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(Three Months after Captured Left Off)
“Winston!” Detective Connie Wilks exited the stairwell, catching Winston Lewis in the hallway of the police station. “I got big news.”
“Come up with a plan to get Dee away from Jonathan?” He popped strawberry gum into his mouth. “If not, then I don’t care what it is.”
“You’ll care about this.” Connie skidded in front of him, holding onto his arm. “Prisha Banerjee’s body was found this morning.”
The gum slid to the edge of Winston’s lip. “What?”
“Dumped in the ditch on West Chelsea Boulevard.” The brightness in Connie’s green eyes diminished. “It’s two surprises rolled up into one. First Prisha, who we assumed might have already been dead, has been in town and she’s murdered for real?” She shook her head, her silky blonde ponytail resting on her shoulder. “I can’t believe this.”
Winston leaned his head back, squinting.
“I know what you’re thinking. We have no proof Jonathan’s involved.”
“He’s the reason she disappeared.” He shrugged, chewing. “He’s kidnapped and drugged my girlfriend to get her into his cult. Is it so farfetched he’d kill someone?”
“I’m assigned to Prisha’s case, and I told Captain Salinger I wanted you to work with me on it. But not if you can’t keep your personal feelings intact.”
“Connie, he’s kidnapped the woman I love. How can I not have feelings about that?”
“I’m not saying forget Dee.” She held a sympathetic expression. “But, you need to realize there’s nothing you can do.”
“I’ll never stop fighting for Dee until she’s out that place.”
****
Broadville Port, Maryland
“What’s your deal, Shauna?” Jonathan Wild relaxed in the bright orange recliner in his lounge. “You a gluten for punishment or what?”
“I appreciate you seeing me.” She stood in the middle of the rug, looking delicious in her red pantsuit. “These last three months have been torture without you and The Circle.”
He nodded, eating golden raisins from a bowl.
“It’s like I don’t belong anywhere. If it wasn’t for the money, you gave me I wouldn’t have survived. Please.” She got on her knee. “Let me come back. I’ve prayed and I’ve gotten the evil thoughts out of my head. I was jealous of Deidra and it clouded my judgment.” She closed her slanted brown eyes. “Please forgive me. You’re all the family I have.”
“Deidra is a remarkable woman.” His gaze fell to her milky-white cleavage. “If you’d done to me what you did to her, I wouldn’t care what happened to you.”
She batted her sweeping lashes.
“But, Deidra is on such a higher plane that she not only forgives you, she’s the reason I’m listening to you today.”
She flicked her long, raven-black crinkles away from her round face. “What do you mean?”
“She even suggested I let you back in.” He laughed, mouth full of mushed raisins. “But I can’t do it even for her.”
“Jonathan.”
“You had your chance. You were mistress of this house and we could’ve had a wonderful life together.”
She stood. “I’d die for you and The Circle.”
“Do you understand you almost killed Deidra?”
“I do.” She nodded, sobbing. “But, you said once you’re a part of The Circle you’re always a part of it.”
He smoothed his hand over his jet-black buzz cut. “I lied.”
She inhaled, nodding. “I won’t give up. I belong here and if Dee can forgive me, then you can.” She pulled a piece of folded up paper from her pocket. “This is where I’m staying if you need me.”
He turned up his nose. “I won’t need you.”
She laid the paper on the table and left.
****
Dee Quarter bumped into a tearful Shauna outside the lounge.
“I’m sorry, Dee.” Shauna’s cheeks reddened. “My intentions weren’t to kill you, but I couldn’t bear losing my place in The Circle.”
“Yet, you did anyway.” Dee clasped her hands. “You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Shauna touched Dee’s white dress and snickered. “You’ve settled into The Circle well, haven’t you? Bet he’ll be making you Head Mistress soon.”
“You’ve lost what Jonathan taught you.” Dee looked her in the eyes. “Even after all you’ve done I don’t wish ill will on you. I want Jonathan to bring you back into The Circle.”
“Why?” She grimaced, top lip jumping. “So you can prance around and throw it in my face how much Jonathan cares about you?”
Dee shook her head, sighing. “You still don’t get it.”
“I love Jonathan.” Shauna’s bosom heaved. “More than any of you ever will. I’ll get back into The Circle. Trust me on that.” She turned and clacked down the hall in her shiny, black heels.
“Hm.” Jonathan hugged Dee from behind and turned her around. “You’re so beautiful.” He puckered his lips for a kiss but she moved. “What?”
“Give Shauna another chance.”
He gaped his silver-gray, deep-set eyes. “You can’t be serious.”
Dee touched her cheeks. “In The Circle, aren’t we supposed to love each other unconditionally?”
“Deidra, she tried to poison you, honey.”
“And if I can let it go, you can too.”
“We’d never be able to trust her.” He circled her. “She hates you and thinks you’re taking her place. If we let her in, she’ll be plotting the moment she gets through the door.”
“We’re supposed to forgive.” She studied his bewildered expression. “No matter what Shauna’s done, she’s as much a part of The Circle as anyone.”
He sighed, rolling his gorgeous eyes. “I’ll consider it.” He pulled her close. “If you consider something for me.”
She squirmed as he tightened his arms around her.
“You’ve been a member of The Circle for three months.” He stroked her natural hair, which hit her shoulders. “And yet, you haven’t fulfilled your end of the deal yet.”
“Jonathan—”
“Sh.” He put his finger on her lips. “You’ve given yourself to me mentally and spiritually but not physically.” He laid his warm hand to her cheek. “I’ve been patient. You have to be mine fully or this won’t work.”
“I’m just not comfortable having sex in front of the other women.”
“That’s part of the deal. When we first make love, we all partake in the moment. It’s like you’re giving yourself to every one of us.” He kissed her and smiled. “Besides, it isn’t fair to the other women. They had to do it.”
She fidgeted, avoiding eye contact.
“Is there another reason you don’t wanna make love?” His expression hardened. “Do you still have feelings for Winston Lewis?”
“No.” She stroked her hands.
“Your hands are shaking.” He grabbed them. “Is it because you’re lying?”
“No.” She hugged him. “I love you, Jonathan. I swear it.”
“Then prove it,” he demanded into her ear. “Your time is running out.”