hasn’t changed,” he said over his shoulder as he met Cole in the living room.

She leaned against the wall that was out of his sight. Holy shit! That was too close for comfort. “You okay with lasagna?”

“Absolutely,” came his happy reply.

She’d remembered it was his favorite dish and went to make a meal he’d never forget in more ways than one. By the time everything was ready, Cole had fallen asleep on the couch. Silently she thanked her little boy,
Good job, pumpkin
. “He’ll be fine right there while we eat,” she reassured Tar.

He sat down at the table and praised, “This looks incredible.”

She beamed. “Thank you.” Walking over to the counter that was at an angle where he couldn’t really see what she was doing, Lisa dropped the already crushed seven white pills into his wine glass. She made a show of tasting the wine before bringing him a glass.

“I can only have a little of this.” He raised his goblet to hers.

“I figured. But a good Chianti is necessary with Italian food.”

“Yes, ma’am, it is.”

She giggled. “You can take the man out of the military but you can’t take the military out of the man.”

“Some habits just can’t be broken.” He took a sip and then began to eat.

She watched him coyly as they made small talk and ate, knowing from experience with Cole the sedative wouldn’t take effect right away. Cole woke up and had some dinner too before turning in for the night. She’d just finished tucking him in and walked into the kitchen to see Tar washing dishes. There was a slight tinge of regret as he yawned loudly.

“I must be more tired than I realized,” he affirmed while putting away the last plate.

“Children have a way of doing that.” She smiled. “We can have dessert later. Go ahead and lie down.”

He placed the dish towel on the hook. “I’m not gonna argue,” he said around another big yawn.

Lisa waited another ten minutes before slipping into Tar’s bedroom. Like she planned, he was out cold on the bed, naked. She eased down between his legs softly stroking the inside of his thigh, thankful the habit of sleeping nude had never changed. His moan was deep and she could tell he was dreaming by the crease between his eyebrows. “Prefect,” her hot breath skated along his erection.

Tar was lost to the erotic dream of Keeley teasing his cock before she took him into the hot wetness of her mouth. “Hmmm,” he purred at her perfection.

Keeley slid between the bushes around the window hoping she found her way to Tar. She had no desire to sneak in through Lisa’s window, or worse, scare the living daylights out of Cole. The room had a dim light on and as she leaned forward, what she saw brought tears to her eyes. Tar’s hand was holding Lisa’s head as he thrust into her mouth. How could he betray her like that? Him of all people, knowing how furious he’d been with her when Braxton had forced her to orgasm. Hell, he’d left her over that. And now there he was letting his ex suck him off. She was about to burst in and let him know just how pissed off she was when shock froze her in place.

Tar pulled on Lisa’s hair and brought her upright. His eyes closed as deep concentration lined his face. Lisa placed her hands on his impeccable chest and positioned his shiny cock, thanks to her salvia, to her more than ready opening.

He was lost to Keeley in the dream, yet something felt off somehow. Was it the fact her hands weren’t placed where they normally were? Or that she wasn’t kissing him with her wicked skills? The other thing that wasn’t right, Keeley didn’t demand he play rough. Sure they had moments of tender lovemaking but still… Something else just did not feel
right,
like a drug was wearing off. The tip of his cock was gliding into her hot silk when Keeley’s scream brought him to full alert and shook the last effects of the drug completely from his system.

Keeley turned to leave but slipped and fell, hard, breaking her arm instantly. “FUCK!” she howled.

What Tar saw sent him into DEAFCON 5. Lisa was trying to impale herself with his now softening dick. He yanked her off of him so fast her nails dug deep into his abs, drawing blood as she clawed at him. “Mother fuck!” he growled. But it was whose gaze his latched to on the other side of the window that sent pure terror shooting through his muscles. “KEELEY!” he roared.

Lisa glanced over and saw a tiny figure trying to get free of the hedges and screamed.

Tar lunged ignoring the blood dripping.

Cole came running in, fear all over his little face.

Tar didn’t stop as he grabbed a pair of sweats. trying to put them on and tripping on his way to the front door. He heard Lisa in the other room.

“Tar. Stop!”

