Chapter 10 #2
I love James, and the fact that I hurt him hurts me, but I'll not lose him and Ana too.
I hurry out of the ballroom and reach the elevator.
I'm pushing the button repeatedly when I feel Duncan stand directly behind me. The door opens and I try to rush in to close it on him. Of course, that doesn’t work.
He pushes in as the doors close. Duncan presses the button for our floor and crowds me against the back of the elevator.
I turn my back on him, hoping he'll get the clue.
He pushes into me, putting his hands on the railing in front of me.
I'm pressed into his chest, trapped between his body and the wall. I normally only do one-night stands, if that at all, but he’s all I want. Why is he still in my system?
"Maya, I know loss. Loss of a parent, loss of a lifelong mate, and loss of men I led. I get it. However, I don't like the thought of you in danger, no matter how hot it is. How did you get into my blood so deeply?"
"Please, Duncan, I told you no."
"Maya, I'll see you again. We'll figure this out. I want you and I know you want me. Your pulse is racing right now because I'm so close." He points at my neck.
"No! I can't do this!" The elevator dings at our floor. I push past him and run to my room. I'm pretty fast, but I don't have his legs and I'm wearing heels
"Maya, wait." He grabs me and pulls me back into his chest. I want to go on the defense and attack him, but my mind short circuits.
His big body surrounds me, his masculine scent engulfs me, and those damn tingles when he touches me sends my heart racing, blood heating, and my body readying for him.
"Please, Duncan, no." I feel him resign himself. I want him so bad, but right now, I'm too raw. Seeing Ana leave and James hurting is messing with me.
"Okay, I'll see you in the morning." Groaning, he lets me go and I walk to my door.
I enter my room, take off my heels, and remember I forgot to talk to the wedding coordinator.
I slip my heels back on and peek out the door to see the hall is clear.
Deciding to take the stairs just in case, the burn of energy will help my senses.
As I'm almost to the bottom, the door opens and a couple falls into the stairwell.
They're heavily kissing and groping each other.
I ignore them until I notice the best man… Fucktard.
"Hey, Mia, see what you're missing. Why don't you come join us? I like threesomes, bet you will too," he slurs.
I walk right up to them. His companion is the server who was checking out Duncan. I get right in his face and bring my knee up.
"My name is Maya, you fucktard." I push past them and into the hall, leaving him groaning and crying like a girl.
Yep, a fucktard.
After arranging everything, I decide to go back to my room and relax for the night.
Maybe a bath in the huge tub and some whiskey will calm my nerves.
As I enter my room, I look to the nightstand and see another arrangement of flowers.
This time, they're gardenias. Taking out my cell phone, I snap a picture and send it with a message to Derek and Greg.
Me
Got these, my annual flowers, and a single red rose delivered to me in the last two days. What do they mean other than I have a stalker?
Derek
I'm moving in again. No ifs, ands, or buts about it, sexy. I'll make sure Dad keeps it on the DL. I'll research the meanings and let you know. Having fun? Tell James I said hi!
Me
Not really. Miss you.
Derek
Me too. I'll pick you up at the airport. Be careful.
Me
Love you.
Derek
Me too.
Greg
I see the messages. I will forward it on to Jones.
I end the chat, walk over to the flowers, and drop them into the trash. I then notice the note left behind.
My Darling,
I'll not allow you to get away from me like she did. You looked so lovely in that dress tonight. I was sure you would. You're more beautiful than she ever was.
Oh, the memories. Oh, what I'll do to you when we finally meet.
Love always.
My skin crawls and I immediately get out of the dress and stash the note in my backpack to research later.
I'm walking downstairs. I recognize the hallway.
This is Savta's home in Tel Aviv. I step into a room of strangers and they all stare at me, making me feel like I'm on display.
Maybe they're staring at me because I've not been able to look in a mirror in days to do my hair.
I slide my hand through my hair, feeling the tangles.
I don't want to be here. They will turn on me any moment when they realize I murdered them.
It's Shiva, and no one talks about her, only him. I walk through another room to see Savta. She looks so lost, her head bowed and the wig she wears a little askew because of all the hugs and crying.
"Savta, can I talk to you?" I say in Hebrew
"Motek, come, my dear." She leads me from the room.
My grandmother only speaks Hebrew and Yiddish anymore; she knows English but refuses to speak it.
Motek means sweetheart in Hebrew—she's called me that since I was little.
Pain blossoms in my chest and I feel a pain in my arm.
I look down to see a bloody, boney hand gripping me.
I look up and Savta is scowling at me. I'm lying in my bed.
"Maya, wake up." Her voice is frantic and sounds breathless.
"What, Savta? It's not morning yet," I say in Hebrew back to her.
"Maya, there has been an accident."
"Accident? What?" I revert to English in my terror.
"You killed them. You spoiled child. My son would still be alive if you hadn't pushed them to go out."
"Savta! I didn't know."
I'm yelling it wasn't my fault when I look around and find I'm standing in a market. People are pushing past me. I'm dressed in my gear, my balaclava pulled under my chin. I hear a voice and swing around to see no one.
"Maya, darling, you look so beautiful. What I'd do for you... I'd kill for you. You're my one and only." I look down at my feet to see Ana and James dead.
"Maya, wake up! There’s been another accident," Savta says. Duncan is dead. His beautiful black hair is covered in blood.
"Maya, no. Maya! Why, why did you do this?" I’m bleeding in the tub.
I come awake as the voices yell in my dreams. Crap, this is twice in two nights the nightmares are back in full force. My stalker has brought them out. No going back to sleep now. I get up and change into shorts and a workout top and head to the gym. I need a good run.