“That would be a tempting offer… if you were female.” Lindsay was sure if Kyle’s jaw could hit the floor, it would have. Happy she had the upper hand once again, she walked to her bedroom laughing.
Once she was by herself, Lindsay took a deep breath. She could mask her fears with jokes and sarcasm for a little while, but she was still shook up from this morning, not to mention the surprise of seeing Kyle, and just wanted to get this move over with.
“That may be the first time I’ve seen Kyle speechless.”
“I guess miracles do still happen then.” Stella had followed her to the bedroom. “Do you think he actually believed me?”
“He probably started planning a threesome in his head as soon as you said that.” They shared another laugh before heading back to the living room carrying boxes. The front door was propped open and Alex and Kyle had disappeared, along with a couple items from the living room.
“The men must have got tired of waiting for us and got to work.” They sat their boxes down by the others and went to get more. When all the boxes were in the living room, Lindsay went back to check the closets to make sure they hadn’t missed anything.
The closets were empty, and the only thing left in the bedroom was her bed and dresser. Lindsay didn’t have much in her tiny one bedroom apartment; it made it easier to move quickly if she ever needed to again.
“Can we move the furniture from in here now?” Lindsay nearly jumped out of her skin from Kyle’s deep voice.
“You scared the shit out of me.” When her heart started beating at a somewhat normal pace again, she turned. “Sorry. Yes, that’s fine. And Kyle, I apologize for what I said earlier. It was rude. Thank you for helping today.”
Just because Kyle was someone she couldn’t get involved with, didn’t make it right to put him down for being who he was. He had given up his time to help and she had been kind of a bitch.
“It’s alright. You didn’t offend me. It’s no secret I like women. You should know that feeling.”
Lindsay chuckled. “Oh, yes. What’s not to like?”
“It is cruel to lie to a man about such things as lesbianism.” Kyle was propped up against the door frame and his arms were crossed over his chest.
“Lesbianism huh, who said I was lying?” So much for no more flirty banter; she really should listen to herself more.
Kyle pushed away from the door way and took a few steps toward her, but didn’t get too close. There was a spark in his eyes that should have scared Lindsay, but it didn’t, it intrigued her. When he spoke, it was in a low husky tone. “The blush that stains your cheeks every time I flirt with you tells me you’re lying.”
“Uh…” Lindsay was speechless. Kyle caught her completely off guard. He knew how he affected her, but had never said anything before now.
“Just so you know.” Kyle’s serious tone snapped her out of her own thoughts. “I’m not as shallow as you may think. You just don’t know me that well yet. I hope that changes.”
Kyle didn’t even give Lindsay a chance to respond to that blunt statement as he yelled for Alex to come help him with the bed.
His words exploded inside Lindsay’s head and Stella’s earlier comments came back just then as well. He did seem to act differently around her than he did other women. Most of his bravado faded away and he seemed genuine and sweet.
No! No amount of sweetness could change his profession or the fact that she would never be with someone again; most of all someone like Kyle.
Alex came in and they started removing her mattress and box spring from the room. Her dresser was all that remained and she realized her gun was still in her top dresser drawer; where anyone could see it if the drawer slid open.
Lindsay went in search of her purse. It wasn’t the safest place for a gun, but it would have to do for now. Luckily, Stella and the boys were down stairs putting the bed in the truck. She found her purse in the living room and quickly ran back to the bedroom.
Opening her top dresser drawer, Lindsay moved the heavy piece of metal into her purse. Making sure the safety was on; no sense in taking chances and it accidently goes off.
“I can’t promise I won’t sneak a peek through your underwear drawer.” Kyle was standing in the doorway again. She slung her purse over her shoulder and pretended to adjust the drawer as she closed it.
“That drawer gives me some trouble. I just wanted to make sure it was secure. I’ll get out of the way so you two can get it.” Kyle stepped to the side so she could squeeze past him and Lindsay tried to ignore how good he smelled; or how much she wanted to brush up against him on her way out of the room.
Securing her purse strap in her hand, Lindsay held tight until she reached her car. She found her keys, and after putting them in her pocket, Lindsay placed her purse in the trunk. When everyone left later she would put the gun back in its proper place.
With that taken care of, Lindsay got back to helping Stella, Alex and Kyle load the truck.
****
“Who did you get to cover your shift?” Kyle had been staring out the window, thinking about a feisty redhead that was seriously messing with his head, when Alex’s question broke him out of his thoughts.
“Mills needed Monday night off, so he was more than happy to switch.” Kyle wasn’t too thrilled about working a Monday night, but getting to spend time around Lindsay made it worth it.
Over the last few months, he had started to reevaluate his life. Sleeping with a different woman all the time didn’t hold the same appeal it once had, and he found himself longing for the kind of relationship Alex had with Stella. And he wanted it with Lindsay.
Of course, Lindsay wanted nothing to do with him and he really couldn’t blame her. His past behavior wasn’t exactly something you want a potential partner to see. But even if Kyle convinced her he was a changed man, he still had one huge obstacle to overcome.
