More Than Darkness
23
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This is a crossover smutty story featuring the character of
Tess/Salida ie Tess' Voice in Neon Dasies' OUATIM fics on ff.net, More Than
Eyes Alone Can See, and More Than Life,
and Sands/Jeffrey from Merrie's OUATIM fic on ff.net, Darkness Rising. This
story will make some sense, probably, if you read it without having read either
of our stories, but it'll make a hell of a lot more if you just read them.
They're all worth reading, we promise. Anyway, on with the show.
Rated for what has happened, and what might happen.
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Jeffrey awoke to a haze of pain.
specifically something with his hand, but he wasn’t awake enough to remember
what that was. He reached over to
examine it with his other hand, and he let out a loud curse as the pain became
more bright and sharp under his probing fingers.
illness, fucking breaking his hand on the wall of the elevator, and Sands’
marriage. It was that final remembrance
that caused him to sit up in the bed suddenly, clutching his broken hand to his
chest. It was screaming at him now that
the painkillers had worn off during his sleep, but for the moment he put it out
of his mind. I’ve got fucking more important things to worry about, he
wedding ring on his uninjured hand. He
was still glaring at it when he felt Salida stir.
“What’s wrong?” she
asked in a voice that was still low and harsh from sleep.
missed the fierce scowl on her husband’s face.
“What’s fucking
bothering me is this fucking piece of metal on my finger,” he grit out between
clenched teeth. It didn’t matter that it
was technically on Sands’ finger since his own were currently bound in metal
and plaster; it was still there, glinting in the morning sunlight, mocking him.
Did they have to use metal to set his hand?
all she wanted was to go back to sleep. “Well,
if you hadn’t found it necessary to punch a wall,” she started as her hand
reached out and tried to pull him back down beside her.
Jeffrey looked at
her as if she had sprouted another head.
piece of shit ring,” he proffered his right hand in her direction with a
violent gesture after shrugging off her attempt to pull him back down onto the
bed.
Salida groaned,
finally remembering what he was talking about and not happy that she had to
deal with an irate Jeffrey. Sht upt up
to better reason with him, once again groaning as all the blood rushed from her
head and into what felt like her stomach.
Folding over her knees, she waited for the room to stop spinning and
prayed that the nausea of the past two days wouldn’t return.
It did.
Frustrated beyond
belief, not wanting to deal with anything at all, but knowing she had to, she
asked in a too-patient voice, “And why exactly are you in such a shitty mood
over this?”
“I just fucking am.
He had no fucking right to fucking do
that without telling me!” Jeffrey seethed, too pissed off to realize how
hypocritical that sounded.
“Jeffrey, we did
the exact same thing to him,” Salida pointed out, trying desperately to keep
all emotion out of her voice. If she
didn’t, she’d start attacking him out of her own shitty mood, and she didn’t
want to get into a fight right now. “And
before you complain again, it’s not like he covered your ring, now is it?”
Jeffrey’s eyes
glanced down at his own broken hand, thankful to see that his stupidity had
left the ring intact. His eyes then
moved to his right hand – Sands’ hand – and saw where he had placed the ring.
a rather unconventional way, but his rage refused to be abated.
discomfort and irritation. “He probably
just put it there because he knew what I would have fucking done to him if he
hadn’t, not out of any fucking consideration.
up something about how his and kitty’s marriage is legal and ours isn’t. Just
wait,” he seethed, his breath starting to quicken in his rage.
“If you don’t press glare on her. “Don’t fucking tell me “I’m telling you “Fuck that. “No.” “What-what do you “I mean that I will Jeffrey wanted to Salida simply shook Pulling herself out And Jeffrey decided ****************************** As soon as Jeffrey set his eyes upon Aida’s sleeping form in Aida merely groaned Jeffrey scowled and “And I don’t like Jeffrey had had She yelped as she “Well that bastard His callousness lit Jeffrey hissed in Unfortunately for “Don’t even fucking “What the fuck do “I’m teaching this Aida scrambled away Jeffrey’s eyes “Fuck you, Jeffrey,” “You fucking Aida just sort of Sands didn’t know “Why don’t you ask Sands was saved Salida rolled her “Oh this is far “I wasn’t going to “Maybe if she hadn’t “No one’s fucking “You’re right, Once she was sure Aida watched “Don’t thank me, Both men stared at “Just because you Salida shook her Rinsing her mouth “Are you okay?” < sty style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Salida turned her Aida shook her Moving the dresser “What? “Are you alright?” “I’m fine. Jeffrey only heard “Yeah, and that’s “No you won’t. “Don’t you even get “Fine, be fucking “I “And I wasn’t Jeffrey looked up Salida nodded, and “Don’t be sorry,” “Not as sorry as Jeffrey sighed. “Do you want me to “This is my fucking Salida smiled “No. “Ok,” she breathed, “Well isn’t this “Fuck you, Sands,” “No, you didn’t. Salida clenched her “What do you want “You’re asking me? “Fuck you, you Salida’s first Taking a deep “Come again?” Sands “You get one swing “How charming. “No. “You’re a real Salida swallowed Jeffrey couldn’t “You had something “Better to take a Just the thought of Salida laid at the Once she was sure Still keeping her Turning back to “Alright,” Sands “Jeffrey? “Why?” he asked so “Please, remember “No. No, she couldn’t “Why should I?” he “Jeffrey?” she “There’s nothing “Our deal, sunrise,” Salida quickly made Sands was Aida, despite her “Sands, wait.” “I know, but I’m “No,” she “I have to,” he Aida watched “Yes I am. “Then kiss me at Sands looked wary, Aida rose up on her Sands had tried to Aida pressed her At first he gave in However, Salida was “You’re not going “No.” “There’s nothing Salida shook her “No,” Sands said “Well then I Sands was about to “What?” he hissed, Taking his hand in “I don’t fucking “I won’t interfere,” “But you won’t let Aida nodded. Sands tried, albeit “I will. She nodded and “Fine, whatever. ****************************** Salida kept her mouth shut through the long taxi ride, not As the taxi pulled “Are you just going “What do you want “Well you did kind “Are you going to “No. Salida buckled her “No. When?” he “After our first “Why are you “I don’t know. Sands shifted in “I know he’s not “No it wouldn’t. “Thank you,” she “If you say so,” he “I think he wanted “Fine. “That’s too bad,” But it was still ****************************** “Home sweet home,” Sands said dryly, stepping into his Salida didn’t “It would seem so,” “Where the fuck are “Well, it’s about “Home is in “Fuck you,” Sands “What?” Jeffrey She shrugged, but < sty style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Fuck you. “Maybe I decided it “Why would anything “You call me a “You’re a fucking Salida winced and n stn style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “Don’t test me, “Well the