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A Week Later
“Knock, knock.”
Winston looked up from the computer in his office at the police station, his eyes settling on the gorgeous brunette in the skintight, aqua-blue jumpsuit and white pumps.
“Hey.” Shauna sashayed inside, her curves swerving from left to right.
He groaned. “To what do I owe this surprise?”
She slinked to his desk and leaned over. “You wanna see Dee?”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Rena is having her thirty-first birthday this Friday. Jonathan goes all out for his parties so it’ll be something else.”
“What does this have to do with me?”
“Well.” Shauna rocked her head, watching him underneath her sweeping lashes. “He invited me and said I could bring a companion and I chose you.”
A grin eased onto Winston’s lips. “I’m not sure Jonathan would be too happy about that.”
“It was his idea.” She walked around the office, giving Winston a chance to check out her voluptuous ass. “He wants to throw he and Dee’s relationship in your face.”
“Sounds like Jonathan to a T. If that’s the case why should I give him the satisfaction?”
“Because you’ll see Dee and you want that more than anything.”
“I’m tired of going over there and banging my head into the wall and still coming home without Dee.”
“But, you love her.” She approached the desk again. “In The Circle, love is eternal. It should be like that in this world too. Besides...” She lowered her zipper, exposing her cleavage. “I can keep Jonathan busy while you whisk Dee off in private. You and Dee could have a good, long talk.” She stood back, clutching her backside. “Maybe you can persuade her to leave him if you get her alone.”
“Why are you doing this? I still don’t buy that it’s just to get revenge on Jonathan.”
She held a catlike grin. “There could be other reasons.”
“Like what?”
She licked her lips, adding sheen to her red lipstick. “Time will tell.”
****
“He’s coming.” Shauna drifted through the freezing aisles of Jonathan’s plant lab. “You thought he’d say no?”
He turned from the table as Shauna walked out the aisle. “Good girl.”
“Hopefully during this party, Winston and I can get closer. The closer we get, the more I can find out. We talked , and he doesn’t give an inch but he very much thinks you killed Prisha.”
“Did he say anything else about the case?”
“No. He doesn’t trust me but I’ll break that wall.” She smiled. “And, it’ll be fun trying.”
“I need to find out what he’s planning concerning Deidra. That’s what’s important.”
“How are things between you and Deidra?” She raised her chin. “Trouble in paradise?”
“No.” He held a plastered smile that suggested bluffing. “She’s fitting in well.”
“I heard she hasn’t been consummated yet.” Shauna grinned, mockingly. “Is that true? It’s been three months and you haven’t had sex with her yet? What’s the hold up?”
“Nothing.” He groaned.
“Doesn’t she love you?” She laughed. “Course she doesn’t. Jonathan’s Web is what loves you.”
He scrunched his face.
“Maybe you need to up her dosage and she’ll open her legs.”
“Shut up.” He replaced the slide on the microscope. “I’ll have Dee, and she’ll be my Head Mistress.”
“What?” Shauna curled her fingers into fists. “It took me years to be Head Mistress, and I was the first to join The Circle.”
“You’re not Deidra. I told you she’s special.”
“And, I wasn’t?” She stuck out her bosom. “I will become a part of The Circle again and I’ll be Head Mistress.”
He laughed. “Will you?”
She stomped to the doorway. “Watch me.”
****
Friday night, Dee wandered through Jonathan’s crowded ballroom as the guests danced and ate, celebrating Rena’s birthday.
In her white, off-the-shoulder dress with the snug bodice, Dee sat at the center table, wondering if anyone could notice her apprehension.
The women of The Circle stood around the massive room in various styles of white gowns while Jonathan entertained a group of flirtatious women.
After he pried himself from the beauties, he walked up behind Dee’s chair and gripped her shoulders. “Miss me?”
She faked a smile, touching the white satin bow that accented her hair bun. “You seem to be having fun.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” He sat in the designated chair beside her as if he were a king. “It’s a party isn’t it?”
Dee watched Rena dancing with her curves looking amazing in the white gown with the long train.
“This means the world to her,” Jonathan said. “Not just the party but because you’re here. She’s grown so close to you.”
“She’s become a great friend.” Dee sighed, gazing at the centerpiece of white and yellow flowers lit by a strand of lights.
Jonathan leaned into her smelling of the pineapple drink he’d been nursing all night. “What’s wrong?”
She touched his ruby ring. “I don’t know.”
“I want you to always be honest with me.” He tapped her nose. “How can I help you if you’re not?”
She lowered her head, chandelier earrings tapping her cheeks. “I feel like I don’t belong here. Something’s off.”
Jonathan grimaced.
“Like there’s a hole inside me and something’s missing.”
A vein throbbed in his neck. “That’s not very reassuring.”
“I hope I haven’t offended you.”
“What are you saying? That you wanna leave?”
“No.” She grabbed his arm. “I’m just confused.”
“You’re a part of us. Then again...” He let her chair go. “Maybe this is because you haven’t given yourself to the cause. You’ve been resistant.”
She became tense. “Sex again?”
“Giving your body to me means giving it to all of us.”
“I want to but something’s holding me back.” She fought tears. “Like it’s wrong.”
“How can it be wrong if you love me?” He turned her toward him. “Fate brought you here to be with me. You weren’t happy in your other life.”
“That’s not true.”
His voice rose, but the music prevented others from hearing it. “What’s changed?”
“I don’t know.” She put her palms over her face, sobbing. “Now you’re mad at me. This is why I didn’t want to say anything.”
“I’m not mad,” he whispered, pulling down her hands. “I’m frustrated because I’ve given you everything and nothing’s enough. Just tell me what else I can do, Deidra.”
She wiped her eyes with a napkin, careful not to mess up her makeup. “I guess I’m scared.”
“Don’t be.” He kissed her hand. “Look around.” He pointed to the people. “They’re smiling and having fun. No doubts. Look at the women of The Circle. Happier than ever. They gave everything to The Circle and never looked back. Once you do that, you’ll understand you’ve done the right thing.”
She caught sight of Shauna and the gorgeous, curly-haired man beside her at the doorway. His red shirt made his blue eyes even more dashing if that were possible.
“God.” Dee dropped her napkin on the lavender tablecloth. “What is this?”
Shauna flounced around, clutching Winston’s arm. The peach jersey dress with a deep waist fit tight around her large bust and then flowed out at the hips, making her curves even more noticeable.
“Um.” Dee batted her eyes. “Am I seeing things here?”
“Ah, yes.” Jonathan smiled. “I offered an olive branch to Winston.”
Shauna took Winston to the food table where they scanned the elegant snacks made of ingredients from Jonathan’s garden.
“Why on earth would you do that?” Dee’s blood pressure rose. “What are you up to, Jonathan?”
“Nothing. You wanted me to give Shauna another chance, so I invited her to the party. She wanted to bring Winston.” He shrugged a shoulder. “I’m tired of the fighting and want a truce.”
“Bull. You want to shove our relationship in his face.”
He grabbed a fat strawberry out the fruit bowl. “Why are you so suspicious of my motives?”
“You hate Winston and gloating’s the only reason you’d tolerate him.” Dee groaned as Shauna pushed a cracker in his mouth. “This is a party and how am I gonna have fun with them here?”
“Why is it uncomfortable having Winston here?”
“I don’t trust him.” She crossed her legs. “Just like you have a motive for letting him come, he has one for being here. Believe me.”