22. Chapter 22
June 29, 2011
2:13 pm
If what Thomas said was true, then Eli knew more than he was saying. And Trey wanted to know what it was. So, armed with fury and determination, Hailey and Trey went to talk to Eli while Gavin stayed with Sara at Genevieve’s, hoping to calm her down. Carter had tagged along, trying to convince the housekeeper to bake more cookies.
At first, Trey had fought with Hailey, not wanting her to get involved. But after hearing Thomas’ admission, she refused to be sidelined. Plus, Trey knew she would do it on her own if he didn’t include her.
“Looks like they’re home,” Trey said as they pulled up to the house. Both vehicles sat in the driveway, catching the sun’s rays.
The two of them climbed out of the truck and walked up to the door and knocked. There was no movement on the other side of the wood barrier, so Trey knocked again.
Silence.
“Maybe they’re taking a nap?” Hailey said.
Trey shook his head. “I’m gonna see if they’re in the backyard.”
Trey walked around the side of the house and through the back gate. When he didn’t see them in the yard, he walked up the porch steps and peered inside through the sliding glass door.
That’s when he noticed the smoke.
“Shit,” he said as he jumped off the porch and ran around to the front of the house. Hailey’s hand was already pushing the door open as he yelled, “Hailey, no!”
Before he could stop her, she darted into danger.
He swore under his breath as he quickly went to his truck and dispatched fire and rescue. Then, he ran into the house toward the flames, hearing sirens in the distance.
Once inside, Trey called out for her but was only met with the roar of flames as they fanned up the walls and ceiling. He immediately had to crawl on his hands and knees, the smoke thick and hot. He began coughing so hard he nearly gagged.
He tried to call out for Hailey, but she didn't answer. Neither did Eli nor Loretta. All he heard was the crackling of the fire as it burned toward him.
He rounded the corner and saw a figure, arm raised, a weapon in his hand. Then, Hailey fell to the ground at the assailant’s feet. Fear gripping him, Trey tried to move quickly to protect her from the man. But the faster he moved, the more his lungs constricted, and the room spun.
He crouched close to the floor, attempting to get away from the smoke. But there was no point, it was growing and becoming wild. The fire’s flames were closing in on them.
Then, the figure raced out the back door. The cop in him wanted to run after the masked man, but he couldn’t leave Hailey. So, he let the assailant get away as he picked up her limp body and ran toward safety, pain searing through his lungs as he did.
Please don’t be dead . Please don’t be dead.
He desperately needed fresh air and water, but his body moved much slower than he wanted it to. He was so thirsty, and his chest burned terribly. He could hardly see as smoke clouded his vision and stung his eyes. He cried out as he pushed through the black cloud, each movement bringing nothing but pain.
The bright summer sun blinded him as he emerged from the darkness. Once in the yard, he dropped to the ground and clung to Hailey as firefighters ran past him and paramedics surrounded them. He called her name, desperation filling his voice. A single tear fell down his cheek as he fought off a paramedic who was trying to help.
“Sir, please. We need to get you both to a hospital.”
He thought they may have to restrain him. He was distraught as he fought their hands away. He didn’t want anyone else to touch her, despite knowing they wanted to save her. His heart and body wouldn’t comply with his brain.
“Hailey, please wake up,” Trey’s voice cracked as he held her, gently shaking her.
The paramedic moved to take her from him when Hailey began coughing loudly and harshly, unaware of what was going on. Trey held her tight, afraid he would lose her if he let go. He kissed her face and silently cried as she was assessed.
Then he carried her into the ambulance and laid her on the gurney, forgetting about all protocols. “I’m going with her,” he demanded.
The EMT opened her mouth to object but decided against it. Trey quietly held Hailey’s hand as they began placing wires on her body and IVs in her veins. He gently stroked her hair and whispered, “I’m right here, Princess. I’m not leaving.”
And that was a promise he intended to keep.
I swear aloud as I hang up the phone. No one else was supposed to be at Washington's house. It was only supposed to be Eli. Loretta had her book club, but for some reason she was home. The woman walked in as I stabbed Eli, so she met her demise as well.
There had been so much blood.
I don’t normally resort to such brutality with my kills, but sometimes The Beast is uncontrollable.
I wanted to stay and savor my handiwork, to touch the redness of the stains and smell the copper scent that lingered in the house. But I couldn’t. I had to take care of the mess. So, Ryan doused everything in gasoline and lit a match. I was long gone by then.
But then Hailey showed up. I should have known she would come to see Eli again. Just my effing luck; always sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. So, Ryan bashed her over the head and slipped out the back door, making Trey choose between pursuing the shadowed figure or saving the love of his life.
Anyone with half a brain knew he would save Hailey.
She’s quickly becoming a threat. I may have to kill her; not that I’m upset by the thought.
I drive to my lover’s home and carefully pull into the garage. I wait until it closes to get out and go inside. Once I’m in the house, I assess myself.
Blood has seeped into my clothes and stained my body, the color bringing me joy. I feel a smile creeping back on my cheeks as I remember their last moments: their screams, the crimson that flowed so effortlessly, the final breath leaving their butchered bodies…my heart leaps.
Unfortunately, Eli knew too much, and I wasn’t taking any chances for the old man to croak about all he knew.
Thankfully, my secrets died with him. Just like they died with Nicole.
I step into the shower, removing the soiled clothes as the hot water cascades over me. I exhale as the steam wraps around me. I watch intently as the blood mixes with the water and swirls down the drain. Too bad. I enjoyed it staining my skin, a reminder of what I’m capable of.
Everything I do, everything I’ve done, is to protect all that I’ve built and the secrets that I want to keep buried.
And I’ll kill anyone who gets in the way of that.