Melody (THE LOGAN FAMILY) (27 page)

She didn’t know anything about his family. She didn’t know anything about where he’d come from. Nothing. All she knew was that he raped her. That he’d do all he could to keep Sarah. Sarah jumped like a puppet on strings when Keith paid her attention. He manipulated people like no other. He had manipulated Sarah to the point where she’d sided with him.

Melody rubbed her mouth. It took being raped by the bastard to catch on to his game. It wasn’t normal the way he paid so much attention to Sarah. It wasn’t normal the way he’d popped into her life and made all of her dreams come true. It certainly hadn’t been normal how he acted with Melody. Melody always knew she could see something in Keith no one else did. Even after all he’d done to her, this revelation frightened her the most.

Keith hadn’t raped Melody simply for sex. Sure, the asshole had obviously enjoyed violating her, knowing he’d hurt her in a way that would scar her forever. But that hadn’t been his main reason. All this time, all the shit he did had been for Sarah. Melody knew it went way beyond admiration on Keith’s behalf. He always said he’d let no one take Sarah away from him.

Didn’t that borderline on obsession? Keith went through life controlling everyone around him. When he couldn’t control them, he became violent. He’d done it with Melody last night. So, why wouldn’t he do the same thing to Sarah, too?

Melody paced. Sarah would be in more danger than Melody ever could. Sarah didn’t know how sick Keith could be. She didn’t know how far he’d go. Melody sighed. She’d spent all this time trying to convince Sarah to leave Keith without realizing how dangerous that would be. Her antics only pushed Sarah further into the devil’s arms.

Something told her the rape had only been a sample of what he could do. Who knew where it ended if he didn’t get what he wanted? He wanted
Sarah
. Keith being dangerous was hard enough. But worse than that, he believed he could do anything he wanted and get away with it. Melody saw firsthand how he acted when people refused him. She’d lived through a terror she’d never face because of it.

Yet something told her Sarah would pay a bigger price. Melody rubbed her quivering thighs. Every time she shut her eyes, she ended up back on that couch being raped. She couldn’t stop thinking about Keith tearing inside of her. Ignoring her screams. Inflicting more physical and emotional pain than anyone could deal with. She got back into bed. She wasn’t going to work. She nearly died
thinking
of Keith. She damn well couldn’t be in the same building with him!

She didn’t know what to do at this point. She only knew that Sarah would end up in terrible danger if Keith stayed around.

Okay, this was it. Brianna stood from her desk. The other detectives stopped in mid-sentence to eye the spectacle. Brianna had been raised to be a lady. It wasn’t too easy with men like Agent Parsons. He stood beside her desk with a cigarette cocked from the side of his mouth. Ooh, that smug smile. She didn’t know how Steven controlled himself from punching Parsons.

She nearly had to be held back from killing him. He could say what he damned well pleased in private, but Brianna wasn’t going to take him disrespecting her or Steven in front of their peers.

“You know, I’ve had just about enough of you, Parsons.” She threw her pencil on her desk. Cunningham gaped. “You don’t give a damn about helping those women. You just want to lock up Steven so you can add another notch to your file. Steven Kemp is not a rapist! How many times do I have to say it? I’d go to prison for him if I had to prove he’s innocent myself!”

“That’s right!” a detective yelled. “Steve’s not a rapist!”

“Yeah, asshole!” Another detective waved. “Steve’s one of the best damn cops in this place!”

“So I see, cops really do stick together.” Parsons grinned.

“Yeah.” Cunningham stood. “Maybe
you
should try it.”

Parsons grinned. “Before tearing into me, Detective, you should have asked why I came.”

Brianna scoffed. “I know why. You came to cause trouble for Steven. We’ve all had enough of you, Parsons! You don’t give a shit about finding out the truth.”

He sighed. “Well, that’s not the most important issue this moment, is it?”

Brianna glared. “What are you talking about?”

“Let’s see how much you stand up for Steven Kemp once you hear this. There was another rape around three a.m. this morning. A young black schoolteacher named Candace Bridges was raped in her home.” Brianna’s anger slithered into shock. “Oh, that’s right, Detective. I wouldn’t sprout off so easily next time before I heard the facts.”

