A row of windows faced off towards the water, letting streaks of bright colors from the sunset stream into the dining room and living room. The kitchen was on the far end of the main floor, closest to the road. The stairs sat directly in the middle of the home and went up to the three bedrooms. The master had the same view overlooking the water.
She’d peeked her head into the other rooms while he’d been downstairs. He’d turned one into an office and the other was a guest bedroom.
Narrow stairs led up to the third floor. She didn’t know what was up there since she didn’t want to snoop. Nor had she been downstairs to the basement or the garage.
“You got quiet.” He motioned with his fork.
“I was just thinking about this place. You know, when I got my first record deal, I rented a small place downtown.” She laughed. “I’m still there.” She shook her head and took another bite.
“City living is different. This is the first place I put down roots.” He motioned around. “Sarah and Lilly took over with the decorations. I gave them input here or there, but for the most part…” He tilted his head as he looked at the painting hanging over his fireplace. She followed his gaze and smiled. “I like everything they chose.”
“Is that an Allison Jordan painting?” she asked, wanting to get up and inspect the painting of a small crisp white dingy floating in dark waters.
“It is.” He smiled. “My one contribution. I bought it a few years back at an auction.” He sighed. “I’ve always admired great art.”
“Me too.” She’d finished her meal, so she set her fork down and crossed the room. She could just get lost in the scene. Why was the small craft so far out in the deep water? Was there someone lying in the bow of the boat? Resting or suffering?
Suddenly, she realized she was the small boat. Floating in a sea of uncertainty, alone. Her eyes stung as tears threatened to surface. How had she allowed her life to get to this place?
When she’d lived with Ben and Sarah after moving in with them in high school, she’d turned things around. She’d no longer felt lonely as she had under her parents’ rule.
Ben and Sarah had shown her what a family should be. Then she’d followed her dream out west and lost that insight into what she could have. What she could be.
Not that she didn’t like her singing career. She just hated being in LA amongst all the pretentious people in their never-ending battle to be on top.
When the threats had started, the first thing she’d thought of was to run home to her brother and Sarah. Now, she was beginning to think that she’d dug herself in such a deep hole, there was no place she could go to escape the clutches of the madman.
She jumped slightly when Calvin’s hands rested on her shoulder.
“I love that her paintings leave so much to your imagination.” He sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. He turned her towards him and frowned down at her. “Hey, are you okay?”
She nodded and laid her head against his shoulder. “I guess it’s just getting to me. The intrusion.” She closed her eyes and let his sexy scent consume her.
“I’m sorry,” he said into her hair. “I don’t know what it’s like to have my things destroyed. I’m here.” He ran his hands up and down her back.
“It’s not about the things.” She leaned back slightly and looked up into his eyes. She knew she could trust him as much as she trusted her brother and Sarah.
“It’s me,” she said pointing to the boat. He waited, quietly, until she continued. “I’m the dingy floating out in the rough ocean. With no set path. No help in sight.” She closed her eyes as tears slid down her cheeks. “The waves crashing against me, tossing me every direction except for the one I want to go.”
His arms tightened around her. “You aren’t alone.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’m here. Ben and Sarah are here for you.”
She nodded. “Here.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “Not in LA.”
He gently reached up and wiped the tears from her face. “Then why go back?”
She’d been asking herself that same question since stepping off the ferry at the resort. The only thing left for her in California were items she could easily have shipped back here or replaced.
Sure, she had a few commitments. She had to go in at the end of the month to finish her next album, and for some photo shoots, music videos, and other promotional appearances. But the more she thought it through, the more she realized she could travel across the country for those events.
“You’re right.” She sighed and leaned up to kiss him.
He turned her slightly. “Don’t you see it?” He nodded to the painting. “The hope? After all, that’s what this piece is called. Hope.”
She shook her head, but then she stilled and tilted her head. There, in the distance of the painting off to the far right of the dingy, was a single ray of sunshine shining on a green shoreline. The dingy was even pointing in the right direction, the currents in the dark water moving towards the landmass.
Since she had already opened up a little, she figured she better tell him the rest. Moving over to the sofa, she sat down and waited until he sat beside her.
“I’ve been getting emails and calls…” She took a deep breath.
“You told me…” When she shook her head, he grew silent. “Okay,” he said slowly.
“Threats. Credible ones. At least the police think they are. Enough that they suggested I take some time away. To stay someplace safe.”
He waited for her to say more, but she didn’t know what to say. Instead, she pulled out her phone and opened her messages and showed him. She sat silently beside him while he read the disturbing messages, more than a dozen of them.
Messages about someone’s desire to chop her up. To tear her to pieces. To listen to her scream as they drained the blood from her body.
“I feel sick.” He closed his eyes and handed her back her phone. “Why didn’t you tell us about these earlier?”
“Because the police are handling it.” She shrugged and set her phone down on the coffee table. “They have a task force… or whatever, to try to track down whoever sent them. Since they officially crossed the line into…” She shook her head and didn’t want to say the words. “Disturbing.”
“Disturbing?” He stood up suddenly and paced in front of the fireplace. “That doesn’t come close to what those messages are.” He turned suddenly. “Psychopathic does.” He moved back to her. “You need a full force of security on you.” He glanced around the house.
She could see fear and concern as he looked around his safe space suddenly as if they were out in the open in the middle of a war.
“Calvin.” She stood up and wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t hide forever.” She took his face into her hands and leaned up to kiss him. “The police have assured me that they will catch whoever sent these.”
“Oh my god.” He stilled even further. “Do you think whoever broke into your rooms last night and cut your things up with garden shears…”
To stop him from building up the worry even further, she kissed him again, this time pouring all of her feelings into it until she felt him relax against her lips. “Let’s not worry anymore for today. We’re safe here.” She looked up at him. “No one can touch me.” She smiled. “Except you.” She leaned in and kissed him, then took his hand in hers. “Take me upstairs.”