feeling’s “Why should I? Jeffrey didn’t “Oh real smart, Salida heard the “ Unwillingly, she “What the fuck is Jeffrey didn’t say “What do you think “Fuck you. “And how am I “Why the fuck not? “Then let me “Then get out. She nodded, and “Aww your fucking “I haven’t. “But you haven’t The knowledge that Sands could feel a The struggle that After several “Oh fuck,” Jeffrey Salida’s huddled “Who the fuck are “I’m Tess. “No, I don’t “Disinterested,” “No, she’s not. “That’s not what I “She’s what?” “She’s not there “I suppose . . . “What do you mean, “Fucking grieving “For you,” Tess “If there’s anyone “Oh fuck you. Tess just shook her “And I can’t imagine Tess simply “Fuck you,” Jeffrey Sands on the other “No, she won’t. “She wouldn’t. She n stn style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Tessa’s eyes “Vixen! The only response Yet his words “You were right,” “What? “I was wrong . . . Jeffrey closed his “Doesn’t matter,” es'> “Sands has a Salida smiled “You’re fucking “Three of us,” Salida nodded, “We’ll have to go “If there’s “Later,” Salida “Are we?” Jeffrey “For now at least,” “Stop your fucking whining. “Stop,” Salida “Fine.” “We’re fucking Salida shook her “What the fuck was “I’m fine. “Fuck. She shook her “If you’re sure you’re Salida knew she “Alright. “That’ll probably After the men got cleaned up as best they could, they On the sixth ring, “Who else would it “What do you mean It’s where I’m from. “And you’re “Er, I’m alive. “I don’t know. “Well, I “And you shall have “Love you too. “Wouldn’t want She nodded. “You kidding? “We’re fucking “Then let’s just go Sands opened his Salida “You haven’t seen “Oh fuck you. “The one you like “Let’s just go down “Fine.” Salida stayed quiet “That row over “Yes, he fucking Salida’s mouth made “The Porsche?” Salida climbed in “Fuck detection. “I fucking told She wondered how he’d “Well, where do you “I don’t care. “Do you want to see “Sure.” “Fine,” was all
the matter, he probably won’t either.”
Salida’s words were growing more and more clipped by the moment as more
and more of her focus went to her unruly stomach.
got married? Something about committing
fraud?>
>
that you’d take his side?”
that it’s not worth the nuclear explosion that will result if you start in on
this, Jeffrey. I love you and none –
honestly don’t think I could deal with that right now.”
and see if I can’t straighten all of this out,” he said, swinging his legs off
of the bed. That he was going to
straighten Aida herself out was left unsaid, but he was definitely considering
that as well.
strength to make Jeffrey pause. “You are
not going to go pick a fight with
Sands’ wife.” Salida deliberately used
that word to stress the seriousness of their situation.
under control.” She could tell that he
wasn’t taking her seriously. “I swear to
you, lover, that if you go through that door, you will be facing a week of very
long, very lonely, and very painful nights.
Do you hear me?”
mean?” Jeffrey turned to ask her, his eyes narrowing.
tell Sands and Aida to take the days to be together, and that I want the nights
with you. But you will be here, I will
be at the house, and you will not have any pain killers.”
at him. “It won’t be a picnic for me
either, but I’m serious when I say that I can’t deal with any shit you start
with Sands and Aida. So either come sit
your ass down on the fucking bed, or try my patience.”
argue, but he was smart enough to know when he had been beaten.
wouldn’t let the matter drop entirely. “Fine,”
he seethed moving to cross his legs under him, trying to ignore the want to
pace in his frustration.
her head. He was cooperating for now,
but she could tell he was pissed at her.
Let him be pissed, she thought
grumpily.
of bed, she walked to the doors of the balcony and let herself outside.
on it. Taking a seat in one of the
chairs, she curled up and closed her eyes, resting her forehead on her
knees. Tg slg slow, measured breaths,
she waited for all her disturbing emotions and feelings to pass.
started to doze off.
that what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
Sands bed – and more importantly the ring which he almost smirked to notice was
on her left hand – his rage was set aflame instantly.
enough for Aida to hear, but not Salida from her place on the balcony.
and rolled over onto her stomach, pulling the covers up over her head.
this.
grabbed the sheets at the foot of the bed and yanked them off of her and on to
the floor with a single movement. “I do
addressed her back coldly.
being called a bitch, so I suppose we’re even.”
She reached over and grabbed a pillow, pulling it over her head.
enough. Rather than take the pillow away
from her, he walked over the edge of the bed and using his right hand and
shoulder for leverage, he lifted up the mattress and dumped a clearly incensed
Aida off the side and onto the floor. “Get
up, kitty. We have a lot to fucking talk
about.”
hit the floor, then sat up. Her hair was
in her face, and she was sore, and her head was now pounding, but she wasn’t
about to back down. “I wasn’t aware that
we had anything to talk about.
Personally, I think this is a matter for you and Sands to deal with.”
isn’t fucking here. You are,” he said with a dark scowl.
have eventually just given up on his sad, pathetic life and I would have been
in control. Did you fucking know that?”
he asked, beginning to pace the room quickly, talking and glaring at her as he
went. “But then you had to stick your
nose in. At first you were just another
fucking piece of tail, and I knew that Sands would kill you eventually.
alive, but it must have been something pretty fucking special, youkingking
whore.”
a protective fire inside her, and she was purposefully offensive in
return. “No more special than what your
way, and she deftly grabbed Jeffrey’s arm.
With a grunt of effort, she flipped him onto the bed, then backed away.
pain, but was somewhat thankful she had stopped him from slapping her.
swinging his own, broken hand at her face without thinking, and the impact
would have been intensely fucking painful.
toward her. “You’re going to pay for
that, you fucking bitch,” he growled, moving even closer to her, enjoying the
sight of her backing away.
him, she knew exactly where she was backing too.
the nightstand on Sands’ side of the bed, she twirled and pulled out the
gun. Unfortunately for her, Jeffrey took
his chance as her back was turned. Just
as her fingers closed around the butt of the gun, Jeffrey grabbed her around
the waist and it was her turn to take a spill on the now completely
disassembled bed.
try, you fucking bitch,” he said coldly, straddling her legs and wrenching the
gun from her hand and sticking it in the waistband of his pants at the small of
his back. He was about to start beating
the shit out of her on principle when he tensed.
you think you’re doing?!” Sands asked coldly, throwing himself off her and
standing at the side of the bed.
fucking bitch a lesson,” Jeffrey responded just as coldly, moving toward her
again.
while she could, standing uncertainly by the door.
followed her movement. “Don’t go far,
kitty. I’ll be through with your darling
husband in a moment,” he said with a sardonic grin.
