Page 10

10

LOURDES

‘Styx’

Not sure how, but feel like I’m on fire. Something heavy is around my hips and it feels like someone or something is blowing into my ear. I try to shift, but whatever is holding my waist won’t let go. Before I can say a word, one of those hands shifts downward over my ass cheeks and squeezes two times before that appendage covers my cheek. As my head clears, it dawns on me I’m in bed with Jeremiah yet again.

I continue to shift so I can get off the bed and go to the bathroom as my bladder is singing, and not softly. When I manage to get off the bed, I stand carefully and immediately take off for the restroom. When finished, I use the toothbrush on the counter and then again grab the big comb to try and calm down my hair that looks like a tumbleweed. When I look into the mirror my eyes are swollen and have bags under them. My mouth turns up because Miah is using that same nickname he used before when we were together. He told me because of the color of my eyes, since they are a purplish color, that’s why he calls me “Violet.” I throw cold water on my eyes to try and help with the swelling. Usually, if I was home, I’d grab my eye mask out of the freezer and wear it while getting my coffee ready. I look around and then open one of the built-in cabinets and find some washcloths, so I grab one and put it under cold water. Then I put it on my eyes, even though it’s freezing. Once the cloth starts to warm, I put it back under the water and once cold again, put it on my eyes. After a few times I hang the washcloth on the hook in the wet area of the bathroom, which has an awesome standalone tub and huge-ass shower. Probably could fit at least four or so people in there. Well, guess my face looks a little better, but who am I trying to kid? I’m a total damn wreck.

Making my way to the kitchen, I stop for a second to try to get familiar with Jeremiah’s hub of his house. It’s spotless, so I wonder if anyone even cooks in this masterpiece. It’s beige and wood, so very warm and inviting. Top cabinets are a warm beige while the bottom and island are some kind of wood. Together it’s stunning. His counters are just gorgeous. He has a lighter color on the cabinets while the island is made of partial stone and the other half is butcher block. He must have had a designer put this all together. I don’t see a coffeepot or Keurig so I continue to walk. When I go to what I think is a hallway, it turns out to be a butler’s pantry and all of his small appliances are in here on a huge, long counter. So I make my way toward the end and look at three different types of coffee makers. Figuring he’s going to want coffee also; I do my best to get a pot started. Hearing noise coming my way, I turn just in time to see a woman who’s quite a bit older than me, arms full, walking toward me, head down.

“Hi.”

After my greeting her head pops up and she lets out a scream, while dropping everything in her arms. Shit, didn’t mean to startle or scare her. Before I can approach her, she has a phone in her hands and eyes to me.

“Don’t move, miss, I’m calling 9-1-1. Don’t know how you got past Mr. Zeon’s security, but the police will be able to figure it out. Please stay right there, don’t make me pull out my Taser.”

Hearing what she said, I can’t help but smile a little. She reminds me of someone’s gramma or auntie, and the thought of her having a Taser just makes me want to laugh out loud. Until I hear her on the phone with 9-1-1.

“Yes, miss, we have a situation at the Zeon home. Yes, that’s right, Jeremiah Zeon. What? I have no idea who Lourdes is, I have a problem with a break-in. The woman is in the coffee room making herself a pot of coffee from the looks of it. No, I don’t know her name, why would I ask a criminal for their name?”

I hear the footsteps before the woman does. So when Jeremiah comes into view, I see his eyes looking around until he walks farther into the kitchen and catches a glimpse of me before he hears what the woman is saying.

“Goddamn it, Lucille, hang up. No, tell them you made a mistake then hang up.”

She looks from Jeremiah to me and back. A huge sigh comes from her when she apologizes for any inconvenience and that her boss just informed her the woman did not break into his home.

“Lucille, didn’t you get the text I sent early this morning? I wanted to give you a heads-up about Lourdes being here. Guess better late than never. Sorry, Lourdes, meet the woman who runs this home with Beatrice. Lucille was my nanny and now she keeps my home looking beautiful.”

I raise my hand while slowly approaching Lucille. She’s a tiny thing but has strength in her hand as she shakes mine. I see her checking me out, which I totally understand. She’s known Jeremiah forever and probably makes sure nothing can hurt him.

