Framed Page 2

  “Do I even want to know?” I asked as I rounded the Audi. The grim pressing of his lips together told me all I needed to know; whatever he was there to visit about wasn't going to be good. “I could leave and come back...it would save us the usual drama filled conversation and witty repartee.”

  “No deal,” Sean replied, pushing off the building to walk towards me. “We have business. Let's go grab a coffee at that Toast place.”

  “You want to talk business at the Friendly Toast? You do have a strange sense of irony. Perhaps if it were called the Mangled Corpse, it would be more appropriate.”

  His gaze intensified as his eyes darkened ever so slightly. I nearly smacked myself in the forehead for being such an idiot. A mangled corpse was likely the reason he was there to see me. That corpse would have belonged to another member of the PC, Petronus Ceteri; one of his brothers in arms.

  “I'm sorry,” I said softly. “I don't know what I was thinking.”

  “You weren't,” he said curtly before placing a hand on the small of my back to usher me down the street. “I guess that means coffee is on you tonight.”

  Sean and my relationship was as complicated as ever. With the murders of his brothers being pinned on me by most of the PC and his deal with the devil (a.k.a. Sophie), which he'd made to keep me alive after my vicious attack two weeks earlier, we were as standoffish and awkward as ever. He'd told me he loved me. I'd returned the favor, then found out that being together was never going to be in the cards. Ill fated lovers we were; a real Greek tragedy.

  “Sean, seriously, how are we going to talk about whatever it is you need to talk about in public?”

  “It's called discretion, Ruby. Perhaps tonight you'll learn some,” he whispered into my ear. My skin tingled instantly.

  When we got to the place, I was glad to see it almost empty. We went straight back to a table in the corner that was somewhat isolated from the rest. I ordered beverages as per our agreement and brought them back to our seat. My tea was too hot to drink, so I cupped the mug in my hands and awaited the bad news. Sean took a huge swig of his coffee, completely unfazed by the temperature of it before he started.

  “Why do you always assume the worst when I come around, Ruby?” he asked, sounding amused.

  “I don't,” I countered. “At least I didn't, as in past tense. I used to just think it was odd that you would show up places, then I found it charming. Once I realized exactly what you were...I'd say that's when things started going downhill a bit. Now I know you wouldn't risk being around me unless there was something earthshaking going on.”

  “Downhill a bit? So we haven't hit the valley below just yet then, eh?” he asked before another big swig of coffee. “So tell me, what brought you home so late on a work night?”

  “Peyta and I worked late. I dropped her off. I was just getting back from bringing her home,” I said before realizing what he was doing. I frowned at him when I put it together. He smiled into his mug in response. “Hey! Don't start with me. If you want to know things, don't be acting all sneaky about asking them. If you want to know where I've been, just ask. I have nothing to hide.”

  “You're cute when you're angry.”

  “What do you want, Sean, really?” I asked, flustered and frustrated. “Cooper's going to start to worry soon if I don't get home.”

  His eyes flashed at the mention of Cooper's name.

  “Have plans for the evening, do you two?”

  “Getting annoyed...,” I said, overemphasizing the words as I drummed my fingers on the table.

  “Fine. Text him so he's at ease. Then you and I can spend some uninterrupted time together.”

  “My phone is dead.”

  “Use mine.”

  “I don't know his number.”

  “I do.”

  “And why is that?” Silence. “Why do you freakishly know everything?” I asked, my irritation growing.

  “Because he gave it to me.”

  Well played, Ruby.

  “Oh,” I said sheepishly. “Okay.”

  I took his phone and sent Cooper a text explaining where I was and that everything was fine; I'd be home soon.

  “Everything settled?” he asked over the rim of his cup. There was something oddly sexual about the way he drank coffee. I took immediate interest in the picture on the wall beside him.

  “Yep.”

  “Good,” he replied, soaking in his victory. “So tell me what you've been up to lately.”

  “Why don't you just ask Cooper since you're such good friends, sharing phone numbers and all.”

  “I'd rather hear it from you.”

  “Let's see, I work, I frequent Boston even though you don't want me to and think the boys will kill me on sight if they catch me there. I avoid Ronnie like the plague because she's pissed and she scares the shit out of me. I keep an eye on Cooper just to be sure he doesn't fall off the wagon. I worry constantly about Scarlet, the PC, and that freaky murder that happened in the city. I don't sleep, I rarely eat, and I have to keep all of it under wraps so Peyta, who happens to think this whole newfound world she's in is the cat's pajamas, doesn't see this for what it is.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “A curse, Sean. It's a curse,” I lamented under my breath. “They're going to find a way to get rid of me eventually. You try living with that monkey on your back. It sucks.”

  “I don't know how many times I have to tell you that I won't let that happen—”

  “Right. Do you tell me that right before or just after you tell me that you'll take me down yourself if you have to? You can't do both, Sean. You'll eventually have to pick a side. Your ass depends on it too, remember?”

  “I know exactly what my ass depends on, thank you very much. And though I will do what's necessary to fulfill my obligations, I will not do so because of pressure from others, or even a direct order from the powers that be. I will only do it because I see that there is no other option. Tell Scarlet not to force my hand and there won't be any problems.”

  “She knows the rules, Sean. No guest appearances.”

  “Not even a cameo.”

  I looked around to see if anyone had overheard our quiet, but heated argument. The few patrons in there seemed completely fixated on whatever they were doing and the two employees were too busy shamelessly flirting with one another to have seen a car crash through the front entrance. Once I was convinced we were in the clear, I returned my attention to the impossibly green eyes affixed on me.

