Always & Forever (40 page)

She shook her head and stepped back from him. “I’ve got a better idea.”

“Better?”

Her hand strayed to the button of her work slacks. She toyed with it for a minute. “You bragged about the hot tub, but we’ve never been in it. I’ve heard two people on a secluded deck without swimsuits can have a lovely time in one.”

Zach gulped, his eyes fixated on her hands.

She slowly unfastened the button and moved the zipper down, inch by inch.

“I’ve heard that too,” he managed. He unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the ground.

“Mmmm...I love my future husband’s muscles.” She wiggled her hips and her pants slipped off to fall in a heap at her feet. Grasping the edges of her blouse, she drew it over her head so she stood only in her light teal underclothing. She turned halfway to the side and tossed a glance at him over her shoulder. “What do you think of your future wife’s body?”

He closed the distance between them, scooped her off her feet, and spun in a circle. “You look good enough to eat.”

She laughed again, and it was the sweetest sound in the world. “Then don’t hold back, big boy.”

Lilly stepped out of Woodbridge Manor and rushed to her car. Savannah started school in two weeks, so Sarah’s family would head back to Seattle soon. They’d all spent as much time together as possible before then, and Zach and Lilly planned to meet his entire family to go out on the boat for the evening.

It was so nice to have a real friend in Sarah. Lilly hadn’t had a girlfriend for a long time.

Footsteps rang out on the pavement behind her. “Where are you hurrying off to? We need to talk.”

Lilly whipped her head around. Curtis Crandall strode toward her at a ground-eating pace. One more row of vehicles stood between her and her car. If only she could make it before he caught up to her. She dropped her cane and broke into as much of a run as she could manage.

Her keys were still inside her purse. She didn’t even have the stun gun with her. She’d transferred to a smaller purse that morning and hadn’t had room for it.

When the stalker didn’t make more threats, she grew complacent. Even McMann felt reassured when nothing more happened, taking the undercover cop who had been watching Lilly off the case yesterday.

Why did she let herself stop worrying? Even if Charles had gone into hiding, Crandall was just as dangerous. Lilly fumbled inside the purse, and her finger snagged on the key ring. She pulled it out and hit the panic button as she reached her car.

Crandall tackled her from behind and threw her against the back of the silver Escort. The bumper and trunk dug into her under his weight. Her purse flung out of her hand and slid down the trunk, coming to rest at her feet.

“Turn that alarm off or you’ll need more excuses for your bruises,” he said into her ear.

Lilly’s hands shook so badly that she couldn’t push the button to disable the alarm.

Crandall spun her around and snatched the key fob out of her unresisting fingers. The alarm stopped. “Now for my question.” Crandall reached up and caressed her neck. “Why is it that I’m no longer welcome at my good little buddy’s house, huh?”

Lilly squeezed her eyes shut, trying to breathe deeply to slow her heart rate. She had no way to defend herself. She looked around the parking lot, hoping to see a friendly face, but Crandall had picked his attack well. The parking lot was empty.

“Aren’t you going to answer?” Crandall slapped her face lightly. “I’m waiting. What did you tell him?”

Lilly met his eyes and put as much challenge as she could into her gaze. Her hands were icy, and her heart felt like it was about to gallop out of her chest, but perhaps Crandall would be dissuaded by a strong front. Eventually, someone would come out here and see him. Someone would help her.

She took a deep breath. “I didn’t tell him anything. Zach decided to come clean with his family and told your ‘little buddy’ how you slept with Victoria for four years, and now Tommy thinks you’re a disgusting asshole.”

The jab to her stomach was swift and hard. It forced all the breath—as well as the fight—out of her. Lilly’s legs weakened and she struggled to keep her feet.

Crandall gathered her into his arms and the sweet smell of his expensive cologne overpowered her senses, gagging her. “Why do you make me do that, Lilly? I don’t want to hurt you. I’m so sorry.” His lips brushed against hers.

