Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) (12 page)

Daisy snatched
her hand back. “I’m growing them out for the ball. Don’t they look better that
way?”

“I actually like
your stubby nails more.”

She pulled him
down to her and caressed his back. “They’re really not that long. I just
haven’t bitten them. Also, I’ve been sick." Her skin felt itchy from the
grass now.

“Can you feel
those scratches on my back?”

“Oh, just a
few. I thought you’d like that,” she pouted.

“I do,
especially from you, but...I don’t know. Let me get your robe." He walked
to the bench, pulled his jeans on, and retrieved her robe.

She sat up,
looking at her nails and shrugging. “I feel like you’re mad at me, Christian. I
would die if you were." She tugged her robe on.

He cupped her
face. “I could never be mad at you. But I am worried,” he glanced at her chest.
“Why is there a burn mark on your skin from the cross?”

She looked down
and shrugged. “I’m not sure. So what if there is. Maybe I’m the same as you. I
want us to be the same. Don’t you?”

“No, not in
that way. I would rather send you away from here, even it means letting you go.
This place is bad for you, Daisy.”

He took her
hand and sat her on the bench, still holding it. “I love you, you must know
that. Something inside you was fighting this...place. I’m part of this place,
Daisy. Maybe we’re not meant to be together.”

She sucked in
her breath and pulled her hand away. “What? Are you kidding me? I love you with
all my heart, Christian. How could you say that? I just gave myself to you. Are
you one of those typical guys who gets what they want and then that’s it?"
She stood, her hands balled into fists to her side. Tears threatened to fall.

“No, honey. You
know how I feel. It kills me to even think this much less say it. I don’t know
what else to do,” he admitted, trying to hold her hand.

“So what will
you do, go live your life with someone else? Maybe Charlotte would be a good
choice.”

“Don’t talk like
that. I just feel that no matter where we are, your soul will always battle the
darkness that lives in me. I won’t have that.”

“So what do I
do? Leave here without you? Go on to be a kindergarten teacher in Chicago and
pretend I never met you? I can’t. I won’t,” she shook her head. “My soul is
already dark, Christian. It belongs to Jack and you.”

“How does it
belong to Jack?”

She tried to
walk away, but he grabbed her arm. “Tell me.”

“He comes to me
at night. It’s the only way I could be with you tonight. That was the deal I
made with him.”

“Oh, my God.
What happened in that school, Daisy? Tell me!”

She shook her
head. “All I know is this is my town now. I’m not good anymore, Christian. I’m
not that sweet Daisy you met a month ago. Let her go and love me!”

He grabbed her
to him and sobbed, rubbing his tears against her face and hair. “No.”

“I can’t leave
here, Christian. It’s too late.”

“No, it’s not.
Just leave. It’s that simple,” he cried.

A jackal howled
in sync with their cries. The summer night wind blew through the trees, bending
them in unison with the jackal’s song like an invisible hand on a violin.

“You asked what
happened at the school. Jack came there. He made a deal with me that he would
allow me to only belong to you the day of your birthday and from then on if I
were to let him come to my room at night leading up to then.”

Christian’s
eyes widened. “Go on.”

She sighed. “I
wanted you, Christian. I wanted our life together without carrying Jack’s baby.
I just wanted you. So I said yes and signed a contract with my blood.”

“No.”

She nodded.
“That’s why the old Daisy is slipping away. My soul is turning black." She
wrapped her arms around his neck. “My love is still strong for you. That’s what
keeps the good alive in me. That’s why I got sick. I will never let go of that
love.”

He pulled away
and pushed her arms down. “I can’t be with you anymore, Daisy. Knowing I’ve
caused this. I just can’t. Every time I look in your eyes, I’ll know I did this
to you. I now wish you never loved me!”

He ran in the
house and left her alone with her choice.

Tears blurred
her vision and allowed them to fall. Standing alone, she crossed her arms
around herself. She glanced at the grassy spot where they had made love. The stars
had seemed to disappear, just black space. Or maybe it was how she viewed the
world now.