Sands said, jabbing forcefully at Jeffrey’s broken fingers.
from his and Jeffrey’s mouth was mutual as he felt the intense pain as well,
but he felt justified in causing even just a little of the pain Jeffrey had
caused him when he had broken his finger.
bastard!” Jeffrey screamed, lunging at Aida in his rage.
personally without hurting himself, he focused his anger on Aida instead.
froze as she watched Jeffrey come towards her.
She didn’t even notice when a strong hand wrapped around her elbow and
pulled her out of the way.
whether to be relieved or worried to see Salida, but relief overtook him as she
managed to keep Aida out of Jeffrey’s reach for the moment.
sunrise?” Sands asked warily, thankful that the sight of her seemed to be
keeping Jeffrey from doing anything further for the moment.
Jeffrey? He seems to know what’s best at
the moment.” Salida was trying very hard
to keep her voice under control, otherwise she’d start raging at her husband,
and that wouldn’t be good for anyone.
from having to talk to Jeffrey – which he really fucking didn’t want – by
Jeffrey speaking for himself. “I’m not
going to touch your fucking wife,” he promised coldly, clutching his throbbing
hand to his chest. He still felt the
urge todamadamage to someone, but under Salida’s stern gaze, that would have to
fucking wait.
eyes and shook her head, infuriated beyond belief by that remark.
ever felt, she asked, “And why should I believe you when you also agreed not to
start a confrontation? Why should I
believe that when I was woken up by a blooilliilling scream and come in here to
find that world war three has started without me?”
from fucking world war three, but if you like we can do fucking better.
fucking shoot me with. Would that make
things better?” he grit out, his voice rising with every word.
a reaction he could turn off easily, if at all.
pull the trigger,” Aida mumbled under her breath.
warning.
thought that you were going to kill her, then she wouldn’t have gone for the
gun, Jeffrey.” Salida was not going to
let him off the hook for this one.
killing anyone right now! Especially not
my fucking wife, you fucking bastard!” Sands yelled, pulling out the gun from
where he knew Jeffrey must have put it and tossing it across the room and out
of reach.
the gun, especially considering how pissed he was as well, but holding on to it
would only result in one of them getting shot, and that was
Sands. No one is about to die.
quite yet, Salida drug Aida after her and into her room.
the door.
that Jeffrey was not going to break in, Salida promptly ignored Aida and pulled
out her suitcase.
awkwardly, before offering, “Thank you –”
Grant. Do not thank me for what I just did.”
Salida threw some clothes into the case with a vengeance, just waiting
for Jeffrey to start pounding on the door.
the closed door as if it had magically appeared for a long moment before
Jeffrey took action and strode over to the closed door and began banging on it
hard with Sands’ hand. “What the fuck do
you mean, you’ll be packing?” Jeffrey yelled through the closed door.
continued his pounding before Sands stopped him.
broke your fucking hand doesn’t mean that I want mine broken as well.
I can feel that you’rearlearly not finished threatening my wife you’ve got
another thing coming,” Sands said slowly before moving over to sit on a chair
facing the direction of the door, waiting for the women to come out.
head, amazed at what she’d heard her husband yell.
anything. I told him to try my
patience. Why is he so fucking surprised
that I’m following through on my threats?” she muttered to herself.
got dressed. “Why am I following through
on this?” It wasn’t as if she could
stroll out the door. She’d have to cross
to someone else’s balcony and exit through their room . . . the very thought
made her head spin. “Oh>“Oh god, not again.”
into her stomach, thinking wryly that this time her nerves were getting to her
more than her nauseousness.
out, she looked at herself in the mirror and grimaced – she looked
horrible. Well, I suppose I’m not leaving after all.
though.
head and looked at Sands’ wife. “No, I’m
not okay, but you have bigger things to worry about at the moment.”
herself on the bed, sighing. She was
sick of all this. “Go ahead and
leave. I think Jeffrey is upset enough
with me toore ore you for the time being.”
head, but got ready to leave anyway. She
didn’t particularly want to be here either.
aside far enough that she could squeeze through the door, she left, holding up
her hands when the men’s attention turned to her.
deal with than methe the moment, Jeff.”
beginning to line with worry. “Is it
vixen?” he asked rising to his feet quickly.
Sands cut in, feeling somt wot worried about Salida too, but the safety of his
own wife being paramount in his mind.
think packing tired her out.”
the word packing, and pushed past her and into the bedroom, grunting as he
pushed the dresser away from the door completely and against the wall.
him as he saw the half-packed suitcase. That
same rage abated a little when he saw her on the bed.
until you’re well again,” he said forcefully, moving into the room.
the only reason I’m still here,” she muttered.
“I don’t make threats I don’t intend to keep, and I swear that I’ll keep
this one as soon as moving doesn’t require all my attention.”
you fucking leave me, you’d better think again, Salida,” he said with narrowed
eyes. It didn’t feel right to call her
by the nickname he had given her with playfulness and love while he was so
unbelievably angry with her, so he didn’t.
angry with me!” she exploded. Standing
on legs that weren’t totally cooperating with her, she glared at him.
you what I’d do if you did. And you
down, but all you were waiting for was for me to stop paying attention to
you. Did you ever once consider that by
charging in there you were placing us
at risk?! No, all you could fucking see
was your irritation. You are so
short-sighted at times!” She swayed on
her feet, but backedy asy as Jeffrey reached to steady her.
at you right now.”
mad! But sit the fuck down before you
fall flat on your fucking face, vixen,” he said with a frown, unintentionally
letting the ‘vixen’ slip out in his worry.
still feel about them, but you made
me stop as if none of it mattered! As if
how I fucking felt was fucking insignificant in the grand fucking scheme of
things! Well it fucking isn’t!
and kitty, and that’s what I did,” he scowled, crossing his arms over his
chest.
can risk a bruised ass.” At the stunned
look that briefly overcame her husband’s face, she pressed her advantage.
had actually hurt Grant?
hurt her? Do you think Sands is above
taking that out on me?”
thoughts of just what might have happened fully occurred to him.
the edge of the bed that she had refused.
treating your feelings as insignificant as much as I thought they were
overblown. Not even Sands
after we got married, even if he did
threaten it. And here you were, bitching
about how Sands had the balls to do what we’d already done.
tell me so I can leave. I think that’s a
better idea than starting a bloodbath.