Since the first time he met Lindsay, whenever they were in the same room, it seemed she couldn’t get away from him fast enough. And God forbid if he touched her in any way; she jumped like a cat being put in water.
Kyle had a sickening feeling that Lindsay had been physically hurt by someone, and judging by some of the reactions he’d seen her have, he was pretty sure it was a man. He had been on enough domestic violence calls in his time on the fire department to know a few of the warning signs.
But even if that was so, that didn’t explain why she was skittish around him more than anyone else. She seemed completely at ease with Alex, even Frank from the studio, but not him. It made no sense.
“You have feelings for Lindsay, don’t you?”
Kyle could joke his way around the question like he normally did with something he didn’t want to talk about, but he needed Alex’s help. Kyle leaned back in the seat more and sighed. “That obvious huh”
Alex laughed. “Oh yeah, I’ve never seen you act the way you do around her. And I can’t imagine you working a Monday night for just anyone.”
“A lot of good it did me to switch. You heard the same conversation I did this morning, right? Lindsay has no interest in me what so ever.”
“What I heard this morning was she doesn’t want man-whore Kyle. If you would stop sleeping with every bimbo that throws herself at you, you might have a chance with a woman like Lindsay.”
“I’m trying. I haven’t been with anyone since before your engagement party a month ago. I realized that night that I wanted what you and Stella have. I really like Lindsay and want to ask her out, but she already has her mind made up about me.”
Kyle thought about those light blue eyes, milky white skin and long red hair and no other woman compared. There was a long silence and it was then Kyle realized they had arrived at Spring Towers. He looked over at Alex who was just staring at him with his mouth hanging open.
“What?” Kyle was starting to feel like a freaky act in the circus.
“Did you just tell me you haven’t had sex in over a month?”
“Yes. Stop act
ing like I told you I saw Bigfoot.”
“Sorry, the shock hasn’t worn off yet. I think it may be more unbelievable than Bigfoot.”
“You really can be an ass when you want to be.”
“I know. I’m just busting your balls. If you really want this, you know I’ll help however I can.” Kyle exhaled and felt a little better. If anyone could show him how to go from screw up to boyfriend, it was Alex.
“Thanks man. Please don’t tell Stella. I don’t want Lindsay to find out through some chick grapevine. I’d rather talk to her myself.”
“I won’t, but Kyle.” Alex paused and looked like he was thinking of something unpleasant. “I’ve always got the feeling Lindsay has a dark past. The way she used to be so jumpy and still is sometimes. She might not want or be available for a relationship.”
“I’ve thought the same thing. Has Stella ever brought it up?”
“She thinks the same, but told me that Lindsay’s never mentioned anything about her past. Even after almost three years, all Stella knows is what came up on her background check; which was practically nothing. It’s like she appeared out of thin air.”
Kyle was now almost certain Lindsay was running from something or someone in her past. He just hoped whatever it was wasn’t bad enough to ruin any shot he may have with her.
Alex had parked the truck, but they hadn’t got out and Lindsay and Stella were tapping their feet impatiently on the sidewalk.
“Well it looks like the girls are waiting for us. Like I said, let this be between us. Stella’s inquisition does not sound very appealing right now.”
“Not a problem, but you do know she is going to be all over you if you mess this up in anyway.” With a groan, Kyle got out of the truck. They went around to open the back door of the moving truck.
“It’s about time. What were you two talking about?” Stella had come over to snuggle into Alex’s side and Lindsay and Kyle stood awkwardly watching the happy couple.
“I asked Kyle to be my best man at the wedding and we were discussing bachelor party ideas.” Kyle didn’t think anything could get his mind off his problems with Lindsay, but Alex completely took him by surprise.
Alex was an only child and didn’t have a lot of close family other than his parents. Kyle thought him being the best man was a possibility, but now it was official and Kyle felt honored.
“Like anyone else could throw a bachelor party like I do.” Both women rolled their eyes and climbed into the back of the truck.
They started unloading and as they were heading up the stairs for the first time, Kyle had to force himself to stop staring at Lindsay’s petite little waist and perfectly round ass. He lost his footing halfway up and heard Alex chuckle.
Once they reached the landing, Kyle turned and gave a murderous glare to Alex. “Shut up, it’s not funny.” Lindsay and Stella had already gone inside, but he still whispered so they wouldn’t overhear.
Alex didn’t try to hide his amusement. “Stop staring at Lindsay’s ass and that wouldn’t be a problem.” Kyle wanted to slug Alex, but the box in his hand was making that difficult.
“Just remember who will be giving a speech at your wedding. And that same person knows all your dirty little secrets, with photos to match.” Alex blanched.
“You wouldn’t.” Kyle stared at Alex, daring him to find out. Alex narrowed his eyes, but didn’t say anything more.
An hour later, all of Lindsay’s things were in her apartment and Kyle needed a beer or twelve. Somehow, he ended up behind Lindsay every time he went up the stairs and the tension in his body had nothing to do with lifting boxes or furniture.
****
Chapter 3
“Are you sure you don’t want to come to Maxwell’s with us? Victoria is going to be there and you know she is going to be upset if you aren’t there too.” Stella was giving her best pout, but Lindsay just shook her head.
