Текст книги "Return to Grace Street"

Автор книги: Ella Dominguez

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Текущая страница: 17 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

27: Show & Tell

The week had been a blissful one considering what was taking place outside the walls of 2500 East Grace Street. Victor’s protective nature had kicked into full gear and he was refusing anyone, including media, to come near Elsa. She was thankful for it because anonymity is exactly what she needed.

Blissful wasn’t even an accurate description to the way things had been. Things were surreal. Peaceful, even. Relatively speaking considering she was sharing quarters with both Victor and Mr. Black. Although Mr. Black seemed to be in hiding, he wasn’t gone. Not completely. She could see the dark of his eyes shining behind Victor’s when he pushed her limits; the satisfaction in his voice when she begged to come; the twitch of his mouth and clench of his jaw when she’d spoken out of place or didn’t do exactly as he wanted.

She wondered how long it would last like this. She didn’t dare try to foresee the future with him and simply lived day to day, enjoying the good moments when they came and dreading the darkness when it overtook Victor.

When she found him several nights in a row sitting in his office in the dark, staring blankly at the wall, she knew he was struggling with everything that had happened between them. With the things he had shared with her. With the memories of his past relentlessly playing over and over in his head. Only once did she go to him and try to comfort him, but he had back lashed with such ferocity, she knew it was best to just let him try to sort it out himself. He had demons the likes of which she would never comprehend, but one thing she did understand was that he needed help, and it was the kind that she couldn’t give him. Not alone. But would he accept help or seek it out? How could he when he was so fiercely stubborn and proud. And still holding onto that stoic mask that he had been wearing for so many years?

Regret soon took over after he lashed out at her. When she saw the guilt and shame in his eyes, she knew at that very moment that she needed to meet Anthony Bruce.

It was imperative that she meet him in person to seek out the truth about who Victor’s father was and to see for herself where he came from. She needed to try and either confirm or renounce in her own mind, his connection to the man. Since his mother was gone, the only one left was Anthony. After the way things had gone with her mother’s visit and the way Victor had calmly reacted and seemed to be understanding of her family’s plight to keep them apart, she found it hard to believe that he could be related to a murderer.

Elsa swallowed the lump of anxiety lodged in her throat as she drove to the Virginia State Penitentiary. She was fortunate to have been granted an ‘interview’ with Anthony Bruce considering the media firestorm that was swirling all around him. According to Victor, in another few days Anthony’s judgment would be coming down the pipe and most likely, all outside visitors would be refused once charges were brought against him and Daniel Franco. She wasn't exactly sure how she had managed to get a meeting with him, but she wasn’t going to let her nerves get the best of her. If she was going to try and trick Anthony into believing she was a journalism student, she needed all the courage she could muster up. Hopefully the fake badge she had printed off would work in getting her past the guards and not thrown out. Or worse – arrested.

With her phone synced to her car stereo, she found several songs Victor had sneakily placed into her playlist. He always had some song playing in the background in either his office or at his house. Just like all things in his life, he planned everything down to the last detail. For that reason, she did her best to listen to the lyrics of each and every one because she knew that whatever the song was, it meant something about the way he was feeling at that moment. As Nicotine Dreams by Laurel played, she tried not to think about how angry Victor would be if he found out about her plans. When he found out. It was just as a matter of time. He knew everything about Anthony and there was no doubt in her mind that it would get back to him about her meeting.

As she dug out her badge and approached the guard’s station, she tried to put on a show of confidence. When the guard eyed her ID dubiously, she briefly considered bolting in the opposite direction. The man behind the glass flipped the badge over several times, inspecting it, before finally asking for another form of ID. Elsa swallowed noisily. She hadn’t anticipated this little glitch. The name on the school ID didn’t match her own, but she was quick on her feet.

Calmly, she handed over her driver’s license and gave the officer her best bashful smile. “I put a fake name on the badge because I don’t want that man knowing my real name. I can give you some other forms of ID if you need,” she dug out her work badge and a credit card with her name on it. “This is who I really am.”

The man checked it all over thoroughly before handing it back to her. “I don’t blame you for not wanting him to know you’re real name. It’s probably for the best. Go on in,” he pointed to the next set of guards doing pat downs and personal items searches.

Finally seated behind a thick glass wall, Elsa fastened the top button of her blouse and tucked her hair back into a bun in an attempt to make herself look as unappealing as possible. She had purposely not worn any make up and didn’t wear any perfume, either.