“Well…” She cleared her throat. “It doesn’t mean anything. What does that have to do with Steven?”

“You know exactly what. You think it’s just a coincidence that this happened? Steven is the Albany Predator!” He looked around the room. “When are you all gonna stop protecting him and realize the truth? Just because you’ve known him doesn’t mean a damn thing! He’s out there raping women! If you all called yourselves true cops, you’d help bring him into justice!”

“That’s not true!” Brianna looked at her fellow officers. The detectives sat dumbfounded. She could see the doubt filling the heads of the men and women Steven had known for years. This wasn’t a good thing. What worried her most had been the doubt she felt in hers. Steven left her home in the middle of the night. Why would he have done that? She thought she had an answer before Parsons dropped this bomb.

“Still sticking up for Kemp, Morris?”

“It doesn’t mean a thing, Parsons.”

“Well, look at the damn picture, would you? Stop playing me, Morris! You see the connection here! While Steven was in jail, there were no rapes!”

“You don’t know that!”

He shook his head. “Well, we haven’t had any that seemed to be connected to the Predator, have we?” Brianna turned away. “So explain to me how there’s another rape the minute Kemp escapes from jail!”

“I…”

“You can’t, can you? And here’s another thing that you might want to know, Morris. Candace Bridges lives about two blocks from Steven Kemp.” She stared at him.

“Oh yes, it’s true.”

“I don’t care what you say, Parsons. Steven didn’t rape anyone.” She sighed.

“Oh.” He grinned. “You don’t seem so sure now, Morris. Okay, how do you know he didn’t rape Ms. Bridges? Do you know where he was at three in the morning? You know where he ran off to when he escaped?”

“I told you I had nothing to do with that.” She sat down. He leaned over her. The detectives watched in silence.

“Why don’t you just realize that Steven Kemp is not the man you thought he was, Brianna. This man is a sadistic rapist. He doesn’t give a damn who he hurts. If he was so innocent, why didn’t he want to take that DNA test?” She rubbed her forehead. “How come Cheyenne and Aileen can identify him to a T? How come he escaped from jail? What kind of ‘innocent’ guy would do something like that?”

“You don’t know what you’re saying, Parsons. I…I know Steven.”

“Yeah? What about when the Predator attacked
you
? How in the hell did he know that you and Steven used to be lovers? Was it ever in the newspapers? I don’t think so.” Parsons squinted. “You know damn well how he knows. He knows because he’s Steven! And what about how Steven fits all the sketches? Lookalike, my ass! He’s the rapist! When are you gonna see that, Brianna?”

Her hands shook.

“You okay, Morris?” Cunningham stared at her. She didn’t answer.

Parsons stood erect. “She’s fine. She’s just finally absorbing the truth. I’m sorry, Morris. I know you really care about him. But you have a duty to protect these women. You gonna help us find Kemp or not?”

“I don’t know where he is,” she whispered. She stared ahead as if she were in a trance.

“Okay, fine.” Parsons straightened his jacket. “But I have a feeling this will end up affecting your life more than anyone else’s. I’m just doing my job, Detective. Maybe it’s time you do yours.” He left.

“Stop,” Melody whispered to herself. She stood by her bed. She abandoned unpacking when the rape forced its way into her head for the millionth time today. Craig had been very attentive. He happily brought her things over for her. He, of course, asked if he could do anything to help. Melody could only ask him to leave. Even being close to Craig seemed unnatural right now.

She took her red blouse from the suitcase. She did her best to block out the horrible recollections of the rape. Once again, she couldn’t stop it.

Keith’s hungry dark eyes stared into hers. He plunged his middle against her thighs. She slapped her fists on his chest to keep him at bay. He became stronger the more she fought him. “Stop!” Melody screamed. Keith entered her despite protest. Melody cringed and moaned from merciless pain. “Stop!” He jabbed his crotch inside of her. Melody twisted and turned on a couch that felt as rough as a bed of nails.

“You’re mine, Melody. All mine tonight…” Keith smirked.

Someone grabbed her from behind! She felt herself being lifted off the floor.

