Shadow Lover (Siren Publishing Allure) (16 page)

With compassion in his flashing blue eyes, he asked, "Are you all right, Ms. Marsh?"

"Y-yes," she whispered with a trembling voice.

As he reached out to help her up from the bed, he was violently grabbed from behind.

"You sorry scarred up freak, get your hands off her."

Kirk turned and backhanded Quinn, sending him reeling.

Quinn looked up at Kirk with his mouth bleeding. "What's the matter, Frankenstein. Afraid I won't leave any for you?"

"Shut your filthy mouth, Quinn, and get out of here."

"Don't tell me what to do, you ugly monster. Why in hell don't you go back down to your stinking dungeon and die."

Kirk stalked toward Quinn, his scarred face full of fury. He grabbed Quinn by the front of his shirt and pushed him backwards through the door.

Quinn stumbled, hitting the corridor wall with a thud. "You son of a bitch. You think she's gonna look at you, with that face? What's the matter? You think
ugly
turns her on?" He pulled himself up, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Well, good luck, Frankenstein, you're gonna need it." Quinn turned away laughing, his laughter echoing down the dark corridor.

Kirk turned toward Chyna. When he saw her curious eyes raking over his grotesque face he quickly turned away, allowing only the undamaged part to show.

She was speechless as she sat there and stared. It was the first time she had ever seen him outside his draping shadows, and somehow her tongue wouldn’t move. It wasn’t fright, but surprise that closed her mouth. His hair was dark and long like Quinn’s, and he was built slightly huskier than Quinn’s slim frame. Being careful not to scare him away, she rose from the bed gently, and hesitantly walked over to him. Very carefully, she reached out and touched his arm.

"Don't hide your scars from me, Kirk," she whispered.

It was getting late, and the room had deepened in shadow, but none surrounded him. He stared straight ahead, his face rigid, his handsome profile etched against the deepening darkness. You would never know what was on the other side until he turned, then the full horror of his face would leap out at you, ripping a scream from your throat.

“I don’t want to scare you, Ms. Marsh,” he said softly. “I’ll go now.”

“No, please,” she pleaded, reaching out to him ever so gently. When he reluctantly faced her, her breath caught in her throat, and his eyes lowered in shame.

She slowly lifted her hands and stroked the monstrous face, imagining the handsome features that lurked beneath the puckering scars. It was so unfair. Why had they been so horribly ripped away? She looked again at the lush, succulent lips, and could only imagine what it would be like to be kissed by them. His eyes were a compassionate blue, and his lashes thickly fringed. His dark hair was tousled on top, dropping down along his forehead just above his deeply arched brows. As she continued to stroke him, she saw that his eyes were boldly searching her face, clearly admiring the curve of her full, sensuous mouth, the look in her bewitching eyes, and the dark, thin wings of her brows.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"But you already…"

"No. For what you were thinking." Her eyes shifted along his face until they reached his lips where she boldly reached up and gave him a light peck on his mouth. Her face showed surprise when he jerked away, suddenly angry.

"What are you, some kind of pervert? You want to kiss a monster?"

"But Kirk, I only wanted…"

"Oh, I know. You wanted to give the poor disgusting freak a thrill. Well, Ms. Marsh, I don't need your handouts. Sorry if I disturbed your little rendezvous with Quinn. I'll watch it from now on."

Kirk saw the tears gathering in her eyes, but he couldn't stop. He had to fight against the attraction he felt for her, otherwise his heart would break beyond repair. He turned quickly and fled to the basement. His bell tower—his sewer—his dungeon—his home.

* * * *

The next morning at the breakfast table Chyna noticed Quinn fingering a small Band-Aid at the corner of his mouth where Kirk had hit him. “Quinn, I didn’t mean for you to get hurt, but I’m sure as hell not going to apologize for it.”

“Didn’t you? Well, it doesn’t matter, it’s behind us. Besides, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise? For me?”

“Yes. One I think you’ll like.”

“But, why?”

“You could call it a peace offering.”

She lowered her head as the guilt went deeper. Finally she looked up. “Quinn, that really wasn’t necessary.”

“Yes, it is. It’s very necessary. I got out of line, and you deserve…well, It’ll make me feel better anyway to make amends.” He indicated to her plate. “As soon as you’re finished, I’ll give it to you.”

Suddenly the food tasted like cardboard, but Chyna kept eating, aware that his eyes were on her. After forcing down a few more bites she finally pushed her plate away. That seemed to be Quinn’s cue. He blotted his lips, pushed his chair back, and threw down his napkin.

“If you’re through, would you come with me?”

Without saying anything, Chyna rose and went with him to the front door. Before opening it, Quinn stopped, turned to her, and spoke softly. “It’s just beyond the door.”

Chyna frowned, then walked hesitantly around him and opened it. When she saw her car she looked back at him, her mouth hanging open.

He smiled, jingling a pair of keys before her eyes. When she only stared at the dangling keys, he took her hand, turned her palm upward and laid the mass of metal in it.

“My car,” she said, her voice soft with wonder and amazement. “I thought it had been demolished.”

“Actually it wasn’t too bad. I took it to my mechanic, and he put all his men on it.”

“How bad was it?”

“Just a lot of broken glass, a few scrapes, flat tires. The engine hadn’t been touched, though. Jake tells me it’s as good as new.”

She turned and looked at Quinn, amazement still swimming in her eyes. “Quinn, I just can’t believe this. Of course I’ll reimburse you.”

“Nonsense,” he said, indicating back at the car. “On the back seat you’ll find a lot of your clothes. Almost everything was ripped up beyond repair, but I managed to find some things. I hope it’s enough.”