Lilly tried to back away from him, but there was nowhere to go. His apology formed an eerie echo of similar speeches made by Charles. She heard the same words so many times before, every time Charles hurt her.

“I can’t stop thinking about you these past few weeks,” he continued, squeezing his arms around her tightly. “I’ve been waiting for a chance to get you alone. Ever since we kissed at the party, I can’t get you out of my mind.”

He was still convinced they’d shared a passionate embrace? After what he’d done to her? Tommy’s words replayed through her mind. Crandall must have decided she was interested in him, just like that girl from the party Tommy described. It was hard to believe he was so far out of touch with reality.

He ran his sweaty hands across her back. “I want to be with you. I love you.”

Lilly felt the wet tears on her cheeks, despite her efforts to reveal no weakness. It was past time she told Zach the truth. Even if, in the end, he believed Crandall’s lies, she at least had to make an effort to be honest with him. She pushed Crandall away from her, but he easily overpowered her weak struggles.

“Come on. I know you want me as much as I want you.” His slimy tongue dragged across her neck and along her ear. “I felt it that night before you got feisty. Don’t fight it anymore. Zach is nothing.”

“I’m going to marry Zach, Curtis.” Lilly tried to soften her voice, tried to seem regretful. She mustn’t antagonize him. “You need to find love where you are her first choice. I’m not the right girl for you.”

He slammed her against the car and caged her body with his thick arms on either side of her waist. “You’re marrying him?”

The look in Crandall’s eyes wasn’t exactly sane.
Be careful, Lilly.

She held up her ring for his inspection. “I’m sorry, but Zach and I are engaged.”

“But I’m your soul mate.” His lips pressed against hers with bruising force. He applied pressure no matter how far she leaned away. “I’m the one who loves you.”

She already knew how quickly Crandall could switch from abusive lover to crafty, self-preserving monster. He had been cold, calculating that night in the library after Sarah found them. He reasoned out why she shouldn’t tell Zach, and then calmly threatened to kill Sarah if the police became involved. Now, he was different. More aggressive in the fact he loved her. He seemed obsessed.

Like a stalker.

She turned her head to the side, and Crandall kissed her cheek and chin. “Did you kill my father?” she asked.

Crandall pulled back from her and smiled. “Whoever did that sure did you a favor, didn’t they?”

“No,” she said, horrified. “How could you say that?”

“I heard he treated you like dirt, always saying horrible things about you. He didn’t show any love for you. Why would you love him, instead of me?”

Lilly’s breath caught in her throat. How did Crandall know all that? Lilly shook her head as tears flowed down her face. “Of course I loved him. He was my father, damn you. You’re crazy!”

Wham!

All the air rushed out of Lilly’s lungs as he punched her below the diaphragm.

“Don’t be a bitch. I’m showing you real love.”

She slid down the back of the car and sat on the bumper. Her lungs wheezed as she tried to force oxygen back into her body.

“You’re going to make me do something to Sarah now, aren’t you? Remember what I said about calling the cops? Besides, I didn’t kill your father. I’m just glad he’s dead.”

She couldn’t let him worry about the cops. She believed he was crazy enough to harm Sarah. “I promise I won’t call the cops.”

He stroked her hair. “Don’t fool yourself into thinking I’m stupid and I haven’t made plans if you double cross me. If you turn me in for hitting you the other night, or because I accidently lost my temper today, I have a plan for Sarah. And if the police take me to jail and I can’t do it myself, I have an associate ready to take care of her.” Crandall smiled. “In fact, he’s hoping that happens. He’s a little sadistic.”

And here was the calculating monster. Lilly had to keep her mouth shut now. If she told Zach the truth and he believed her, he would insist she go to the police. She couldn’t risk that Crandall might do something to Sarah—that he might kill her.

“Please, Curtis. I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I know you’d never hurt me on purpose. You love me. Let’s leave Sarah out of this.”