Stupid bitch. He should’ve known. All the fucking signs were there. Mitch even warned him. But what tore at him was his nephew’s expression. He turned to the child shaking in the doorway. “It’s okay, Buddy. I’ll be back in a little while.”

Cole stared at Tar’s stomach. “Is there a cat?”

Tar realized the scratch marks were at Cole’s eye level. “I fell, Partner. I’ll be alright.” Lisa moved past her son and Tar shot her a warning glance. “Don’t,” he growled as he opened the door and left.

He raced around the side of the house but Keeley was no longer there. All he saw was the ripped T-shirt hanging on the bush. Tar grabbed his cell phone as he searched frantically for her. “E, we have a situation.”

“On my way.” E hung up and glanced over at Lacey. “I know better than to tell you to stay put. Get dressed.”

“What’s going on?” Concern etched around her eyes and mouth.

“Not sure, but that was Tar. Odds are Keeley is involved.”

“Shit,” she breathed.

E grabbed her shoulders. “Whatever she’s done, Sweetness, we
will
be there for her.”

She stroked her husband’s jaw. “Call Nik and Alex. She’ll need all the love we can give.”

Her arm was throbbing and somehow she managed to get herself lost. Keeley knew not to go back to the house she’d been staying at. Tar would look there first. She couldn’t go to her mom’s, again, he’d look for her there. With no clue as to Lacey and Even’s whereabouts, she roamed the streets aimlessly. A nice couple gave her a ride from Orange County. They wanted her to go to an ER but she convinced them it wasn’t bone protruding from her arm, just a busted bracelet she couldn’t part with. In the dark her lie was believable. Their age didn’t work against her either. She tied a piece of her T-shirt around her forearm to hold the bone in place. Pain radiated all the way up into her shoulder, and the fact she relished its inviting bite pissed her off more. Exhaustion was taking its toll and she was finding it difficult to walk.

Keeley tripped up the fire escape thinking more than once how convenient it’d be to fall from it. At least
then
it wouldn’t be suicide. She took a deep breath fighting back the sobs. How could Tar do such a thing? Was it all a lie? The claims of being in love, forgiving her, wanting to marry her? God, had she been duped the entire time? She stumbled again after reaching the top and grabbed the rail tight. Her arm protested with a vengeance. A wobble and
creak
told her what she held onto wasn’t stable
.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake just let me die already,” she roared
into the night
.
The bar gave way under her hand and sent her flying forward on all fours
.
She laughed maniacally. “You have some sick sense of humor,” she grunted while looking up into the sky. Her arm gave out under the weight and pressure breaking it in another place. Fucking fantastic. She huffed and puffed through the agony, hating herself more and more every second that she enjoyed it.

The bottle of whiskey sitting along the roof’s edge called to her. “Make it all go away, Keeley. Come. Drink.”

She had no fight left in her. And she simply wanted all the shit she felt to just leave her alone. Life was simpler when she was strung out. Hell, it was even easier when Caleb was doing all those sick things to her. She knew where she stood in those scenarios. This fucked up heartbreaking crap made her feel lost at sea. No anchor. No way to find land. Adrift in a vast ocean of emotions she didn’t want. Keeley began to tear at her body. She wanted to take away every memory of Tar’s touch on her skin. The dirty feeling went all the way to her bones. Shame and guilt came to play until there was a party of demons dancing around her.

“Stupid girl,” they hissed, “no one could ever love a whore like you. Unworthy. Men only want you for your cunt. Nothing more.”

Keeley fell into a heap and curled into herself, holding her hands over her ears.

Long nails caressed her cheek. “There, there,” the demon drawled, “drink from the bottle and let me take it all away.”

Her hand reached above and snatched the whiskey. They were right, she’d been such a fool to think any man could ever love her for her. Tears slid down to her mouth mixing with the fiery liquid as she tipped her head back and drank and drank.

*****

Tar’s gut told him Keeley was close by. He searched each abandoned warehouse certain she was in one of them. The area was familiar to both of them. Shelby and Keeley had been residents of one in particular. He’d gone there first, coming up empty handed. But he wasn’t giving up. She was his everything. God damn Lisa and her sick little game, which was costing him dearly. She better hope and pray Keeley didn’t go off the deep end. He wouldn’t be responsible for what happened to her if the woman he loved was harmed in any way. Well, more than she already was. He was haunted by that look in Keeley’s eyes. Betrayal. It screamed at him through the pane of glass, “You deceived me!”