Chyna shook her head, and smiled. She felt as if her world was at last coming together again. “Quinn, I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything. I owed you this, and so much more.”

“But this is—”

“Chyna.” He hesitated, a frown bringing his eyebrows together. “I really made an ass of myself in your room yesterday. I was angry, childish, acted a little crazy, I know.” He chuckled softly. “Well, when I cooled off I was totally embarrassed.” He indicated to her head. “You’re much better now, and I know you’d probably like to get out of here as quick as possible, but I do wish you would consider staying. I mean, there’s no use in putting all that expense out on hotel bills when you can stay here for free. At least for a while. Now that you have your car, you’ll have a little more freedom, and I promise I’ll start acting like an adult instead of a child having a temper tantrum. I’ve also—”

“Quinn—”

He lifted a hand to stop her. “I have more good news. Our phone is working again, so you can make all the calls you want.”

“Well, I am happy about the phones, and I’ll think about the rest.”

He smiled. “That’s all I ask.”

When he turned to leave, Chyna watched him go, noticing how much more attractive Quinn was when he acted like a human being, and wasn’t trying to force himself on her.

After taking her clothes up to her room, Chyna went into the kitchen and saw Elaine preparing Kirk's breakfast tray.

"Elaine, may I carry that down to Kirk?”

"Chyna, if it were up to me, of course you could, but Quinn would cry bloody murder if I let you do that. I'm really sorry, but it would be my neck in the noose."

Remembering how different Quinn seemed to be now, she almost insisted, but didn’t want to press the issue in case it was all an act. "It's okay, I understand. I certainly wouldn't want you to get in trouble with Quinn." She quickly took something from her pocket and looked at her with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "You wouldn't object to this, would you?" She lifted a folded note and placed it halfway under the plate.

Elaine Looked down at the small square of paper sticking out, looked up at Chyna's pleading eyes and said, "I didn’t hear him say a thing about notes, did you?"

Chyna winked. "Thanks, chum." She turned to go, then turned and asked Elaine, "Hey is it okay if I use the phone in the study?"

"Sure."

Chyna quickly walked to the study, closed the door quietly behind her, and dialed Joni's number.

"Take it away, Leon."

"Well, I see you didn't get blown away."

"Oh, my God, where have you been? I've been going crazy trying to find you. Do you know what the question of the century is? ‘Where’s Chyna Marsh?’ It’s on every TV station, in every magazine…cripes, it’s the only thing anyone is talking about. Your books are flying off the book store shelves, and every juicy piece of news has been shifted to the back page of the paper in favor of your disappearance. Believe me, kiddo that ain’t easy to do. As for myself I just knew you’d been blown completely off the face of the earth."

"Joni, would you quit babbling long enough for me to tell you what’s happened to me?"

"Sure, but first, have you seen your house?"

"Have I ever. Just listen to this…"

Chyna told Joni everything, and Joni followed the story with, "Are you okay?”

“Good as new.”

“Then why the hell are you still there?”

“Well, I was recuperating part of the time, but the real reason I’m still here is because of Kirk Grayson."

"What’s a Kirk Grayson?”

“Oh, Joni,” Chyna said, her words sounding like a breathy teenager in love. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. Actually I think I’m—” She hesitated for a moment before going on. “Oh, God, I think I’m falling in love.”

“Steady girl, this could be serious."

“Joni, you’ve never heard me say anything like that before, have you?”

“Not about a real live man. He is alive, isn’t he?”

“Joni, please, don’t start that again.”

“I’m just sayin’—”

“Joni, he’s all I ever think about. He’s…well, it’s just so complicated. I know I should leave, but I just can’t right now. I know if I go I’ll never see him again.”

“Chyna, by this time you must be wearing out your welcome.”

“Actually, I was invited to stay. Just today in fact. And you know what? I think I might. At least for a while. You know, just to see what happens.”

“Chyna if this guy feels the same way, he’ll come after you.”

“Under normal circumstances, yes.”

“Normal circumstances?” she repeated.

“Well, there’s a problem.” Just then Chyna heard a noise out in the foyer and whispered into the mouthpiece.

“Joni, I think I’m going to have to hang up.”

“Wait,” Joni said, scratching for a pen and paper. “What’s your number up there?”

"Sorry, I don't know. Just call the operator and ask for the Grayson residence up at Cat's Paw. Bye."

* * * *

Elaine opened the barred door and took Kirk's breakfast in to him. Looking toward his bed, she saw him lying down with a bandaged wrist up over his eyes.

He didn't move.

"Kirk."

Still no movement.

She lifted her voice, "Kirk!"

He was deathly still, and Elaine couldn't hear him breathing.

She clanked the tray down loudly and ran to him. "Oh, my God! Kirk!" She yelled.

He lifted his head off the pillow and looked toward her. "What in hell do you want? Will you stop screaming?"

"God, Kirk. You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Get out," he said, getting up.

"What are you so grumpy about?"

"Should I show it to you?"

"You mean your face? It's been that way for ten years. Why are you all of a sudden so unhappy about it now?"

"Wouldn't you be?"

"I just mean that since Chyna's been here, you've been more irritable and unhappy with yourself than usual."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Get out and let me eat my breakfast in peace."

"You know, you've been so mean to her, I don't know why she even cares."

He jerked his head around. "What did you say?"

"Just now?"

"Yes."

"I said you've been so mean—"

"No, after that."

She looked at him, trying to remember her exact words. “I don’t know why she—"

"She cares?” he finished for her. “About me?"

"Well…yeah."

"Really? How do you know? Did she say so?"