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“You serious?” Dee got the sliced ham and cheese out Winston’s refrigerator. “You’re moving back to Baltimore?”
Lydia shrugged, sitting on the stool by the island. “I’m thinking about it.”
Dee shook up the mustard. “Because of what happened to me?”
“We need to be closer. Family is important and we’re all we have now that Dad’s gone.”
“You haven’t lived here in years.” Dee laid two slices of wheat bread on a paper towel and squeezed mustard over them. “Is this what you really want?”
“When you were with Jonathan, it made me realize the time we spend together is precious.”
“What about Cam?” Dee sucked mustard from her thumb. “Can he give up his life of adventure to settle down in old boring Baltimore?”
“Cam will go wherever I am.” Lydia walked from around the island and stood by the stove. “We can still travel but it’s about time we be more stable.”
“Speaking of Cam...” Dee grinned as she laid brown sugar ham on the bread. “Is that man ever gonna propose?”
“Girl, who you asking? I think he will one day but I hope it’s before I have gray hair and wrinkles.”
Dee laughed.
“Who knows?” Lydia poked Dee’s side. “You and Winston might tie the knot before Cam and I do. God, he loves you.”
Dee smiled, adding American cheese to her sandwich. “I love him too.” She cut the sandwich and passed Lydia one half. “You’re right. Life is too short, and we got to hang on to the ones we love while we can.”
They bumped sandwiches, emulating a toast.
“You deserve a happy ever after, Dee.” Lydia bit into the thick bread.
“But is it possible?” Dee chewed, the tart mustard making her jaw tingle. “Jonathan can’t get away with what he did.”
“He won’t.” Lydia put her arm around Dee’s shoulders. “He’s going to prison for a long time.”
“Well, he’s out of jail already, and he’s got one of the best attorneys in the nation.” Dee looked at her sandwich, chewing. “Horace Black can finagle anything. He hasn’t lost a case in years.”
“He’ll lose this one.” Lydia kissed Dee’s cheek leaving breadcrumbs afterwards. “You staying here again tonight?”
“Heck Winston won’t let me leave. He thinks he has to watch over me every minute like someone’s going to yank me out the yard or something.”
“Just saying if you’re going home I wanna go with you.” Lydia snuggled up against Dee. “We need some alone time to bond.”
“Sounds good. We can...”
Dee’s phone rang.
“Hold on.” She grabbed her cell from her slacks and checked the screen.
Jonathan Wild
Dee shivered.
“What’s wrong?” Lydia peeked at the phone. “That man has nerve I’ve never seen. Let me answer it.” She reached for it but Dee moved. “Don’t talk to him.”
Dee accepted the call but Jonathan spoke before she got the chance.
“Deidra.” He breathed loud. “How are you?”
“Give me the phone,” Lydia whispered.
“You’re not talking, huh?” He sighed. “I’m out of jail in case you didn’t know. Nothing can keep me from you, Deidra. We’ll be together like we’re supposed to be.”
She flexed her fingers, rage bubbling within her.
“I can imagine how confused you are,” Jonathan said. “Things will become clear when you’re back where you belong. I won’t give up on us. Those three months together were the happiest time of my life. I want you to be Head Mistress and rule The Circle by my side. Do you hear me?”
She closed her eyes, swallowing.
“I suggest you call this madness off with the police because you won’t win. You have no proof of anything you claim and no one will back you up. Besides...” He snickered. “You wanted to be with me.”
Dee tensed up, feeling herself rip apart from anger.
“Oh yes,” Jonathan whispered. “Tell Winston to savor every moment you have together because it won’t be long until you’re mine again.” He hung up.
“Ooh!” Dee slammed her phone on the counter. “He’s right.” She rushed out the kitchen. “He’s damn right, Lydia.”
“What are you talking about?” She chased Dee into Winston’s living room. “What did he say?”
Dee rummaged through the nightstand and got Winston’s spare gun.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking care of business.” Dee checked the gun for bullets and grabbed the box of extras from the drawer. “Once and for all.”
“You’re not gonna kill Jonathan are you?” Lydia jumped in front of her. “Dee, wait.”
“Don’t tell me to wait. This motherfucker won’t ever let me go. I’ll never have a life with that creep hanging over me.”
“This is crazy.” Lydia grabbed Dee’s arm as she passed. “You can’t kill him.”
“Wanna bet?”
“Dee.” Lydia pulled her back. “I’m not letting you ruin your life for that bastard. Let the police handle it.”
“You forgot?” Dee put the bullets in her pocket. “I am the police.” She marched out the living room.
“I’m not letting you do this.” Lydia ran behind her. “I’m coming with you.”
Dee shrugged, opening the front door. “Suit yourself.”
****
“That was the attorney on the phone.” Travis stood at Susan’s bedroom doorway. “He’s convinced everything will be all right, and I’ll get off with the justifiable homicide defense.”
“Of course you will.” Susan yanked blouses out her dresser and threw them into the suitcase on her bed. “Everything always goes your way doesn’t it, son?”
He leaned to one side, holding the doorframe. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?” She flung more clothes on the bed. “I’m leaving.” She avoided eye contact to escape the mountain of shame she felt every time she looked at him. “I can’t do this anymore, Travis. I need a break so I’m going to a motel where I can think and be alone.”
“Are you crazy?” He walked in. “How can you leave with all the shit that’s going down?”
“You’re getting off for killing Charlie, aren’t you?” She got underwear from the bottom dresser drawer. “Lord knows my lie helped with that.”
“I’m your son and you’re leaving me when I need you the most?”
“You’re playing that card?” She chuckled. “The last thing you want to be is my son.”
“Why are you doing this, Susan?” He stood at the bed. “Everything will be okay. Just trust me.”
“I don’t wanna trust you anymore!” She shook her head, moving back. “I’m sick of all the lies, secrets, and deceit. It’s killing me.”
“You can’t leave me.”
“I need a damn break.” She flounced past him to get to the closet. “You’re a grown man who decided to take someone’s life so you can deal with it. I defended you against Charlie, what else do you want?”
“That’s it, huh?” He blew air out his cheeks. “Are you missing that fucker? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“I loved Charlie.” She carried blouses to the bed. “I wanted to marry him but you made sure that wouldn’t happen.”
“Charlie didn’t deserve to share the air you breathed. How many times do I have to tell you that no man will love you like I do?”
She pushed him on her way back to the closet.
“I love you—”
“Stop it!” She flipped through the clothes on the hangers. “If you loved me, you wouldn’t be so damn selfish. Charlie is dead because of the sickness we’ve taken part in.”
He closed his eyes. “Don’t call our love a sickness.”
“It’s disgusting and vile and it ends now.” She grabbed jeans and a skirt from the closet and added them to the pile on the bed. “I want you out of here.”
“What?”
“I want you gone.”
“No.” He reached for her as she walked to the other side of the bed. “Susan—”
“This is my house and I no longer want you here.”
“What am I supposed to do?” he yelled. “You can’t just kick me out.”
“You’re a smart, intelligent man.” She folded the clothes. “You’ll do fine without me.”
“No.” He seized her. “I can’t make it without you.”