Killer Cupid (The Redemption Series: Book 1) (28 page)

After the meal David put one of Paulo’s CD’s in the player and invited his fiancée to dance. She giggled with delight as he held her close and guided her around the room. He kissed her as he pleased and allowed his hands to wander over her body. When they landed on the bed, she looked a bit confused. And he felt a bit guilty.  This was not the time and the place. Not if they were going to be “divinely led.”

He kissed her and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Debbie

As I woke up, I saw David coming toward me with a breakfast tray. My sleepy eyes focused on his strong chest and arms, the tight muscles of his abdomen. His scars were still very visible. Blue sweatpants hung low on his hips. He put the tray on the nightstand and woke me the rest of the way with kisses.

“How about painting on the beach today?”

I thought that was a great idea. “Let’s walk that path by the beach. There are some trees we could rest under and paint.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said.

He grabbed me as I tried to get up and tackled me with more kisses. I decided to fight kisses with kisses.

***

I selected a pink dress similar to the style I wore yesterday, and he told me how much he liked seeing me in that color. He plunked a hat on my head, and we walked the path along the beach. A sea breeze threatened to blow that hat away, and I told him I wouldn’t mind. We settled in a treed area overlooking the ocean where I planned to paint.

David sat beside me and removed an apple from his backpack. I watched him take a knife from his pocket, open it, and carefully slice the apple. He handed the piece to me. I took a small bite and watched him intently as I chewed. Apple slivers went directly from the blade of the knife to his mouth. I’d never seen anyone eat like this before. He had a faraway look in his eye, off somewhere deep in thought. I finished my apple and turned to my painting, but he insisted on serving me another slice.

Still full from breakfast, I had no interest in it, but accepted it anyway. I took tiny bites, slowly, deliberately chewing, and then swallowing, but it was difficult. I wondered to myself how many gadgets David carried on his person. The phone was always with him, and apparently this knife. And the gun. I shuddered as I recalled him putting it on under his jacket before we left the hospital. I realized he must have had it under his suit jacket the day I first met him at the hospital in Beverly Hills.

I watched him toss the apple core down the embankment. Simultaneously I dropped my apple slice into the sand. “Oh!” I tried to sound disappointed. But I saw his lips curl into a knowing smile.

“Oh, David.” I looked down to see a line of horses and riders parading on the beach below. “Oh, David. Look! Wow!” I ran to the edge of the embankment to watch.

He came up behind me and held me by the waist. “Do you like horses?”

“Oh! Oh yes! They’re so beautiful. I wish I – I wish I could have one.” I was a little embarrassed. I’d never told anyone before about wanting horses.

“Well then, why don’t we go riding later on today?”

I looked up at him in shock. “Oh! Well I – I don’t know how to ride.”

“I know how. I’ll help you. It’ll be fun.”

“Oh.” I was excited and fearful at the same time.

Settling back with the paints and canvas, my mind was distracted by the thought of the upcoming riding lesson. David sensed my upset, and suggested we go visit the stable.

We drove up to a well-maintained barn. David helped me from the car, and we walked hand in hand toward the owner, who stood watching us. David engaged the man in conversation, and a minute later we were touring the stable.

He chose a docile bay mare, and brought me over to the stall. He showed me how to greet and touch the animal. I gingerly patted the horse at first, later growing more confident. Within ten minutes we were best friends, and I threw my arms around the mare’s neck.

The owner stood outside the stall watching all this. I supposed we weren’t the usual customers.

David requested a single horse capable of carrying us both with an English saddle. When the owner heard he intended to pay the price for two horses, just for the one, he became cooperative. David examined a large gray gelding, and arranged with the owner to have the horse ready for us. I watched this procedure anxiously from the comfort of my mare’s stall. I wondered why we couldn’t have my horse to ride.

Since I had no slacks or appropriate shoes in my new wardrobe, we visited my favorite boutique after lunch. The woman outfitted me in a flattering pair of jeans, a cotton shirt, and some sturdy shoes. I left the dressing room a new person.

David liked my outfit so much he ordered several pairs of jeans for me. The savvy saleswoman informed him the cotton top was available in several different colors. And of course there were matching sweaters and sweatshirts. David added them to the bill.

***

It was late in the afternoon when we arrived back at the barn. I shook with fear as David pulled the saddle tighter on the huge gray horse. “Oh… he… he’s beautiful David. But… but… could I just have my horse… you know… my horse, Missy?” I could hardly get the words out as I stood there wringing my hands.

“Sweetheart, I don’t think you’re strong enough yet, to ride by yourself. Perhaps another time. For now we’re going to ride this horse together. I’m going to put you right on my lap, okay? You won’t need to worry about anything, okay?”

“Okay.” I was relieved – and excited – again.

He picked me up and stood me on the mounting block, then went to get the horse. Taking him in a small circle around the yard, David was satisfied with the animal and rode to the mounting block. He lifted me onto the horse, and we made the same circle together.

“Would you like to head down to the beach?” He spoke softly into my ear.

“Yes!” I was breathless with excitement. He carefully explained everything he’d do beforehand so as not to startle me.  In a short time, we were cantering along the beach.

***

Exhausted from the day, we collapsed by the fire and waited for dinner from room service. I fell asleep in David’s arms and slept ten hours straight.

The next day, we visited the stable and went riding. I was so zealous about the horses, David made arrangements for us to ride each day until our departure date on the following Wednesday.

Eduardo

Anthony Cooke poked his balding head around the door to find Eduardo alone in the office, getting organized for the new training job. With the usual twinkle in his eye and broad, toothy smile, he burst in to greet his old friend. Eduardo gave him a bear hug. It seemed like only yesterday since they’d seen each other, but it was actually almost two years. A helicopter pilot and an unlikely looking daredevil, Tony’s madcap stunts had rescued his friends from more than a few scrapes.