Because that’s how things could have ended this morning.”
at her then, his eyes slightly widened.
married to you, vixen. And if you left
me. . .” he didn’t finish the thought, but shook his head and addressed the
rest of what she had said. “I know I
fucking overreacted. I can’t fucking
help it. I’ve never had a good grip on
my temper, and this morning was just another fucking glaring example of that,”
he admitted with a frown. He didn’t like
admitting weakness, and this was certainly one of his big ones.
fucking risk. I’d die first,” he said
solemnly. He let the seriousness of that
vow linger in the air for a moment before running a hand through his hair.
fucking marriage from now on. I won’t
promise to – I don’t keep my fucking promises it seems – but I’ll fucking try.
finally let her own anger fall away.
With a sigh and a soft moan, she climbed onto her husband’s lap, closing
her eyes. “I’m sorry, but sometimes it feels
like threats and anger are the only way to get through to you.
time, she thought to herself.
he said, wrapping his arms around her and squeezing her tightly as if he were
afraid she would float away. “You’re
right. I’m a stubborn, selfish,
pigheaded bastard, and you’re right.” He
wouldn’t ask her not to follow through with her threats no matter how much he
might have wanted to because he knew that such a reassurance would undermine
her position in the future. If he
believed she would never do what she threatened, then he wouldn’t take her
seriously. It was a hard thought to work
around, but he would manage. “I’m sorry
for this, vixen,” he whispered into her shoulder as he buried his face into it,
needing to be even closer to her. He
wasn’t necessarily sorry for going after Aida, but he was sorry for the
problem had had caused the woman he loved.
you’re going to be once Sands decides we’ve had enough time alone and comes
back to take your treatment of Grant out of your hide.”
paramedics did last night,” he said with a wince.
stick around and see if I can help?”
Salida wriggled around for a moment before pushing on Jeffrey’s
shoulders, making him lie down. She then
spread herself out on top of him and tucked her head under his chin.
mess, vixen. I’m not going to bring you
into it. And it’s not as if I can run
and hide, even if I wanted to,” he said with a small shrug.
now I’ll have to deal with the fucking consequences,” he said, reaching a hand
up to stroke her hair slowly with as much of his broken hand as he could manage
without too much pain.
softly at his touch, and leaned into his fingers, freezing when his breath left
him in a pained huff. “Oh, I’m sorry,”
she apologized softly. “Do you want
something for the pain?”
pain out of his mind.
once again resting her head on his chest.
fucking sweet,” Sands said snidely, feeling the weight of Salida’s head on his
chest. “So I take it you’re not leaving
then, sunrise? Big fucking surprise,” he
said with a roll of his eyes. <
<
Salida said wearily. “If I had the
strength to jump a few balconies, then I’d be long gone, just as I
promised. And why are you mad at
me? I didn’t do anything.”
before he decided to threaten my wife,” he hissed, but didn’t move from his
place on the bed for now. “But that
doesn’t matter. You’re right; it’s not
you I should be mad at. And I’m not.
mattered, and I suppose that’s worth something.
that deserves my anger,” he said, his voice growing cold and emotionless.
teeth, but didn’t move. She wouldn’t
until Jeffrey asked her to.
me to do, Sands?” Jeffrey asked, his voice even and under control.
want you to suffer.” He paused as a
thought struck him. “How do you want him
to suffer, sunrise? This is your one and
only chance to save your fucking husband some of what I have in store for him.
sufficient, then after I’ve done that, I’ll consider the two of us even and I’ll
let matters lie. If not, then I’ll just
do what I plan to do to him anyway, and there will be nothing you can do to
stop me. Take your pick, sunrise.”
sadistic bastard,” Jeffrey seethed, not looking at Salida.
that Sands had placed the option of giving out his ‘punishment’ to her was
cruel. Exactly something which Sands
would have enjoyed. He also knew that
Sands would more than likely carry out his own plans no matter what Salida came
up with.
response was to beg him not to make her choose, but she knew that Sands wouldn’isteisten. Her second thought was to offer
to carry through with her original threat of leaving, but she knew that wouldn’t
be enough for Sands either. But if he
got some revenge, and some time to himself . . . but Jeffrey would hate
her. If only she knew how much of this
was a bluff. Sands wouldn’t hurt himself too badly.
Right? But she couldn’t be
sure. Not when she knew how deeply the
bad blood ran between these two.
breath, she moved off her husband, and sat on the end of the bed.
her lap, she whispered, “A swing and the rest of the week.”
asked with narrowed eyes.
at me, and Jeffrey has to . . . t-to lay low . . . for the rest of the
week. And I’ll make sure he does.”
firing squad, is that it?” Sands asked, both irritated that she thought he
would go for it, and amused that she would even offer.
sound so bad.
Aida.” She raised her eyes from her lap
and met his, holding back the tears that were threatening.
helpless to stop it. I
cold-hearted bitch sometimes, sunrise,” Sands said slowly.
from a compliment as well. He had just
planned to take Jeffrey into the bathroom and beat the shit out of him.
beating up himself, that is. But her
idea had so many more possibilities. But
just a few problems. “What if I don’t
feel like taking a swing at you? And how
the hell are you going to keep him away for an entire week?
entire day let alone a week.”
hard, her mouth opening several times before words came out.
long. Medication.”
marriage forever.
believe what he was hearing. Instead of
refusing to play Sands’ game and therefore let him do whatever he had had in
store – which at the worst still wouldn’t end in death – she was betraying him.
He couldn’t believe it.
word. He couldn’t.
to say, you bastard?” Sands asked col
least, sunrise. But you didn’t answer
the first half of my fucking question,” he addressed her, sitting up on the bed
to look at her.
swing at me than to end up in the hospital for shock.
Aida. Besides, how would you have liked
it if Jeffrey had smacked Aida around
while you were asleep this morning?”
Jeffrey doing that was enough to inflame his previously cold rage enough to
leap off the bed and backhand Salida with the full force of his hand before
opening his eyes wide as he realized what he had done.
he said, all emotion void from his voice.
end of the bed, trying to make her ears stop ringing, her eyes stop watering,
and her stomach stop rolling all at the same time.
that hurt.
that she wasn’t going to cry, she stood, keeping her spine straight.
You have until Saturday to be alone.
I’m going to go to the house and finish cleaning and such.
things for your room. every twenty-four hours to give you another dose of medication.”
shoulders back and her chin up, Salida walked into the bathroom.
drawers, she opened it, revealing a mass of untagged keys.
Tessa’s medical case and unlocked it.
Muttering to herself, she pulled out three pill bottles and a
syringe.
Sands, she asked softly, “Will you at least let me at least say good-bye?
said slowly. He would have told her that
Jeffrey seemed to have retreated in on himself, and was unlikely to heer aer at
the moment, but she’d figure that out on her own.