“Miss Lourdes, I’m so sorry for assuming the worst. I know that it would be difficult for someone to get into this home.”

I hear Jeremiah clear his throat.

“Well, Lucille, now I doubt anyone will be able to get in. There’s a reason why Lourdes is here. My God, is that coffee I smell? Damn, not sure which one of you started it, but I could use a cup or gallon of that to get my day started.”

“Jeremiah, why don’t you take Miss Lourdes out to the patio. I’ll get the coffee to you both then start on some breakfast. How do you like your coffee, miss?”

I look to Jeremiah first then back at Lucille, smiling slightly.

“First, please call me just Lourdes. Second, I like it extra Boston, or lots of cream a little coffee.”

For the first time since she walked in, Lucille smiles at me, right before Jeremiah grabs my elbow, leading me out to the massive patio off the kitchen.

“Sorry about that. I did text her but Lucille is more old-school. Should have thought about that. Probably an email or voicemail would have worked better. So how did you sleep? I reached out for you in bed but your side was empty. How did you get away from me?”

“Well, you didn’t make it easy, Jeremiah. Those tree-trunk arms and legs of yours felt like raising a ton each time while I fought off your advances. Honestly, I almost woke you up because I thought my bladder was going to burst but, somehow, I managed to shift and shimmy my way off the bed and away from your octopus arms.”

JEREMIAH

‘Miah’

Watching her laugh has me chuckling right alongside of her. Out of my peripheral, I see Lucille’s eyes open wide, watching us. I get it, as I’m not the most demonstrative person out there. That makes me remember the times I had given Lucille a hug and there are many. Oh well, whatever.

Just as I get comfortable, both my cell and the front gate alert. Jesus, what the hell is going on? Lucille goes for the front gate so I grab my cell, answering it without looking at it.

“Hello, you have Jeremiah Zeon, how may I help you?”

“Well, you nosy fucker, you can let my girl go before I have to go to extremes to get her back. She’s mine not yours, you prick.”

Realizing this is the crazy asshole messing with Lourdes, I try to think of anything to keep this dick’s interest, though the way he’s going on, I might only need to grunt here and there.

I hear footsteps and turn around while Lucille leads in Nova and Mayhem. My cleaning lady looks beyond flustered and that’s when I notice the blushed cheeks. I look over her head to see Nova pointing a finger at Mayhem, who’s trying really fuckin’ hard not to burst out in laughter. Great, guess the big man is feeling good today. I raise a finger, pointing to the phone then at Lourdes, who has been watching with huge, alarmed eyes. My ears are bleeding listening to this moron, but need to get a baseline on why he’s doing what he’s doing. Then I hear him say something that has the hair on the back of my neck standing up.

“The great Jeremiah Zeon, who did our town a big favor building his skyscraper here. Well, for some reason that damn eyesore didn’t burn the way it was supposed to. That asshole who was supposed to help me turned into a pain in my ass, whining about getting caught and shit. Don’t think he spread the accelerant correctly, so that’s why the building didn’t burn to the ground. I believe your muscle has the gift I sent to Lourdes. She seems like a smart bitch, hopefully, she’ll see you for who and what you are and dump your ass. Then she’ll see me, a real man, and the rest will be history.”

I’m watching as Nova motions for Mayhem to put a box on the island. After hearing this jagoff, when I glance at the box, my brain tells me it’s something that’s going to fuck with her.

“Tell me, why are you doing all of this? For a crush on a firefighter who has no interest? Or because a man made something of himself and you want what he worked for, even though you’ve not raised a hand? Whichever it is, I hope you realize how fucking ridiculous and crazy you are.”

Nothing for a bit, just his hard breathing. Lourdes has stepped closer so I raise an arm for her to step under it. Mayhem and Nova have moved toward the table, as Lucille places a carafe of what I hope to Christ is coffee, and all of the stuff you can put into your Joe already on the table. Then I get a feeling coming off the cell before he starts up again.