Eduardo motioned him to sit. Tony wasted no time in making himself comfortable with his feet up on David’s desk. “So! Cupid’s getting married!” he pronounced in his proper British accent. “I can’t wait to see this chick. I didn’t think he would ever succumb.”

“Me either.” Eduardo grunted.

“Is she positively ravishing? Saucy and shapely?” He motioned descriptively, a lewd look in his eye.

“She’s sweet.” Eduardo laughed.

“Sweet? That’s all?” Tony looked disappointed. Eduardo wasn’t helping him. “What ever happened to our man Cupid?”

“Cookie, what can I say? I just don’t know.”

Chapter Eighteen

David

Their days were full of enjoyable activities, and he was pleased they were becoming so close “outside the bedroom” as Nita would say. Debbie was more comfortable now, more herself. He had a sense of joy deep inside that he couldn’t explain. He’d never experienced that in his life.

Time alone with Debbie, and time to rest and reflect, brought him back to that boat and her paintings. God had showed Himself. David had to honor that. As much as he wanted to consummate his relationship with his fiancée, he knew it would be best to wait until their marriage.

Exhausted from the day, Debbie dozed in his arms, the both of them propped comfortably on numerous down pillows. He held her close and thanked God for her. Cat had always told him prayer was just talking to God. Honestly telling God whatever is on your mind or in your heart. That was his prayer tonight. Gratitude.

Debbie began to stir and she rolled over to face him. He kissed her gently.

“David, Grammy keeps coming to me in my dreams. I have to talk to you.”

“Okay, Sweetheart. What is Grammy saying to you?”

“I need to be honest with you, David. Grammy told me: ‘Remember, nothing can separate you from the love of God.’ And because I know now that God loves me so much – and God loves you that way too – well I have to act like a child of God and be honest. Don’t you think we should do that David?”

“Yes, I suppose so. What did you want to be honest with me about?”

“Well I know you’ll probably think I’m crazy, but the last time I saw Grammy I was with her in heaven. It was last Christmas Eve. My heart stopped a little bit, and I was in heaven with Grammy.”

“What?” His heart pounded, and he could see his concern on her face.

She put her hand over his heart. “You mustn’t worry, David. I’m back here because I have work to do, and Cat’s supposed to help me. And she is. But I just wanted to be honest with you. Okay?”

“Okay, Sweetheart.” His million questions could wait. He didn’t want her upset.

“So – so can you be honest with me?” That look wasn’t going away.

“I – okay.” Here we go.

“Why did you tell me you didn’t know Cat?”

“My job, Sweetheart. I couldn’t tell you my name or where I was from or anything about my family. I’m sorry, but that’s because of my job.”

“But, but you gave me this ring.”

“I didn’t want to lose you, Sweetheart. I didn’t want to let you go. It was the only way I could think of to keep you in my life.”

“It wasn’t just because of what happened in my painting?”

“Not just because of that.” He drew her up closer to his face. “But you don’t understand what happened to me because of your paintings.”

“What, David?”

“Your paintings make me know there is a God who cares about me. Your paintings have changed my life. And I love you for that, and I love you for you.”

***

Debbie was sound asleep in his arms.

There was a rustling at the sliding door to the balcony. He remembered he’d forgotten to shut the door, and the curtain tossed in the sea breeze. Out of the corner of his eye he saw it was not only the curtain – it was a human form in dark clothes. In one quick motion he found his gun and shot.

The loud pop woke Debbie with a start. “David!” He rolled her off the bed and under it.

“Shh. Quiet, Sweetheart. Stay right here. Don’t move.”

There was silence. He crawled to the end of the bed. The figure was on the floor and not moving. A gun lay beside the body. He advanced to take the gun, and confirm the assailant was dead. He shut the door and locked it, then drew the drapes shut. He quickly determined there was no one else in their suite.

When he shed some light on the subject, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Terror enveloped him, and he ran for Debbie.

He found her clothes, and ushered her into the bathroom. “Sweetheart, I need you to get dressed quickly. Wait here until I come for you.”

He shut the door and called Eduardo. “I need to get Debbie out of here now. I just shot Z. I don’t know what he’s doing here, but it’s him, and he was here to kill us. I’m getting out of here with Debbie.”

“David!” Eduardo roared into his ear. “Stay right there. I’ve got Cookie with me, and we’re on the way. We’ll pick you up on the beach.”

“I can’t let anything happen to her.” He wheezed into the phone.

“Don’t worry, David. We’ll be right there. I’ll take care of everything.”

He grabbed his backpack and jammed their most necessary supplies into it.

Debbie

When David came to get me out of the bathroom he was dressed in dark clothes, and his backpack was slung over his shoulder. I’d dressed in the dark jeans, tee shirt and sneakers he’d given me. He helped me into my black sweatshirt.

“Sweetheart, we need to get down to the beach. Eduardo will be here shortly to pick us up. We’re going to go through the door and right down the stairs. If you’re too tired, I’ll carry you.”

“Oh, no, David, I’m fine.”

“Okay, just let me know if you get tired, and I can carry you. The important thing is to leave quickly and quietly. Okay?”

“Oh yes.”

We left the bathroom, and I gasped when I saw the man on the floor missing the top of his head. David quickly shielded me, then checked the hallway, while I had to turn back and see brains and blood everywhere. I wished I hadn’t eaten dinner. He pulled me out the door, and we were down the stairs in no time. We headed to the beach. How could Eduardo pick us up on the beach?