With hands that trembled just as much as her voice, she brushed his hair
back. “Will you listen to me?”
softly that she barely heard it.
when I said that I would only ever leave you because it was good for you?
up? Please remember that.
the week is out. I’d rather risk loosing
myself to Tess than Sands getting a hold of any of it.
him hurt you?”
coldly, shying away from her touch. “I
meant, why should I even listen to you?”
loose him. Desperation entered her voice
as she pled with him. “I
Please, just . . . just try to understand?”
asked with a voice as void of emotion as Sands’ had been.
out. I don’t fucking believe it,” he
said, utterly disgusted with her, the empty place where his heart had been
before she had torn it from his chest screaming at him.
betrayed him. She had given Sands the
one weapon over him that he feared. Loss
of control. And she had given it
willingly.
asked, her voice raising an octave. “Please,
don’t say that.” He didn’t respond.
and I will. I don’t want to see you in
pain, but I can’t loose you either. I
can’t. It’d kill me.
what you want. I’ll . . . I’ll . . .”
she had to stop talking as tears clogged her throat.
more to fucking say. You made your
fucking deal with the devil, and he’s here to collect,” Jeffrey said coldly,
trying his best to ignore her tears as Sands returned.
Sands, but what was the point? He had
been betrayed by the only person he had ever cared about . . . ever loved.
Sands said coldly, more willing and able to ignore her tears than Jeffrey had
been.
her decision. “Fuck you.”
toilet, flushing it before Sands could stop her.
that’d also been on the counter, relishing the cracking of plastic.
fell closed, locking automatically. The
key had gone down the toilet along with the pills.
have realized what I was fucking doing.
And I think you’ve already inflicted enough pain by making me make that
choice.”
definitely pissed off that she had reneged on their deal, but he wasn’t all
that surprised. “If that’s the way you
want it, fine,” he said slowly, forcing himself to be calm.
room and her apart, but he wouldn’t.
way to his room where he knew Aida waited to say his own goodbyes.
claims to needing a nap, was pacing the confines of their bedroom, her head
down, muttering away as she waited for Sands.
When he opened the door, she swung around and gave him a smile . . .
that died away as she saw the look on his face.
“What’s wrong?”
to. He turned to leave.
shoulder. “You can’t leave me with such
a . . . reassuring promise. Where are you
going? And why?”
doing it anyway. I don’t know.
in turn and grew silent once more. “Goodbye,
spitfire. I do loou.”ou.”
insisted. “Don’t leave me like this, I –”
she stopped as she felt a trail of warm liquid running down from her nose.
was a bloody nose. Not the best
indication of health at the moment.
said again and continued walking toward the door, each step harder than the
last. He wanted nothing more than to
hold her in his arms tightly and never let go again, but he couldn’t.
carelessly across the room earlier and tucking it into the waistband of his
pants he turned to look at her again but didn’t say a word.
him. “No.
and I can only imagine if the next time I’ll see you will be while you’re
behind bars or not. You’re not going.”
looking for it.”
least before you go.”
but nodded, meeting her in the middle of the room.
toes, wrapping her arms around Sands’ neck.
Slowly, she traced her nose along his neck and jaw, breathing in his
scent. Finally reaching his mouth, she
kd hid him softly, once, twice . . . and on thirdhird time, attacked his lips,
demanding some sort of reaction from him.
hold out – to distance himself from getting close to her, knowing that it would
only be harder to leave afterwards – but it had been a fool’s errand.
to his wife than stop breathing, so he found himself deepening the kiss with
the fervor and passion of someone who knew that this was their last chance to
see the person they loved for awhile.
advantage while she had it, although she was careful not to act right
away. After a few racing heartbeats, she
pressed against Sands, doing anything to get closer to him.
out of this funk.
more than willingly to her attentions, but then he forced himself to realize
what she was doing and to pull away before he no longer could.
the door, intending to leave with nothing but his weapons, the clothing he was
currently wearing, and the money he had in his wallet.
to make him pay for what he had done – and needed to do it alone.
he was getting even with Salida too, for not going through with her end of
their deal. Although he really wasn’t
all that surprised, that didn’t mean he was just going to let her get away with
it.
waiting for him at the main door of the suite.
She had a stubborn look about her, and it mildly pissed him off.
to stop me,” Sands said sternly. Although
he was in part doing this to get revenge on her, it did niggle at him that Aida
would have to pay for that vengeance. Pushing
such thoughts out of his mind with effort he returned his attention to Salida.
letting him go without a fight.
you can do to fucking stop me. Now I won’t
ask again. Get out of my fucking way,
sunrise.” He might have told her that he
– and consequently Jeffrey if things didn’t work out his way – would be coming
back, but he was in no mood to give her reassurances.
head. “Only if you let me come.
attention anyway.”
adamantly before continuing on. “Even if
I was fucking willing to have you as a tag-a-long – which I’m not – it wouldn’t
be fair to spitfire. So fucking forget
it. There’s plenty of real doctors out
there as I know you’re fucking aware.”
suppose you’re going to have to make me get out of the way, because I refuse to
compromise on this point.”
take her up on her challenge, when Aida’s soft voice stopped him.
turning to face his wife.
hers, Aida whispered, “Please, she’s right.
And she knows you better than I do.
I’ve known you for what? A
week? And I’m worried out of my
mind. She’s obviously got a better idea
of what you may be planning. And I know
she’s just worried about her husband . . . but I’m worried about mine.”
making any impact im.
only for my peace of mind.”
believe this,” Sands yelled. “What the
fuck is the matter with you two? What
part of ‘I’m leaving, goodbye’ don’t you understand?”
go with me, sunrise? This isn’t some
kind of fucking adventure.” He didn’t
add that if he had the opportunity to get rid of Jeffrey for good he would.
she promised softly. She didn’t have the
strength to.
me leave if I don’t agree to this?” he asked, turning to Aida as well.
like it. He could have gotten past
Salida – he thought – but he wouldn't put it past her to have saved a vial of
something nasty to knock him out. She
might have gotten rid of all the fucking drugs to keep Jeffrey out of his ,
b,
but there was no telling what she still had up her sleeve.
without having to worry about this.” She
rubbed absentmindedly at the faint smear of blood under nosenose.
ineffectually, to keep the wince at Aida’s words from his face, but even then
he couldn’t be stopped. “Fine.
asked with a slight frown.
something.”
picked up a small bag. “It’s nothing
more than a first aid kit and two bottles of water,” she assured him hesitantly.
mixture of love and longing before heading out the door, Salida closing it
behind him.
******************************
asking where they were going, and not having heard when Sands had told the taxi
driver. She was simply along for the
ride now, and she certainly felt like it.
