The Highest Bidder (11 page)

Veronica searched for a weapon, anything to use on Stephen, but before she could grab something Kristoff rolled until Stephen was now beneath him. His arm was a blur as he continued to bring his fist down on Stephen’s face. Her husband looked crazed, wild. His hair was a wild mess of short strands around his head, and a steady trail of blood dripped from a cut right above his eye. He looked possessed, like his sanity was no more and he was running on pure instinct.

“Kristoff. Stop, you’ll kill him.” Throat burning and voice sounding distant, she made herself stand and move on wobbly legs toward them. Stephen grew limp on the ground. Despite the fact Stephen no longer tried to defend himself had Veronica fearful that Kristoff would surely kill him. She was afraid to go any closer, but she had to stop him. “Kristoff.” Her voice grew louder and she laid her hand on his shoulder. The hard muscle beneath her hand was like steel. He stilled with his fist midair and turned to look at her. Chest rising and falling rapidly, Kristoff held his position for a suspended moment. For a suspended moment he looked at her, but not really. His eyes held a glazed look in them, but he blinked rapidly and his expression cleared of the murderous rage. Blood covered his bare chest and she knew some of it was his, but that the majority was Stephen’s.

“Veronica.” His voice cracked with emotion. “Oh, God, baby.” He was off Stephen and had her in a tight embrace instantly. He pulled her away and scanned her body with his eyes. “He hurt you.” Kristoff’s jaw locked tight and she leaned into him again, hoping to ease his distress. Yes, Stephen had, but she was okay now that Kristoff held her in his protective embrace. Everything would be okay, she had to believe that. Veronica looked at the still form of Stephen lying on the ground. His face was a bloody mess that was almost unrecognizable, but he was alive by the rise and fall of his chest. She buried her face in Kristoff’s bare chest, not caring that blood covered it or that violent emotions surrounded them.

“How did you know I was here?” Her voice was hoarse and she swallowed down the lump that was steadily rising. His hands smoothed up and down her back and his heart beat a rapid cadence against her ear. It seemed like it took him forever to answer her, and when he did his voice was strained with emotion.

“Stacia woke me. She was in the gardens with Marco and noticed the light in the observation room. When she realized Stephen and you were here, alone, she knew something wasn’t right and got me right away.” He buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply. “God, sweetheart, if I hadn’t come when I did…” his big body shook with emotion. He kissed the spot right below her ear,
his
spot. “I don’t want to even think about it. He would have k—” He didn’t finish his sentence, just held her tighter and murmured words against her throat.

The sound of sirens in the distance had her glancing out the windows. Several police cruisers rushed down the long driveway and disappeared toward the front of the house. It only took a matter of minutes before uniformed men were bursting into the room and surrounding them. Their guns were drawn and pointed at Stephen despite the fact at the moment he wasn’t a threat.Shouts ran out through the room but Kristoff didn’t relinquish his hold on her, thank God. Veronica didn’t want to deal with the chaos that surrounded her. All she wanted to do was curl up in their bed with Kristoff’s big, warm body surrounding her.

“Mr. and Mrs. St. Michaels?” The deep, gentle voice had them both turning and looking at the man standing before them. He wore a suit and the badge he held up showed he was Detective Ash Malone. “I know with everything that has transpired giving your statement is probably the last thing you want to do, but I think it would be best if you retold what happened while it’s still fresh in your minds.” He gave Veronica a coaxing smile. She didn’t really want to speak to anyone, but she knew it was best, especially if she wanted to move all of this along so she and Kristoff could be left alone in peace.

Detective Malone motioned for them to follow him out of the observation tower and into the hallway. Stacia and Marco were off to the side speaking with an officer, and when she lifted her eyes and caught Veronica’s, the smile she gave her was filled with anguish. Veronica smiled in return, hoping to reassure her that everything would be okay.

“Mr. and Mrs. St. Michaels, we have a physician arriving momentarily to assess you.” Kristoff wrapped his arm around her shoulder and brought her to the side of his body.

“I’m okay. I just want to make sure Veronica is okay.”

 
She felt okay aside from the burning in her throat, but she didn’t argue with them. The detective took out a small electronic device that would record not only her verbal statement but measure her vitals. She knew that it was to gauge an individual’s physical response and determine whether they were lying or not. Veronica recounted everything that had happened since the moment she woke up. Detective Malone nodded and asked a series of questions before concluding their time together. Another officer motioned for the detective and he left her and Kristoff alone. She turned into her husband and breathed in deeply.
What in the hell had just happened?

“Mrs. St. Michaels?” She turned and looked into the kind light blue eyes of the elderly man that walked up to her. He held an ancient leather physician’s bag in one hand and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with the other. “I’m Doctor Harrison. I’d like to have a look at you and make sure everything is okay.” She looked up at Kristoff and he brought his lips to her forehead.

“Mr. St. Michaels?” Detective Malone stepped up to Kristoff. “Can I have a word with you, alone?” He cut his eyes to Veronica and smiled, but it was tight and forced. Kristoff looked like he might have protested leaving her, but whatever he saw in Malone’s eyes had him straightening and turning to look down at her.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll only be a minute.” He kissed her on the forehead and disappeared into one of the rooms down the hall.

“Right this way, Ma’am.” She followed the doctor into a spare bedroom. For several long, uncomfortable minutes the doctor poked and prodded at her.. Despite his aged medical bag, the contents were all state of the art. He swept a handheld scanner across her body, stopping for several long moments on her throat, her chest, and finally on her belly. He made some notes on a small electronic keypad and offered her a gentle smile before turning his attention back to his notes.