She stood
straight as steel and wiped away her tears. Taking a deep breath, she knew what
she had to do and headed for the house.

***

Christian went to
his room and blasted rock music to drone out the noise in his head. He lay on
his bed with his hands folded behind his head, trying not to think of her.

He pulled the
pillow over his face and screamed into it. Anger built up in him. He couldn’t
understand why she would do that. But he knew.

After taking a
fast shower, he turned the music lower and got under the sheets. Maybe tomorrow
he would talk to her again. He didn’t want to hurt her. His mind reminded him
of their night together or should he say his body. Their bodies melted together
as if born for this moment.

God help him
but he wanted her again. He would always want her. Want her lips, her hair, her
breasts, her belly, her legs...her heart.

He would find a
way. If she asked to stay, he would find a way.

The next
morning he got dressed and practically skipped to her room.

It was empty of
her.

He ran to the
closet. No clothes.

He ran to the
bathroom. No brushes or makeup.

He called out
to her. Nothing.

Christian ran
down the stairs to the kitchen. “Lucinda, where’s Daisy?”

Lucinda stood
at the stove, cooking bacon and turned to him. “Miss Daisy? She leave last
night, Mr. Christian. Had bags with her. Something about going home. I was in
my room and she come in to say thank you, even kissed my cheek. What did you
do?” she asked, waving a spatula at him.

“Nothing. I’ll
see you later and thanks!” he yelled out as he ran through the front door past
James.

He drove to
Jack’s Den like a madman. His father would be there. If Daisy wanted to go home,
then he would let her. But he needed to get through to his father and Jack to
let that happen.

The restaurant
was filled with its usual morning patrons. It was their busiest time of the
day. He knocked on the conference door in the back and opened it before his
father could answer.

“Son, may I
help you?” his father asked, irritated at the intrusion.

“Call off any
dogs set on Daisy now!”

“What the hell
are you talking about?”

“Dad, if I know
Jack, he’s already on her tail. He’ll never let her leave and you know
it." He gritted his teeth, standing before his father.

William Stone
stood and jutted his jaw to the door for the men to leave. After they closed
the door, he responded. “First of all, you don’t use that tone with me,
especially in front of the men. And second of all, I don’t control what Jack
Red does, you hear me?”

“But you do
know she left then?” he asked in a calmer tone.

“I know you
messed up. I know you told her you didn’t want to be around her anymore. Jack
knows it as well.”

“How does he know?
We were out in the...”

“Garden? I know
about your mother’s statue protecting you out there, but no. He came to her in
her room. She told him you didn’t love her anymore and she wanted out.”

“What did he
say?”

“He reminded
her they had a deal. So, he made a proposition.”

“What
proposition?”

“He wants his
birthday ball with or without you, Christian. So he offered for her to stay
with him and...”

“What, Father?”

William
chuckled, shaking his head. “For her to be Eric’s date in November. He knows
how she cares for Eric, and it was easy to keep her.”

Christian stood
there, not able to say a word. His heart pounded against his chest. His mouth
dried up.

His father
continued. “Shocked? Yeah, I was too, but that’s the thing about Jack. He
doesn’t give a shit. Now you’ll have to go with Charlotte after all. Her dream
come true." He sat back down and folded his hands on the table.

“No.”

“Oh, you have
no choice now. You threw her away, son.”

“I did it
because I loved her. I couldn’t let her become...”

“What? Like us.
It’s too late. So you gave her up for no reason. She hates you now, wants
nothing to do with you. Good job, son." He turned his attention to the
paperwork in front of him.

Christian
clenched his fists to his side, gritting his teeth. “Sometimes I...”

His father
looked up. “What?” he asked.

The glare in
his father’s eye stopped him. “I’m going to Jack’s and getting her. I’m not
letting this happen." He strode to the door.

“Good luck with
that. Send the men back in, please.”

Christian ran
out to his truck and gunned it to Jack’s house, or should he say palace. It was
built on a hill away from the town. A place to oversee everything.

Some called it
the Devil’s headquarters.