For the hundredth time he prayed for her safety, continuing to search in vain. His head was killing him thanks to the aftereffects of the drug he’d been given. Tar’s body metabolized quickly and nothing ever stayed in his system for too long. But damn, he suffered from nasty headaches afterwards. He just wanted to sleep it off. His body demanded he slowed down and rested. Yeah, fuck that! Shirtless wasn’t helping his burning scratches along his stomach as he glanced down noticing fresh blood. Hell, he must’ve opened it back up somewhere along the way. Not good. He’d been in some filth holes recently and infection probably was setting in. That could explain why he felt like shit. More than his emotions all over the damn place, he was physically drained. But he couldn’t stop. Keeley had to be found. He needed to explain to her what happened before it was too late. She’d run. Or worse…No, stopping wasn’t an option. He leaned heavily against the wall trying to catch his breath when a bottle came crashing down from above. His eyes were drawn to the roof where someone was dancing on the edge. Holy fuck! How drunk did a person have to be to do that? Tar pushed off the wall, knowing he couldn’t just walk away and let some stupid ass fall to their death because they enjoyed a little too much alcohol.

*****

E glanced over at Lacey worried sick about her. His instincts told him he shouldn’t have let her come. But his heart and mind learned their lesson. “We’ll find her, Sweetness. You have to have faith.”

Her sad smile spoke volumes. “I’m trying. But if she does something stupid after being clean for so long, her odds of survival are low.”

They were, yet E couldn’t bring himself to confirm or deny what his wife just said. Instead he pulled her close and kissed her forehead. “My gut says she’s somewhere in this area.”

Lacey took in the row of warehouses. “Shelby should be the one helping us.”

A soft, “you rang,” came from behind her.

She turned toward her and gasped, “Oh my God! How did you two find us?”

Mitch held out his cell phone. “Technology comes in handy.”

E gave her a half-smile. “Did you really think I wouldn’t call in the cavalry? She’s my sister, too.”

Lacey hugged him hard and whispered, “You’re the best.”

He tipped her chin and placed a light kiss on her lips. “You can show me your gratitude later.”

Shelby hobbled toward a fire escape peering closely. “Someone used this recently.”

Mitch shook his head with a grin on his face at Even Strand and went over to investigate. A heavy groan of the metal above told them someone was still on it, and it was protesting. Nik leaned over the edge. “Fucker better not give out on me!”

Alex was already off the weak ladder standing on the floor just below the roof. “If you didn’t weigh as much as a gorilla it may be able to hold you.”

E barked out, “Get the hell off that thing before we’re putting your Humpty Dumpty ass back together.”

“Shit,” Alex called out, “Aimee would never forgive us. Get off that rickety thing.”

Another loud
crack
pinged off the walls and then a series of loud
bangs
and
booms
. The fire escape lay in a heap barely missing those standing below it. Nik jumped and was hanging from a window when E exclaimed, “Mother fuck!” and took off at dead run.

Shelby and Lacey stood in awe as E managed to pull his brother to safety. A chill went up Lacey’s spine as the memory of E rescuing her not so long ago resurfaced. Shelby turned to her, “Have you seen anyone about your recent trauma?”

Lacey stared at her. “Damn your good. And no, I haven’t had time.”

“Make it,” she affirmed while patting Lacey’s shoulder.

Mitch was up on the roof, staring west of where they were. From the distance Shelby was at she couldn’t tell what the look on his face meant, but she felt horror in her gut. His finger came up pointing as he yelled. “Over there!”

Both women screamed and Nik, E, and Alex moved as a unit.

They all raced frantically to the other warehouse where two people were dangerously close to the edge. From that height they wouldn’t survive if they fell.

*****

Keeley couldn’t care less that she was one baby step away from her death. She was the life of the party in her mind, transported back in time to when she didn’t give a fuck about anything but feeling good. Her demons surrounded her and kept the images flashing until one slipped up and appeared as David. The visions now were of terror as he raped her repeatedly and had his friends join in. She stood on the ledge attempting to focus and erase the face in front of her. But then another demon provided an even more terrifying memory, Caleb and his diabolical ways of torture. Not hers, the nameless girls he murdered and made her watch while chained to the cement wall. The things he did to them were unspeakable. She thought she’d lost those thanks to the trauma involved, yet there they were in vivid colors and sounds, like she was right there once again.