When a stocky, older man approached the window, her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest. She immediately scanned him head to toe. While looking for some likeness to Victor, she noted that he was chewing gum. Casually, he seated himself as his eyes took in all of her details, too.

When his tongue poked out to slick across his upper lip, a wave of nausea crashed over her. This man had murdered women. A lot of women. In cruel ways. On the rare occasion that Victor slept, she had gotten into the personal case files in his office and done her homework on the serial killer. It was horrifying to read the things this man had done; the things that Victor had studied and was privy to. It was no wonder he had so many demons to deal with. Anthony Bruce had not only tortured his victims while they were alive, but he had done vile things to their corpses after he had snuffed out their lights.

And he had read Victor’s notes on his Chapters. What the hell was Victor thinking by allowing that?

A lewd smile spread over his face when she shifted uncomfortably in her chair, and Elsa couldn’t help but notice that his smile looked nothing like Victor’s.

“I handpicked you.”

Elsa felt her mouth gape widely at his remark. Did he know who she was? Panic settled in low in her gut but she quickly shut her mouth to hide her fear.

“Lots of people wanted to interview me, you know. I’m famous. But when I saw your credentials, I decided I wanted you.”

A wave of relief swept over Elsa so rapidly, she felt lightheaded. Bullshit it was her credentials that made him pick her. It was the fact that she was a woman. How ignorant did he think she was?

“You look like you might pass out…” he chuckled under his breath. “I have that effect on women.” His eyes roamed over her body, face, and settled on her hair. “I ain’t ever been with a red-head before. I hear they’re great lays. Is that true?”

Elsa swallowed the bile that crept up her throat. “I’m not the person you should ask,” she reached for a notepad in her bag to keep up the charade of being a journalism student.

“Who should I ask? Your lovers?”

He leaned forward, making Elsa back away. Even though he was behind a barrier, she felt too close to him and suddenly regretted having gone there. What the fuck was she thinking?

“I didn’t come here to talk about that,” she stated as professionally and curtly as possible, but her words had the opposite effect she had intended.

Anthony’s playfulness disappeared in the blink of an eye and agitation flickered in his eyes; eyes that by all accounts, looked nothing like Victor’s. Maybe the color, but only vaguely. Elsa strained her vision against the reflection of the bright lights against the glass to get a better glimpse of his facial features.

“With that cunty attitude, maybe you should just get the fuck outta here,” he growled.

Elsa forced a contrite smile. She wasn’t ready to leave just yet. She needed information. “My apologies, Mr. Bruce. My nervousness is getting the best of me.”

When his expression softened, she relaxed into the seat. “Have you had a lot of lovers who weren’t your victims?” she dared to ask.

His eyes lit up at her line of questioning. “I’ve had lots of pussy, sure.”

“Central to the State of Virginia or did you branch out?” She was hoping to find out if he had, in fact, been with Victor’s mother in Tuckahoe, where Victor was born.

“You sure ask strange questions,” he crossed his arms over his chest.

She kept her eyes on the notepad and nodded. Yes, she did. But she wanted answers because she had serious doubts about him being Victor’s father. Nothing about them was similar. Not their mannerisms, gestures or facial features. Not even their body shape was similar. Victor was much taller and leaner. But then again, maybe he got those traits from his mother.

When no answer came, she peeked up at him to see him analyzing her every movement with a smug look on his face. “Show me a little somethin’,” he nodded toward her breasts as he smacked his gum loudly, “And I’ll tell you all my secrets, Darlin’.”

The way his voiced oozed smugness and the manner in which he scrutinized and tried to dissect her was the only time she saw any kind of resemblance to Victor.

Elsa’s hands began to shake when a despicable idea popped into her head. It was more than Anthony’s secrets that she wanted, but was it worth it? Victor would be so angry with her, furious. Angry enough that Mr. Black might reappear and furious enough that what she was going to do might drive a permanent wedge between them.

She sunk her teeth into her bottom lip as she reached up to the pluck open the top button of her blouse and then the next. Yes, it was worth it. The truth was always worth the repercussions.

28: Surreal

Elsa peeked out her office window to see Victor’s car parked just below it. He had left abruptly after her meeting with Anthony and had been gone for two days. It had been just enough time to get the supplies she needed for the next phase of her plan.

Happy to see him after his short absence, she went to him and climbed into his vehicle.