This entire scenario was almost like having an out of body experience,
but worse.
up in front of the
beginning to form again. He wanted
nothing more than to make Jeffrey suffer – immensely – but now was neither the
time nor the place. And Jeffrey wasn’t
evrounround anyway, which made making him suffer more than difficult.
bustling airport, heading immediately to the place where one - had they enough
money – could charter private jets. He
did so, not caring for thst, st, only wanting to get into DC as soon as
possible. He did his best to ignore the
woman that was doing her best to act as his shadow, but it wasn’t easy.
to stay silent the entire time, sunrise?” he couldn’t stop himself from asking
as they were led outside to where the jet was parked, getting refueled.
jet was that they didn’t take their passengers throuhe mhe metal detectors.
me to do?” shked ked with dull eyes. “Beg
you to stop? To turn around and go back
to your wife? To forget about this
morning since Aida didn’t get anything more than a little rough handling while
I’m sporting a bruise by your hand?” She
shook her head. “I’m just here to pick
up the pieces. I think we both know it’s
unlikely that Jeffrey will ever forgive me.”
of fucking betray him, sunrise. Well you
almost did anyway,” he said with a shrug, not in a position or mood to try and
reassure her. “It’s little wonder he’s
fucking pissed at you.” Her comment
about what had happened to her and Aida was ignored as they boarded the small
jet.
force me to talk the entire way there?” she asked wearily, not wanting to get
into this with him. It’s not like he
gave a damn anyway.
silence is fucking worse. I won’t force
you to fucking talk though,” he said, cursing under his breath when he was
forced to use Jeffrey’s broken hand to help buckle his seatbelt.
own seatbelt, and looked out her window as the plane took off.
said in what was almost a wistful voice, “Did you know that I once offered to
let Jeffrey kill me?”
asked slowly, trying vainly to put his throbbing hand out of his mind.
night together, because I knew I’d rather die than have to leave him a second
time.”
telling me this, sunrise?” he asked warily, not liking where this conversation
was leading.
just been easier for everyone if he’d taken me up on that.
would at least remember me . . . it’s an attractive idea.
asked, “Do you think he would make it quick now?”
his seat, uncomfortable with her line of questioning.
he probably would have made it quick. Now?
Not a chance.
live happily fucking ever after, or he’d leave you to suffer.”
going to forgive me, but for the sake of argument, if in three weeks he’s not
talking to me yet, will you just go ahead and put me out of my misery?
so be it.” He would take no pleasure in
killing her, but he would do it.
said seriously. “It’s always good to
have a plan B.”
said slowly, waving his hand in a careless gesture before pulling up Jeffrey’s
broken hand up to his face to look at it.
hissing as the pain in his hand and arm doubled.
knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help it.
wasn’t there, and he could feel it beginning to cool.
a clear head when he talked to you, because I offered him some painkillers,”
Salida observed, without looking away from the window.
border of sanity and madness. “He said
he didn’t want to involve me, that he’d take care of his own mess.”
she blinked rapidly to keep from falling.
“I’m sorry. I think I should take
a nap.”
with a frown in her direction at her display.
she murmured, closing her eyes.
long enough for her to re-live her dream of killing her husband . . . for his
own good.
******************************
penthouse suite and gesturing to Salida.
killing the maid.” He began to survey
the contents of his apartment, determined to take some heads – literally – if anything
was missing. It had been several months
since he had been home. Not enough time
for the murder inquiries around him to die down, but he didn’t care.
be it. He’d deal with it.
answer. She merely looked around,
noticing that aside from a thick layer of dust, things were actually pretty
neat. “Perhaps you killed her after she
cleaned up,” she observed quietly.
he said with a shrug, moving into the living room to take a seat on his plush
leather couch.
we?”
fucking time,” Sands muttered. “Don’t
you recognize it? We’re fucking home,
Jeffrey,” Sands seethed, his rage rekindled at the sound of Jeffrey’s voice.
Orleans
is DC. This was never fucking home.
known, remember? With your family still
fucking inside.”
said coldly before addressing Salida. “
why don’t you say hello?”
asked, whipping around to look at her. “What
the fuck is she doing here?”
didn’t reply. She wouldn’t until he
addressed her directly.
on that one. Congratulations.”
was more important to be here and pick up whatever pieces are left than it was
to sleep, Jeffrey,” she said quietly. “And
Sands can testify that I threw up on the plane if it’ll make you feel any
better.”
that bastard says make me feel bet–” Jeffrey was cut off by a gasp of pain as
Sands applied pressure to his broken pointer finger.
fucking bastard again and I’ll do it again.
bastard,” Jeffrey said defiantly. Sands
responding by doing exactly what he had threatened, leaving them both
breathless from the pain.
closed her eyes, trembling where she stood, wondering why sheeen een so
insistent on coming. Jeffrey hated her,
she loved him, she was going to watch him suffer.
think this through before I said I’d come?
Jeffrey. I’m more fucking resolved than
you ever have or will be. Now, why don’t
we take this somewhere more . . . private so we can fucking talk?”
led the both of them into the bathroom and stopped in font of the large mirror,
staring wi.
anyone as much as I hate you,” Sands growled into the mirror.
mutual, asshole,” Jeffrey hissed as another broken finger was attacked.
at the top of his lungs.
say? You’re nothing to me.
mind. You mean nothing.
Fuck, you don’t even have a happy marriage anymore.
into the mirror.
think so much as reacted, punching into Sands’ face, and consequently the
mirror without hesitation. His already
broken hand was now unleashing its fury upon him at this abuse, a variety of
other bloodied cuts adding their voices to the chorus as glass shattered around
him.
asshole,” Sands gasped, his hand and arm just as cut up as Jeffrey’s was.
shard of glass sticking out of his forearm.
“See, this is why sunrise
fucking came,” he muttered to himself.
commotion inside the room, but she tried to tune it out.
anything until they were done anyway . . . but the crashes and yells were
sinking deeper and deeper into her mind . . . and not particularly caring
either.
keep!” Sands shouted into the living room after her.
roused herself, and shuffled into the bathroom.
Wordlessly, she pulled the pieces of glass from his hand and arm, rising
them with saline solution and wrapping them in cotton.
wrong with you?” Sands hissed at her zombie-like treatment.
appreciated, sunrise,” he said with a wince, referring to his now bandaged but
stinging arm.
anything, but wanted to ask her if she was alright.
is wrong?” she asked quietly. “Did you
think I came because I’d find this fun?
that out.”