The guards let him
through the gates, waving at him. He put on a mask of smiles for them. He
jumped out of his truck and ran to the double steel doors and banged. He yanked
the heavy rope that rang the bell, giving a thunderous gong.

Jack opened the
door and smiled. “Christian! So nice to see you. Look, I’m a little busy right
now so can we chat later?”

He stuck his
foot in the door. “No. Where is she?”

“Who? Oh, Daisy
you mean? I think she’s taking a bubble bath. You see, Eric is coming to take
her out today. They might be a better match than you were." His head fell
back, sardonic laughter filling the air.

“You son of a
bitch!”

“Go get
Charlotte. She’s a good fuck." He slammed the door, pushing his foot out
of the way.

Christian
turned to leave and bumped into Eric.

“Christian, I’m
so sorry, man. I never intended for this–”

His fist
already cocked and hit Eric in the jaw. “I swear to God if you touch her I will
kill you, you understand me?”

Eric rubbed his
jaw and shook to clear his head. He searched for his glasses that flew off.

Christian
kicked his glasses over to Eric’s wandering hand.

“What the hell,
Christian,” he jumped up and glared at him. “I said I’m sorry, but you should
be the sorry one. You told her you didn’t want her anymore? You’re a fool.
She’s the best thing that’s ever come to this town. If she’s willing to love
me, I’m all hers,” he said, staring him down.

“You want my
status, Eric? Please, take it! I can finally get out of this town then. When is
your birthday?”

“November,” he
answered.

“Great, so now
you can be Jack’s bitch. Thanks, man! I’ve been waiting for someone like you.
And by the way, Daisy will never love you, not in a million years. I own her
heart. Even if Jack owns her soul and even if you lay your slimy hands on her,
she’ll always belong to me." He spit near Eric’s feet and smiled, leaving
him with that thought.

As he opened
his truck’s door, he glanced up at the house and saw Daisy standing at the
window. Their eyes locked and then she let the curtain fall back.

“Daisy,” he
whispered.

***

Daisy came down
the stairs emotionless. She forced a smile for Eric and allowed him to kiss her
cheek. “How’re you, Eric?" The bruise on his face caught her eye. “What
happened?”

“Oh, it’s
nothing. Christian caught me off guard.”

“What? I’m so
sorry, Eric.”

“Seeing you
stand there, Daisy, it was well worth it. My God, you’re beautiful." He
stuck his arm out for her to hold.

“Thank
you." She smiled and took his offered arm.

Jack walked out
from his office. “Have fun, kids. Get to know each other well. It’s on me,” he
winked, grinning.

Eric allowed
Daisy to go ahead of him and turned back to Jack. “Thanks again, Jack. But I’m
a gentleman, and I don’t like that kind of talk in front of a lady.”

Daisy stood by the
door waiting, listening to Eric defend her honor. She was touched but scared
for him.

“Well, all I
have to say is when your gentlemanly ways disappear, and they will, my friend,
you will enjoy her. I know I have,” he admitted, winking.

Eric took a
step toward Jack, but Daisy walked back and touched his arm.

“Let’s go,
Eric. It’s fine. He’s only teasing you, okay?" She smiled, glancing at
Jack, fear gripping her heart. She knew what he was capable of doing and would
not let Eric die for her.

Jack laughed.
“Yes, take Daisy on a nice picnic. Enjoy the woods. It’s nice and quiet
there." He waved and returned to his office.

“That was sweet
of you, Eric, really, but don’t go against Jack again. You don’t mess with
him.”

They walked
down the steps and to his Camaro. He opened her door and then got in on his
side.

“Fine. I just
don’t like that kind of talk. I’ve really grown fond of you, Daisy." He
took her hand and kissed it. “I would be so proud to have you by my side at my
birthday ball...for eternity if you would have me.”

She smiled and
felt a lump in her throat. She swallowed hard and turned away, hiding the tears
that threatened to flow.

Seeing
Christian by his truck earlier practically killed her. She ached to run to him,
feel his strong arms around her, his lips on hers. But then Jack had called out
to her.

“Do you think
you could ever love me, Daisy?” he whispered. “Even a little?”