“You haven’t stalked me in a long time.”

“I’m not stalking you;” he rolled his eyes. “I was just about to come in.”

Her heart clenched at his dismissal.

“You seem disappointed,” he barely suppressed a chuckle.

Her cheeks flushed slightly. “Maybe a little.”

Starting his car, he pulled out of his parking spot. “I want to take you somewhere.”

“I have a meeting in an hour,” she said with a glance at her watch.

A faint smile touched his lips. “It’s a good thing you’re the boss and you can do whatever you want.” She tried to interject the seriousness of her need to be there, but he waved his hand in her direction. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you back in time.”

The quietness in the car gave way to awkwardness. Something was on his mind, but she knew better than to push. He glanced in her direction several times, but remained wordless.

“Victor…” she spoke up.

“Don’t say anything. We’re almost there.”

The twenty minute drive had her feeling anxious. Guilt was slowly gnawing away at her for having lied to him about where she had been and the fact that she had spoken to Anthony. But it couldn’t be helped. When the truth came out, one way or another, they would both have all the answers they needed to move forward.

When they arrived at a secluded area overlooking Richmond, confusion settled over her. Holding onto his hand, he led her to a spot several hundred feet from the road. The cold wind blasted against them, but the sun was shining brightly. She took in her surroundings. Virginia really was beautiful, and despite her bad memories of what Victor had put her through, it had come to be her home.

“When I was much younger, I used to come here to gather my thoughts.” Victor pulled her close for warmth as he gazed out pensively at the winter landscape. “I made the mistake of bringing her here…” he gritted his teeth. By her, Elsa assumed he was referring to Scarlet. “It ruined this place for me. I haven’t been back since. But things are different now and I’m trying to let all that go.”

A flicker of hope tingled at the base of her spine. “It’s so amazing; so peaceful. I’m glad you’ve come back.” She gulped in a quick breath of icy air to suppress the urge to cry. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

She clutched him tightly and rested her head on his chest. Staring up at him, she smiled and waggled her eyebrows to try and lighten the mood. "Did you meet any good looking men while you were out of town?"

"Oh, Jesus. This again?” he huffed in disbelief. “We've already been through that. We're not doing that again."

Disappointment pinched her heart. "But it will be different next time," she clutched the lapels of jacket.

He let out a quick burst of ironic laughter. "Next time? After the way you reacted?”

"Now I know you're mine. I mean, you are mine, right?"

"I was yours then, too."

An upsurge of passion warmed her against the frigid breeze. "But I didn't know that. I thought it was Mr. Black playing games..."

He pressed his fingers to her lips. "Don't say that name. He’s gone."

She gave him a weak smile at his effort, though she knew Mr. Black would never really be gone. "I know where all those wicked ideas come from. Like the way you fucked me last week. My ass was sore for days after that…” his eyes sparkled and a smile tipped the corners of his mouth. “No, he's not gone. You've just got him under control."

His smile dissipated. "I’m struggling with that."

"I know you are."

Her hand slid down his chest and found the bulge in his pants.

"Did you miss that?" he nipped at her bottom lip.

"I missed everything about you."

***

Everything about where Victor was at in his life, physically and emotionally, felt surreal; like he was living someone else’s existence in a dreamlike state. He wanted it to be real but his self-loathing was ever present. And Elsa... Christ, she was so beautiful. The way she was staring up at him all hopeful made it feel like the air in his lungs had crystallized and he couldn’t breathe.

He didn’t want to hurt her but Mr. Black had been pushed aside for far too long.

When he had gotten the call to head out of state, he was thankful for it. It gave him time to try and sort things out in his head as to what he really expected out of his relationship with Elsa. He had ripped into her viciously the week previously when she had tried to console him and he was still feeling shitty about it. But that’s who he was and he knew it was inevitable that things would have to end between them. There was no other way. He was kidding himself by thinking that they could have a future together. Deep down, he knew Elsa knew that, too. No matter what his heart wanted, his head knew he was wrong for her. He would never change. Not really. Not in ways that would really make a difference. And not when he was the product of two sociopathic parents.

He kissed the top of her head and gazed out at Richmond once more, holding onto to her like it was their last time. He would end things between them to save her sanity; even if it meant sacrificing his own. Just not today. He couldn’t bear to do it when she looked so happy.