“Mrs. St. Michaels, aside from your throat hurting, which I can tell by the scan it must, are you having any other symptoms?” He didn’t take his eyes off the keypad.

She felt horribly all around, but aside from the sore throat and the nausea that rolled around in her stomach, she was relatively fine. The doctor nodded and murmured to himself as she relayed the information.

“Well, your throat will be sore for a few days, but I’ll prescribe a solution you can gargle with that will help with the discomfort.” He packed up his bag and speared her with a knowing gaze. “There is also something else.” Her heart pounded at his tone. Was there more damage to her internally than she believed? Veronica felt okay, but she knew all too well how things could be deceiving.

“What’s wrong?”

He placed his hand atop hers. “Everything is fine, Mrs. St. Michaels, but make sure you see your family physician within the next few days to start monitoring your pregnancy.”

Pregnancy?

Everything around her faded away until all she could hear was the ringing in her ears.Had she heard him right? “I’m s-sorry. Did you say I was pregnant?”

He patted her hand in a comforting gesture. “Yes, dear. Still very early, but very much pregnant nonetheless.” He stood and grabbed his bag. “I’ll relay my findings to your husband.” His lips tilted warmly and then he was gone.

Veronica didn’t move from where she lay on the bed, her mind reeling with the news the doctor had just given. She was pregnant, with Kristoff’s baby. Her hand drifted to her flat belly and tears of excitement, trepidation, and happiness swam in her eyes. She was going to be a mother. All of this, coupled with the revelations of what Stephen said, mixed in her mind. The sound of the door opening and closing had her lifting her eyes. Kristoff stood several feet from her, his expression unreadable.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He spoke softly. The blood was gone from his chest and a small bandage covered the wound above his eyes. He walked toward her but when he was within reaching distance he did nothing for several minutes but stare down at her. Her mouth opened and closed but she didn’t know what to say. Was he upset over the pregnancy? They had only been married such a short time that Veronica could see why he might be hesitant. He saved her from starting the conversation by dropping to his knees in front of her and burying his face in her belly. For several seconds Veronica did nothing but stare at his blond head. His face hidden from her, she couldn’t tell what he felt. She ran her hands over his hair and felt her tears start to make the decent down her cheeks.

“Veronica...Sweetheart.” He lifted tortured eyes to hers and her breath stalled. He gathered her into his arms and held her as his big body shook. She felt wetness on her neck and knew he was crying. That knowledge had her holding onto him tighter and crying right along with him.

She had to clear her voice as emotion clogged her throat. “Are you angry I’m pregnant?” He pulled away, a frown marring the area between his eyes.

“Angry?” He gave a short laugh and shook his head. Wonder and amazement crossed his face. “Baby, that is the farthest thing from the truth.” He parted the folds of her robe and placed a hand on either side of her belly button. “My child grows right here.” He dipped his head and brushed his lips the small area that his big, tanned hands framed. The act was so gentle and loving that blurred heavy flood of tears blurred her vision. “I love you, Veronica.” She pulled him to her and pressed her mouth to his, relaying everything she felt, everything she couldn’t possibly say, in that kiss. They both started laughing, their enthusiasm animating the room.

He whispered, “We’re going to have a baby.” He kissed every inch of her face, his happiness. The moment was euphoric, but knew she had to tell him what Stephen had confessed.

It was hard pushing him away, but when she did his smile slipped.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

 
“I have to tell you what Stephen said right before you found me.” Kristoff took a steadying breath.

“I already know everything, sweetheart.” The anguish in his eyes when he finally looked at her again stole her breath.

“You do, but how?” Had he overheard what Stephen said? She supposed it was possible seeing as those last few moments she wasn’t aware of anything but the viselike grip around her throat.

Inhaling deeply, he took her hands in his and told her everything. “Detective Malone showed me Macie’s tattered and bloodstained shawl they found in Stephen’s room. They also found letters between him and Macie, affectionate ones that talked about her pregnancy and how much she loved him, how they were going to raise
their
child together.” Even though he only held her hands she could feel how tense he was. “She planned on leaving me.” His smile wavered, and Veronica could only imagine the anguish he must feel over the horrid revelations. “They also found photos that Stephen took of Macie and––”He took another deep, steadying breath. “They were of Macie and Andre in very intimate embraces.” He pulled away from her and paced the length of them room. “They were able to revive Stephen enough to question him on it and the evidence they found. He didn’t deny any of it, didn’t deny killing her, attempting to kill you, and what he planned to do to Andre.” He continued wearing a track in the carpet. “My punishment was the knowledge I wasn’t able to save Macie, and that I would watch him take your life.” Emotions rolled off him, his pain being the main one that speared right through her heart.

“You know what the fucked up part is?” He ran a hand across his hair, causing the short strands to stand up even more haphazardly. “I knew deep down she was unfaithful. I didn’t know it was with two men, though. I even knew the baby she carried wasn’t mine.” His admission shocked her. At her questioning look he continued. “We hadn’t been intimate for months. She had grown so distant and hateful toward me and I didn’t know why. I tried to please her, but nothing I did made her happy. We grew apart in those last few months before her death.” The anguish in his voice was as thick as the walls surrounding them. “When the autopsy was done and they told me she was six weeks pregnant, I knew without a doubt the child couldn’t have been mine.” He sank into a nearby chair and hung his head in defeat.

Veronica slipped from the bed and went to him. She didn’t know if he would welcome her touch, but her heart broke over his distress. “Kristoff—” Her words were cut off when he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to think of words that would soothe him. There hadn’t been much affection in her household growing up, so she wasn’t sure if she could comfort him the way he deserved. Figuring he would be more comforted by her touch instead of her words Veronica held onto him and absorbed his heartache.