The demon took on Caleb’s form and hissed in her ear. “You like what I do to you. You crave what only I can give. Come, my dear. Be with me forever.” He nudged her to the side.

Keeley’s brain was misfiring. She could’ve sworn Caleb was trying to kill her. Her scream was deafening as she fought to live. A shocking revelation, she didn’t want to die. And that was what Tar was trying to do, save her as he lunged forward and came up against a force. Ice cold and pure evil. It surrounded her and he couldn’t seem to break through it. “Fight, Keeley.
You
have to fight. I can’t do it for you.” He watched in horror as she wrestled around on the ledge. A fall from that height would kill her.

She was trying to break free of the demon’s hold as he pushed her backwards. Keeley pleaded, “No, Caleb. Please. I don’t want to die.”

Tar once more reached for her. “Beautiful, it’s me, Tarius. Caleb is dead. He can’t hurt you anymore.” God, what was she battling in that gorgeous head of hers.

Her gaze leveled on his. “Tar?” she squeaked out.

“Yes, baby. I’m right here. Grab my hand.”

She angled her head awkwardly. “You don’t love me.”

“What? No. No. No. That’s not true. I
do
love you. With all I am, I love you.”

She shook her head with an attempt to erase what she saw in that house, Lisa and Tar fucking. But other things were becoming clearer, like the odd look on his face. She’d seen that before. Where?

The demon was losing her and grabbed her shoulders. “You belong to me,” he growled just as her foot slipped.

Everything from what Keeley saw through that window played out in slow motion, and what stood out in stark contrast was Tar’s expressions. She was familiar with them. They were the same ones he had the night she drugged him in Italy and tied him to a bed. Oh my God! Lisa set him up! “TAR!” she screamed and reached for him.

*****

E and Nik were racing toward the rooftop of the warehouse. Lacey froze when she recognized her sister’s voice. A trembled, “that’s Keeley,” was pushed out as Alex held onto her hand.

“Lacey, grab hold,” Mitch commanded.

She clutched the edge of something plastic feeling and realized it was covered in spiders. Lacey dropped it quickly. Alex paid no attention to her freak out and once more put the old tarp, Shelby yanked from a dumpster, back in her hand. “Get over it, Lacey. Keeley needs you. Now!” he growled.

Shelby looked up and then back at Alex. “It won’t work. There’s no use. Looooook!” she cried out, pointing upwards.

Alex and Mitch both followed her gaze. What Alex saw made his blood run thick and cold. “My God!”

*****

Tar had a hold of Keeley’s broken arm as she dangled from the ledge. She was wriggling and screaming, “Please don’t let me fall,” over and over.

“Look at me, Keeley. I’ve. Got. You.” Or so he thought, until her bone gave way and he slid further over the edge trying to grasp another part of her. He was losing her, fighting to pull her up with his strength alone. But he was weak from infection and his wound was ripped open over the jagged concrete of the edge. “Reach up with your other hand, baby.”

Keeley tried to do what Tar asked but it was as if someone held her good hand back and away, which was why she was squirming so much. She had to break Caleb’s hold on her. “Let go!” she yelled.

“Never! I love you! I want to grow old with you!” Tar growled out wondering how she could possibly give up now.

She felt her broken arm give way and knew this was it. Her end had finally come when her beginning was waiting for her. A calm passed over her as she locked her gaze on the only man she’d ever truly loved. “I love you more.”

“KEE-LE-Y-Y!” Tar roared as he lost his grip. In the back of his mind he realized he was about to go over, too ,and he didn’t fight it. If he couldn’t have her in this world, then they’d be together in eternity.

E reached forward and caught Tar’s leg. “I’ve got you!” he announced, grunting and pulling with all his strength.

But Tar could only see Keeley as she fell closer and closer to the hard unforgiving pavement below. He made a mental note,
she’s not screaming,
as if she’d made peace with leaving him. Forever.