“Did you call me ridiculous? Well, we are going to see who’s better than the other. Hey, Jeremiah, ask Nova how he’s doing without the wifey. I still get hard when I think of her screaming. Do me a favor, make sure to tell him that then move fast, so he don’t take you down. We’ll talk again real soon. Tell Lourdes hi and give her a nice wet kiss from me.”

The cell disconnects and instantly my eyes go to Nova, whose head is down. He must have told someone to cut into my phone so he could hear the conversation. Now I know he lost his wife and mother of their children a few years ago. The story goes, it was a case that went horribly wrong. That’s all I know, but the look on his face says there’s way more to the story. Mayhem squeezes Nova’s shoulder then makes his way to both of us, giving his friend and boss some time.

“Hey, did either of you recognize the voice? Jeremiah, seems like his attention is mainly on you and his interest in Lourdes is because of you, though I might be wrong. As we all know, I’m not a psychologist or psychiatrist.”

The three of us chuckle at that thought. Nova finally joins us, even though you can see how much what he heard on that call bothers him. I look to Lourdes and barely shake my head, but she gets what I’m trying to let her know. Don’t question Nova about his wife.

“It seems our perpetrator knows something about all of us, so he’s done his homework. Unfortunately, we can’t because we don’t know who the bastard is. Shit, Lourdes, this box was delivered to your home. Mayhem intercepted it. We took it to my office to make sure there was nothing to hurt you in it. So here, put on these gloves, and if you don’t mind opening it. Mayhem will record you.”

He goes and grabs the box and brings it to Lourdes at the table. Everyone is sitting so I stand beside her and look at the long rectangle box. I look at it, not recognizing the handwriting. Kind of messy and looks like it was rushed. No return address, though stamped in town. Slowly, Lourdes tries to rip it open but way too much tape. That pops a memory in my head, though it’s fleeting, and is gone before I can ever catch it. Nova hands me a pocketknife, which I use to cut through the tape for her. She pulls on the sides to open the box. Reaching in, Lourdes takes out something like a basket. I watch, the more she pulls out the more it looks like a wire basket. Inside are what looks to be a ton of pictures. Grabbing a handful, I instantly get hot then cold. They’re photos of everyone at the firehouse. Chief, Lil Man, Paco, Danny, Lourdes, Rome, and Till. A few of unknown this asshole caught too. The next handful are all of me. Some of me alone, at home, in my office here and away. Then more photos of, holy shit, I drop that handful so fast it’s like they are on fire before I realize what they are, so I drop to my knees to pick them up as someone knocks on the door. Lucille walks that way and in the next few seconds I hear some of Lourdes’s firehouse brothers walking in. When Lil Man sees me on my knees, he instantly comes over to help. That’s when I lose it.

“No, don’t fucking touch them, Lil Man. I’ll get them.”

“What the hell, Fat Cat, they’re just some pictures. Here look at …”

His eyes pop open and I can see as he starts to comprehend what he’s looking at. His face seems to get red, but he quickly starts gathering the pictures on the floor. When the rest of the guys get closer Lil Man snarls, which has them giving him a look. Well, until he picks up a photo turns it over, and I watch his mouth fall open. Seeing his reaction, he must figure out that the two of us are as shocked as he is. Then without the others in the room having any idea what photos we are retrieving, the three of us quickly gather and pick them up, putting them in a brown bag that Lucille hands to me.

I put my ass on my calves, hands on my thighs, and try to figure out how someone got those kinds of photos of Lourdes and me from that weekend a few months back. When it hits me, I fucking see red. I point to Lil Man.

“Hey, can you give me a hand with something? Need to do a thorough search of my bedroom for any devices.”

Lil Man nods then looks at me with big eyes. I stare back, not showing anything because if the roles were reversed and we found Lil Man and someone in those photos, I would never even think to go down the road he’s trying to. I mouth “none of your business” just as Lourdes whispers in my ear.

“You just gave him what he wanted. Never reveal your hand to anyone.”

Lil Man is chuckling as he follows me up the stairs. I try to maintain my cool and stay kind of stuck in my head confused, and not having any idea what is going to come next, which with the way my days have been going is starting to make this crazy- ass shit feel normal. That in itself has me worrying the worst is yet to come.