Jeffrey’s shit at the same time,” Sands growled, glaring into the broken
mirror.
giving you shit?” she asked. “I’m taking
care of your battle wounds, I’m not trying to stop you, and I’m not getting in
the way. And besides, I can’t leave.”
next fucking plan back to the fucking Big Easy before you have a chance to
change your mind.”
rephrase that . . . I won’t leave.”
through clenched teeth.
turned to leave, hesitating only once to see if her husband was showing any
sign of at least acknowledging her presence . . . he wasn’t that she could
tell. She reached out to touch him, but
changed her mind, her hand ing ing back to her side limply.
sob, she left the room.
little wifey is crying. What a shame.
Sands addressed the shattered mirror coldly.
coldly. He was severely tempted to grab
the shard of glass that Salida had pulled out of Sands’ arm, and slit his throat
with it. He knew that the result would
be his own death as well, but if Sands kept fucking pushing him, he would no
longer care.
exactly been good for her either, have you?
shard of glass at his neck.
if he moved his throbbing hand but an inch more, he and Sands would be both
dead, was the only thing stopping him from completing the killing blow.
well with my broken hand either, so maybe I’ll slip and kill us both in a
fucking accident. How would you like
that?”
trickle of hot blood running down his neck under the razor sharp piece of
broken glass. An ounce more pressure,
and it would be all over. He would
crumple to the ground in this fucking bathroom and watch his life fucking bleed
away. Fuck that. I’m not going to let
this goddamned bastard kill me. This is
out of Jeffrey’s hand, but Jeffrey caught the movement and moved the sharp
piece even closer. The trickle had
become a rush. “You’re going to kill us,”
Sands said slowly, trying to keep his throat as still as possible as he spoke.
slicing his Adam’s apple off. Jeffrey
didn’t answer, but he didn’t let up either.
ensued next left them both cut up and bleeding and yelling at each other.
deep along his jaw line and a split palm as he grabbed at the piece of glass.
arm and most likely another broken finger as Sands had slammed his hand against
the wall. They slumped to the ground
against the cabinet, neither willing to give up any more ground, but too
exhausted, battered and bloodied to do anything further.
more to go around if they were so inclined. <
st
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Neither man was.
moments of silence from the bathroom, Salida hesitantly approached it,
preparing herself for what she’d find.
However, the sight of Sands and Jeffrey lying on the ground, blood still
trickling from the cut on their neck, was too much.
as she shook her head in disbelief. “No
. . . Jef-Jeffrey?” It was simply too
much for her to take, and her eyes rolled up into the back of her head as her
knees collapsed under her.
muttered, pulling himself upright as best he could.
and bloodloss, but that didn’t matter. “Vixen!”
he shouted at her, and Sands raised a hand to his bloodied throat and pressed
down on it to slow the bleeding, but otherwise didn’t say anything as they
moved slowly towards Salida. “Vixen,
talk to me,” he pleaded with her limp form, kneeling back and reaching over to
shake her awake with his throbbing hand.
form moaned and stirred. She rolled over
onto her back, and slowly opened her eyes, looking around her without showing
any recognition of where she was. “Where
. . . what?” Jeffrey froze as he
recognized the cultured voice coming out of his wife’s throat.
wrinkled. “Jeffrey?” she asked, as if
unsure she had the right name.
” Sa” Sands rasped, having heard the new voice as well.
I thought we’d done this already.
But I suppose I could be mistaken.
And you shouldn’t be talking; you’re hurt.”
fucking remember. I’ve never fucking met
you before in my life. And who cares if
I’m hurt? You didn’t seem too.
couldn’t help him fucking soon enough. I
doubt you’d give me the same consideration,” Sands said with narrowed eyes.
the fuck is that supposed – wait, you’re sunrise’s Tess?
dead?”
she corrected, as the doctor in her reached for the first aid kit that Salida
had left on the counter, feeling the room spin as she did so.
fear. The voice said it’d take care of
me . . . but now it – she – what happened?
She’s . . . not well.”
a look at her, but she said she was fine,” Jeffrey supplied.
fucking weird,” Sands said, grimacing as he pulled his hand away from his neck
and saw the blood on it. “You fucking
bastard, Jeffrey,” he muttered under his breath before moving his hand to the
deep cut along his jaw line. It would
probably fucking need stitches.
meant,” Tess said quietly as she started blotting blood from Sands’ neck with a
gentle hand. “She’s . . .”
Jeffrey asked with wide eyes. “Tell me
what’s fucking wrong with her.”
anymore, is she? She’s retreated back
into your mind. That’s why you’re
fucking here and she isn’t,” Sands said warily, not knowing how such
information would affect Jeffrey.
but it’s more than that. She’s grieving.”
in front of her, unable to meet Jeffrey’s.
she’s grieving –”
for whom?”
whispered. “She’s blaming herself for .
. . for this, I think,” she gestured to the mess around them, making sure to
include Sands and Jeffrey.
who should be fucking blamed it’s fucking Sands,” Jeffrey seethed.
glass and decided we’d look better in pieces, you psychotic bastard.”
head and took a closer look at the cut. “I
can’t imagine what she’s upset about loosing if she has to deal with this every
day,” she muttered under breabreath as she decided the cut on the men's neck
wasn’t deep enough to require stitches.
why she thought she’d be better off without you.
already I’m missing sunrise. Something I
thought would never happen.” It probably
wasn’t a good idea to insult the doctor as they patched you up, but Sands
couldn’t have cared less.
shrugged. “I’d have to say the same for
the two of you ae moe moment. Arguing
and taking stabs at each other while she’s
basically having a complete mental meltdown.”
Tess had cleaned up all the blood as best she could, and had started
putting butterfly bandages on the deeper cuts before wrapping them in gauze.
mutd, bd, but there was no force behind it.
felt the first nigglings of guilt claw at his mind.
hand refused to feel guilty. She’s stronger than you.”
Salida, but something about this cold, passionless woman in front of him rubbed
him the wrong way.
She’s giving up.” Tess closed the
first aid kit as she finished.
can’t,” Jeffrey said softly. “She’s not,”
he said more forcefully before turning to face the woman in front of him.
focused internally for a moment before they refocused on Jeffrey and
Sands. “I don’t think she can hear
you. She’s behind a wall and she’s
determined not to come out. But you’re
welcome to try.” And with that, Tess
retreated.
a puppet who’d had its strings cut. “You
can’t do this to me,” Jeffrey whispered, sitting down heavily beside her.
she gave was to close her eyes and turn her face away.
was still alive, but her consciousness was expanding, dissolving, spreading too
thin to stay connected. She’d betrayed him.
Perhaps he was upset about loosing her now . . . but would he be in the
long run?
struck a chord in her somewhere. She
wasn’t a quitter . . . but could she quit something that never was?
she whispered, almost too softly for the men to hear.
practically pleaded with her.