“Oooh, I got you! I won’t let you go! You’re all mine now!” Someone kissed her cheeks. She struggled in his arms.

“Stop!” she bellowed. She grabbed the open suitcase. She whirled around before she had a chance to think. She smacked him. He twirled on the carpet. “Don’t you ever touch me again! Don’t you dare touch me again!” She held the suitcase high. She stopped when she saw the trembling hands. His eyes begged for mercy.

“Melody!” Lucas shielded his face from another attack.

“Oh God.” She lowered the suitcase. She rested on the bed. “Oh, Lucas!” she wailed.

“Melody.” He rushed to hold her. She thought she’d feel uncomfortable in his arms. She didn’t. She felt safe. She needed that right now. “Mel, what’s wrong?” He moved her hair from her face. “Huh? What’s going on?”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She cried into her hands. “I’m sorry!” She wrapped her hands around his neck. She forced him closer. “I’m so sorry, Lucas!”

He rubbed her back. “It’s okay, Melody. I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, but it’s okay. I’m not hurt. I shouldn’t have sneaked up on you like that, anyway, baby. I’m the one who’s sorry. What was I thinking? Did you know your front door was unlocked? You gotta be more careful.”

“Oh, Lucas.” She lay against his chest.

“I missed you at work today. I wanted to see what was going on. I started to call first but I thought surprising you would be better.” He chuckled. “Guess that idea stunk, huh? Well, this is certainly one time when you can’t accuse me of being perfect.” He smiled.

She touched his soft skin. She looked into his charming eyes. “Lucas, I love you so much. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You’re not gonna lose me, but I do want to know what’s going on. I know I scared you but you damn near killed me just now.” He chuckled. “And you’re shaking, Mel.” He touched her hands. “You’re breathing hard. I know something’s wrong. You can tell me anything.”

She wanted so much to tell him. Lucas made everything all right when no one else could. She just didn’t know how he’d react. He’d always understood things, yet this would change their entire relationship. Once he found out she’d been raped, he’d never look at her the same way again. He’d never smile at her the same way. He’d always be too cautious. Always treat her like a helpless victim. He’d want to protect her first thing.

Melody didn’t want his
protection
. She just wanted someone, anyone to make what happened go away. If Lucas could do that, then he’d have her heart for life.

“Mel, talk to me. We’re all alone now. When I said you could come to me with anything, I meant it.” He touched her face. “I mean it, baby.”

“Not with this.” She sniffed.

“Anything.” He nodded. “I love you, Melody. That’s not gonna change.”

“Lucas, it’s not easy at all.” She stood from the bed. “We were doing so well. We were getting so close. Now all of that’s gonna change. You won’t look at me the same. You’ll be guarded around me all the time. I don’t want that!”

“Melody, I don’t know what’s happened to you, but I promise it won’t change us.”

She looked at her fingers. “It’s gonna definitely change some things, Lucas. You will start to resent me, even if you don’t want to. It’s only natural!”

He grabbed her. “No, I won’t.” He stared into her eyes. “Melody, I love you like I never loved any woman. I always have. You’re always pushing me away and I want that to end tonight. I’ll be there for you. No matter what you say, baby, I’ll be there for you no matter what. I love you and I’ll do all I can to be with you.”

“You can’t mean that.”

“I do.” He touched her chin. He wiped her tears with his fingertip. “You can tell me anything, Melody. We’ll just get through it together. Nothing could be that bad, okay?” He guided her to sit beside him again. “Now tell me what’s going on with you.”

She exhaled. She looked at the dresser. She looked at the carpet. She looked at her Jennifer Lopez poster on the wall. Anything to ignore looking into his eyes. She finally gave in. “Lucas.” He nodded. “I was
raped
.”

Melody passed Lucas a bowl of ice cream twenty minutes later. They sat at the kitchen table. She couldn’t believe how easy it had been to explain things to him. She found it hard to even talk to Sarah about it. She wanted to go one step further and tell Lucas who had raped her. She wasn’t ready for that yet. She stared into his eyes. He didn’t smile. She didn’t expect him to. Anyone would be shocked right now. What guy expects his girlfriend to tell him something like this?