Crandall nodded once curtly. “Give me a kiss, and all is forgotten.”

It’s not cheating. I have to keep him calm until Sarah leaves. There’s not enough security here to protect her. Once she’s safe in Seattle, I’ll tell Zach and Officer McMann. I can do this.

She stood on shaky legs and planted a quick peck on his cheek. “There. All better?”

“That’s not a kiss.” He grabbed her shoulders and forced his mouth onto hers. His tongue parted her tightly clamped lips and he groaned.

Just endure. Don’t bite him. You’ve dealt with worse. Think of Sarah. Her life is worth this.

Lilly tried to let her mind wander. She imagined herself anywhere but in this parking lot with Curtis Crandall’s disgusting tongue stuck in her mouth. The interminable kiss finally ended, and he pulled back from her.

“That’s more like it.” Her keys dangled from his fingers and he dropped them into her hand. “Everything is going to be great between us. You
do
need to get rid of Zach soon though, or I’ll have to.”

Lilly closed her eyes, silently praying for the right words to come to her lips. “You’ll have to give me a little time, babe. I’ll need to engineer a good reason to break up with him. The Woodbridges are powerful, and I’d really like us to be able to stay here. I love this place and your business is here.”

He nodded. “I’ll give you a few days to work it out.” He kissed her again, and she tried not to shudder. “Let’s charter a private plane next week with your newfound wealth. We can fly to Mexico and get married.”

She forced herself to meet his gaze and attempted a smile. “Sounds like a plan.”

A broad grin spread across his mouth and he kissed her once again. “Now, tell me how much you love me.”

She’d say anything to convince the psycho he didn’t need to hurt Zach or Sarah. “I love you, Curtis.”

***

Zach sat on the deck of the yacht. Staring at Lilly hadn’t told him what was wrong with her. She’d been late getting home from work and insisted on brushing her teeth and showering before they left. At least she hadn’t washed her hair, but they’d been a half-hour late.

Lilly’s third glass of champagne made rapid progress down her throat. In all the time he’d known her, she’d never had more than one, and most times barely finished that. Something happened today, but she refused to say anything to him about it.

Sarah chatted with Bridget, while Lilly sat next to them. She hadn’t said more than two words all evening. The looks Sarah kept darting his direction told him he wasn’t the only one who noticed Lilly’s odd behavior.

“Aunt Lilly, is this pretty enough for you?” Savannah sat cross-legged on the floor next to the adults, coloring in the book Lilly had bought her. “Do you like purple doggies?”

The smile that passed Lilly’s face was the first normal expression Zach had seen on it all night.

“Purple doggies are perfect, munchkin. Are you making that to hang on my refrigerator?”

“Yep.” Savannah leaned back and stretched. “When we go home, Mommy says we can send you more stuff in a...an everalope if I make you somethin’ at school.”

“I would very much like to receive an
envelope
from you.” Lilly blinked rapidly several times and looked out across the water.

What was going on with her?

Zach stood behind her chair, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “Honey, are you okay?”

Her whole body jerked. When she turned, she’d plastered a smile across her face, and she kissed his hand. “I’m just fine.”

He kept his voice low. “Did you get another text message or something?”

She shook her head.

“I don’t like you keeping secrets from me. Let’s go inside away from everybody so we can talk.”

“Don’t be silly.” She giggled and waved her hand over her shoulder at him.

It was a giggle—not her laugh or even her sexy chuckle. An airy-fairy, fake, Victoria giggle.

Zach narrowed his eyes. “You’re scaring me.”

She tossed back the contents in her glass, swallowed it in one gulp, and held the cup out to him. “Would you refill this, please?”

“Don’t you think you’ve had enough?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Are you monitoring my drinking now?”

Sarah and Bridget both stared at them, and Zach realized his attempts at discretion had failed. Lilly’s voice challenged him at such a high volume, James, Steven and Tommy looked at them from where they talked across the deck.