I shouldn’t have . . . I shouldn’t have made that deal with Sands . . . you
should hate me . . . I think I do. . . .”
eyes in a tight wince both from the pain and from her words.
don’t hate you.”
she whispered. “I do.”
as she sighed, “I’m so tired. . .”
fucking guestroom. You can sleep there.
you wake up,” Jeffrey said in a mixture of sternness and weariness.
softly, knowing that if she fell asleep now, she wouldn’t be waking up. Prying her
eyes open, she met Jeffrey’s eyes with a sad, sweet gaze.
tired of all this shit, you mean?” he asked, gesturing first to the broken
mirror and then to his bloodied face, neck and arm.
Sands added. “You are sunrise again,
right?” heed wed warily.
shaking her head when her stomach growled.
“I think I’m actually hungry,” she whispered, almost amazed.
life wasn’t ready to stop bugging her yet.
out. I seriously fucking doubt there’s
anything left edible in his place,” Jeffrey said, relieved that she seemed to
be feeling physically better at least.
anything left in the refrigerator or cabinets it’s more than a few months old,”
Sands added. “I haven’t exactly had time
to shop,” he said dryly.
murmured, scooting incrementally closer to Jeffrey.
should call Grant, Sands. Let her know
that you’re still alive and all.”
addressed Sands, wanting to know if this was over.
Sands responded with a nod and wince. “You
just had to go for the fucking face, didn’t you?” he grumbled, fingering the
deep cut along his jaw.
It could have been your fucking throat.”
groaned. “Stop or let me leave.”
stopping.”
head, not really believing them, and tried to stand.
blacking out and collapsing. She cursed,
and managed to catch herself with her hands before planting her face into the
floor.
that? If you can’t even fucking stand,
we’re going to the emergency room. I don’t
fucking care what you say otherwise,” Jeffrey said firmly, his eyes wide with
worry as he helped her sit up again.
anything since you took me out for dinner.
Nothing more substantial than crackers and soda water at least.”
asked with a frown.
head. “I’ll be fine if I take things a
bit more slowly.” She tried again, this
time using the wall and the counter to help support her, and made it to her
feet. “I’m . . . I’m going to go find
some sun to sit in until you two are ready to leave.”
alright?” Jeffrey asked, his frown deepening despite the pain of the cutng
ng
Sands’ jaw as his mouth moved.
couldn’t really promise him that. So
instead she squeezed his arm and whispered, “I will be.”
we just had a knife fight and lost.”
fucking take awhile,” Sands muttered, gasping slightly as he saw his and
Jeffrey’s face in an unbroken piece of mirror for the first time.
emerged from the bathroom to find Salida lying in a large patch of sunlight.
over the phone, we’ll all fucking get something to eat.”
pacing as he waited for Aida to answer.
she picked up. “Sands?” she asked almost
warily.
be? Yes, it’s me, spitfire,” he said
somewhat wearily. “I’m home.
you’re home?” she asked with some relief, sitting down on the bed, phone in
hand.
okay? And no one is after you?”
here and I’ll be careful.”
soon?” Aida asked. “This place is kinda
big when I’m here by myself. I was
thinking about going back to my apartment, but I didn’t want to leave until I
heard from you.”
more than that. “And if you want to back
to your place for awhile that’s fine with me, I guess.”
should.spanspan>You know, go through and clean
out the fridge, pack up the stuff I want to keep.
deposit back. That sort of thing.
slice of pie when you get back.”
it. How could I promise otherwise?” he
said with a smile. “Get whatever you
need to do done, and I’ll call you again when I’m back.
deal with me. Understand, tiger?”
that,” he said with a smirk. “Bye.”
pocket before returning to Salida. “Well,
I’m as fucking ready as I’ll ever be. We
still all look like victims of abuse, but whatever.
fancy, are you?”
police on us, sunrise,” Sands said with a sigh.
wanted, is what he means,” Jeffrey put in, annoyed with Sands’ pussyfooting
around.
home,” she offered. “I k wek we’ve had
enough trouble this trip without tempting more.”
mouth to argue, wanting time to reacquaint himself with the city he had grew up
around, but knowing she was right. “I
don’t suppose we could drive back? I’ve
got a whole fucking fleet of cars here going to waste,” he said, resigned.
shrugged. “It’s not up to me.
before. Driving around for a little
while might be nice. Just don’t run any
stop signs and get pulled over.”
him fucking drive,” Jeffrey muttered. “Wait
until you see the fucking cars. We’ll be
lucky if we don’t get pulled over for fucking speeding.”
grin, clearly excited about getting to drive one of his own cars again.
one do I take?”
the best?” offered Salida uncertainly.
and see them all. Maybe vixen will like
one better. I don’t fucking care which
one you take, let’s just go.”
and headed down into the parking garage. <
st
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> “They’d better all still be there or e
we
will be hell to pay.” Sands muttered as they rode the elevator down.
on the ride, trying to ignore the motion sickness that it was causing.
stepped out before they could close on her.
“Which of these are yours?” she asked looking around.
there,” Sands pointed with a prideful smile.
said row,” Jeffrey said with a roll
of his eyes.
a small ‘o’, as she looked at the cars that’d been singled out.
undoubtedly fast. Most of them were black,
one or two were red, there was one that was silver, and one that was a deep,
midnight blue. “Can we take that one?”
she asked, pointing at the blue coup.
Sands asked, following her gaze. “Why
the fuck not? I haven’t driven it in
awhile,” he said with a gleeful smirk, practically bouncing over to the
security box where they kept all his and the other residents’ keys.
the large box and entered a second combination to retrieve his own keys from
the cubbyhole they were in. It was a
tedious process, but it was better than having one of his cars stolen.
them on his finger after closing up the boxes.
and fastened her seatbelt, grabbing on to the armrest as Sands practically
peeled out of the garage. “I thought we
were trying to avoid detection,” she observed wryly, trying to hide her
discomfort at how Sands was driving. She’d
ridden with Jeffrey before – and she admitted he liked to drive fast and
recklessly at times – but Sands was even worse.
promised seriously.
you, vixen,” Jeffrey said, shaking his head slightly.
known she was thinking that, but didn’t waste too many brain cells over
it. “Don’t worry Sands, there’s nothing
left in my stomach to loose.”
want to go?” Sands said with a sigh as he was forced to slow down in traffic.
were we grew up? Well, what’s left of
it, anyway,” Jeffrey asked with a shrug.
Sands said. He remained silent
throughout the fifteenutenute drive through the
countryside before puling up to a wrought iron gate and getting out of the car.
“This is it,” he said softly, unlocking
the gate and pulling it open before getting back into the car and driving up
the long driveway to where the house had once stood.
didn’t get out.