***

Victor had collapsed into a tired, wet heap onto his bed immediately after his shower. Something was definitely on his mind but Elsa couldn’t put her finger on it. Their visit to the lookout earlier that day was unprompted and although she would forever cherish his sharing that with her, it made her feel like something on the horizon was brewing. To make matters worse, he had been quiet all during dinner. It was the introspective kind of quiet that made her feel uncomfortable.

As she watched him sleep, she touched his scar and kissed the corner of his mouth. They had been through so much and she desperately wanted things to work out between them. She wanted so much for him to be content and happy in his own skin. She wanted to give him peace of mind and comfort.

If only he would allow it.

She glanced at the night stand when something out of place caught her eye. The music box she had cherished as a child and had given Victor on their last day together, was sitting on it. He had kept it after all this time. She touched it and glanced at him, wondering when and why he had dug it out. What he was trying to tell her by leaving it there for her to see?

While Victor slept, she knew it was time to put her plan into action. After her visit to Anthony, she had bought several items at a drug store in hopes of accomplishing her goal. When she reached for the bag that was stashed beneath his bed, an expected sob caught in her throat. Was she wrong to be considering doing this? She knew the answer was a resounding yes but she was helpless to stop herself. She needed answers. She deserved answers.

29: Fate Intervened

Victor was livid. Fate had intervened once again and true colors were shown. Elsa could not be trusted. As he sat staring at Anthony’s visitor’s list from the previous week, he tried to recall what he was doing on the day she had stared him in the eyes and blatantly lied to him. She had not only put her life in danger by seeking out Anthony, but she had given that piece of shit the upper hand. Anger clouded his brain and everything around him became a fuzzy blur. Even the voices around him blended into the background noise.

There would be no more suppressing Mr. Black.

As he drove to her office, he promptly dialed the number of the prison and requested that a transcript of her and Anthony’s discussion be faxed to him. There was no point in asking Elsa what was said between them since she clearly didn’t know how to tell the truth.

When he stormed into her office, she first gave him a questioning look but then smiled. The sheer sincerity of her joy halted him in his tracks. Goddamn that smile. Why the fuck was she happy anyway? For having manipulated him into believing that she could be trusted?

“Care to tell me where you were last Wednesday?” he growled.

Elsa’s joy gave way to alarm as her face paled under the overhead lights. “I can explain…”

“By all means, Ms. Cassidy, try and explain how putting yourself in danger made any kind sense.”

“But I wasn’t in danger. He didn’t know who I was…” her words came out in a rush to defend her actions, but her words were only infuriated him further. “I had to know for myself… I had to meet him… To prove to myself that…” her eyes searched the room and her body began to shake when she couldn’t find the words.

“What, Elsa? To prove to yourself that the man you’re in love with really is the son of a serial killer?”

Her blanched cheeks brightened and her eyes flashed rebellion. “I’m not in love.”

“Good. I’m glad to hear that because you and I both know that is going to end badly again, don’t we?”

Elsa shook her head and hugged her body. “No, I don’t know that and neither do you. You’re only speaking out of anger. You don’t really mean that,” she stammered.

“You think you know so Goddamn much about me, don’t you?” his temper reached a flashpoint. “Did you know that it’s pointless to keep a side of my personality under control when it doesn’t want to be controlled? That it’s meaningless to try and change someone when they can’t be changed?” The words barreling out of his mouth sounded foreign in his ears. Just like all the other times when he let Mr. Black take over. He felt himself float up and hover above them as if watching a dramatic scene from a movie.

“It’s not meaningless…” she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. “I know you can’t see that right now because you’re angry with me, but you need to trust me on this. You need help, Victor. Counseling or therapy…”

He laughed acidly at her statement. “Jesus fucking Christ, you’re ignorant. No amount of therapy is ever going to change what happened to me! It’s never going to change who I am!”

Before he could stop himself he lunged toward her, every step bringing him closer to madness. Ready to exact his revenge on her for having made him feel again, he raised his hand to wipe the look of sympathy off her beautiful face. When he did, Elsa quickly put her hands up to protect herself. The stark fear in her eyes and her defensive gesture reminded him of all the times his mother had tried to crush his spirit. It was then that his actions struck him full force.

He didn’t want to be this man. He didn’t want to crush Elsa’s spirit or destroy her light. And he didn’t want to hurt her.

Before Mr. Black had the chance to rise up again, he turned and walked out the door, and prayed that Elsa wouldn’t chase after him.