“No, I’m going to start unpacking. I’m so tired I’ll probably just get my room set up and go to bed. Tell Victoria I’ll call her and we can all go out in a few days when I’m settled.” Lindsay would love to go out, but she needed to get started on installing all her reinforced window latches and add another lock to the door.
Luckily she was on the second floor with no trees outside her window, so the potential for anyone breaking in was diminished. She already felt ten times safer than at her last apartment.
“You guys go ahead and have fun. You deserve it. Here,” Lindsay went to her purse and carefully removed her wallet, “Take this and buy drinks; my thank you for helping.”
“We were happy to help, so put your money away.” Alex and Stella looked at her like she was nuts. She tried one more time, but they refused.
“Where did Kyle disappear to? Maybe he won’t be as stubborn as you two.” She hadn’t seen him in fifteen minutes or so and didn’t think he would leave without saying goodbye.
“He’s in our apartment. Someone from the firehouse called and needed to talk to him. He’ll be done shortly, but I can guarantee he won’t take the money either.” Lindsay rolled her eyes and put the money back in her purse.
“You’re all stubborn.”
“So are you, so we’re even.” Stella gave her a hug and headed for the door. “I’ll check in with you when we get back if you’re not asleep.”
The front door closed and Lindsay went in search of the box of safety items. Since she found the box in her bedroom, she decided to start laying everything out on her bed. She was installing the first window lock when her mind began to drift back to the reason all of these things were necessary.
****
“I’m sorry Mrs. Logan, but this is all we are able to charge him with at this time.” Lindsay felt like someone had stabbed her all over again. After spending a month in the hospital, she was finally strong enough to get to the district attorney’s office to go over her statement.
“So I spend a month in the hospital, almost die from what he did to me and you’re telling me aggravated assault is the best you can do? How about attempted murder and murder?” Lindsay still couldn’t believe her child was no longer living inside of her.
“We have no way of proving who introduced the knife into the equation. Mr. Rhodes insists that you grabbed the knife and tried to attack him. As for murder, fetuses aren’t considered living beings under the law until they are born.” Lindsay had heard enough. She still had pain when she moved, but stood up and placed her good hand on her hip.
“You’re going to believe him over me? It was his knife. I could understand if he was injured somehow there might be some speculation, but he didn’t have a scratch on him.” Justice really was blind; and deaf and dumb.
“I know it doesn’t seem fair, but it’s all I can do.”
“Is he at least in jail still?”
“Yes, for now. His bail was set at two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. If someone comes up with twenty five thousand dollars before his trial, he will be released. If his bail does get posted though, you will be notified before he gets out.” The hits just kept on coming.
“How long is he looking at once we go to trial?”
“The jail time ranges from two to twenty years. Being his first offense, the judge might take that into account.” This had to be some horrible practical joke. Where were the cameras?
“That’s ridiculous. So what am I supposed to do if he gets out?”
You have an order of protection right now, and if he breaks that, he will go right back to jail and he would no longer be eligible for bail.” They expected a piece of paper to protect her; fat chance.
“I’ll be sure to throw the order at him when he’s trying to kill me. I’m sure that will stop him.” Her words dripped with sarcasm. At least he was in jail for now, and she could figure out what to do.
“I don’t like it anymore that you do, but legally my hands are tied.” The attorney handed her some pamphlets on domestic violence support groups and a few forms she would need to fill out. “I
will be in contact with you if anything changes.”
Lindsay picked up the papers and slowly made her way to the door. Her heart was racing and it was making the throbbing in her arm worse. The bandage wrapped around her ribs and stomach seemed to be squeezing tighter now and she just wanted a pain pill and to pass out for a while.
Jessie was waiting in the lobby to drive her back home. “How did it go?”
“They are only charging him with aggravated assault. The bastard could get out of jail if someone post his bail and if convicted could get as little as two years in prison. Basically, he’s getting a slap on the wrist after what he did to me.”
Jessie eased an arm around Lindsay’s waist as they walked to the parking lot. “How the hell can that happen? That monster ruined your life and they are going easy on him.”
Lindsay didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She had held the tears at bay so far, but it wouldn’t take much to set them off. “So it seems. Mommy and daddy’s money must have some pull. I just want to go home and not think about it.”
Lindsay was staying with Jessie until she could get back to work and find a new place to live. There was no way she was going back to the house of horrors ever again.
They rode in silence on the long ride back to Jessie’s house. As they pulled into the driveway, Lindsay’s cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but realizing it could be the attorney, she answered. “Hello?”
“Did you really think you could get away from me?” Mitch’s deep menacing voice snarled over the phone. Lindsay sat frozen in her seat. How was he able to call her?
“I know your still there, I can hear you breathing. Don’t think this is over. I told you the only way you leave me is in a body bag. When I get out of here, you are mine.” The line went dead and Lindsay couldn’t breathe.
“Lindsay, who was it?” The phone had fallen to the floor board of the car and her whole body was trembling.
“M-Mitch. It’s not over, it will never be over.” Lindsay began sobbing uncontrollably. A million ideas ran through her mind, but only one made sense. She had to disappear.