  “So what have you been up to?” I countered.

  “I've been trying to keep you alive, as always,” he replied. “Not an easy task. When were you down in Boston last?”

  “Two nights ago, I think. Why?”

  “Which way did you come home?”

  “The same way I always come home, on the interstate. Why?”

  “Who was the last person to see you that night?”

  “In Boston? The guy at the Goodwill store. Why?”

  “And was Cooper home when you got back?”

  “No, he was at the library late, studying. Why? And so help me God if you ask me one more question—”

  “I'm just making sure you're keeping appropriate attention on your whereabouts these days. The more detail you have and the more people you surround yourself with at all times, the better.”

  “So this whole get together was really just an alibi pop quiz?”

  He shrugged his shoulder in the most unapologetic way.

  “I'm out,” I said, grabbing my purse. “I don't have time for this shit, Sean, and, quite frankly, you don't either.”

  I didn't have to look back to know he would follow me out; he liked to have the last word as much as I did. I hadn't quite made it to the door when the news program on the TV caught my attention. More information about the murder of the woman in the alley had been leaked to the press, and they had an entire segment devoted to all the gory details. Sean was stopped in his tracks by it too. We stood just feet apart, st
aring at the newscast in complete silence. Before it finished, I broke away; I couldn't handle anymore rehashing of an event I was already too familiar with. I made it out the door and a couple of buildings down before Sean strode up next to me, so close that his arm rubbed against mine.

  “Somebody better start fucking explaining why I just saw a report on the news describing how that woman's wounds look like they were inflicted by an animal,” Sean growled into his cell phone. “I don't care how preoccupied you've been. Are you forgetting your job? This should have been cleaned up right after it happened. Now we've got a royal clusterfuck on our hands.”

  I could hear a man on the other end getting louder as he presumably tried to defend his ball dropping. Sean was having none of it.

  “No, you listen to me. I don't care who's to blame. I just want it fixed. Now!” he continued, the anger rolling off of him in tsunami sized waves. “And, so help me, Jer, if this happens again, it'll be your ass.”

  He hung up the phone and said nothing—he was fuming. We walked in silence as he tried to calm himself and I tried to slow my mind that raced frantically through scenes of the madman's attack on that innocent woman. It appeared that the stress and importance of Sean's job was wearing on him. What had become my daily norm was wearing on me. Our frustration had become our common bond.

  “I'm so tired, Sean. I'm so tired of all of this,” I whispered.

  Startling me, he grabbed my elbow in his hand from behind and jerked me into the opening of the nearest alley. My back was pressed uncomfortably against the brick facade only moments before he crammed his face in mine.

  “I know you are, Ruby, but there is much at stake, and you need to put on those big girl panties that you love to talk about so much and deal—deal with it, deal with life, and deal with me. I know you're hurting. You think I like that? I don't, but if hurting you keeps you alive, I'll do it time and time again. You can hate me for that all you want; I'm tired of apologizing for the decisions I have to make, the job I have to do, and the past I can't escape. You're not the only one with problems, nor are you the only one less than pleased with the hand you've been dealt.”

  He spoke low and in my ear, and the sound lulled me slightly, even though his message was jarring. When he pulled back to look me in the face, I felt sleepy and unstable, like the feeling you have when you jump off the table too quickly following a long massage. It took me a moment to sober up.

  When I looked at his face, I saw his eyes had darkened as they always did when his emotions intensified, good or bad. I wanted to say something clever to get the last jab in, but I decided against it, thinking my lack of response would be far more poignant. I walked away instead.

  Do you ever tire of running from your battles? I'm exhausted from watching you do it.

  “Shut up,” I muttered under my breath.

  “You can't run from everything in your life, Ruby. Eventually, you'll have to stand and fight.”

  “What the fuck? Are you two in cahoots or something? What's with the sideline psychoanalysis?” I snarled. Being overly defensive was a reflex I hadn't reprogrammed. “I'm well aware of that Sean. I'm just choosing not to fight you.”

  “Smart,” he replied quietly. “I'm not a fight you want, nor am I the enemy. You'd be wise to remember that.”

  “Like I could forget if I wanted to, Sean,” I retorted. “You won't let me.”

  We were nearly to my building, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Cooper could be a nag, but generally he knew when to lay off. Sean didn't.

  “I don't want to fight either, Ruby,” he said with an air of exhaustion.

  “Then we need to stay away from each other, because the sad reality of all of this, Sean, is that it's the only way to avoid it,” I told him, coming to a stop just feet before the entrance to my apartment. I wanted to make a point and looking Sean in the eyes generally worked. I rarely ever saw anyone do it.

  “I can't,” he replied, his expression pained.

  “Can't what?”

  “Stay away.”

  “Yes, you can.”

  “No, I can't.”

  “Fine,” I sighed, walking over to unlock the door.

  “Ruby,” he growled, whipping me around to face him. His eyes were as dark as I'd ever seen them. “I can't because Stavros is dead. They keep dying, and I can't do anything to stop it. If I can't keep them alive, I'm going to damn well keep you alive.”

  “Another one...,” I whispered, the blood leeching from my face.

  “Yes. I needed to know where you were,” he said, scratching the back of his head before pulling his hair in frustration. “Dammit! Why can't you just stay home. These holes in your alibi are making this impossible. They waste so much time focusing on your guilt that they aren't doing their jobs—then I spend all my time defending you. There are real killers out there, and they clearly have no intentions of stopping...FUCK!”

  “I'm sorry...I didn't know,” I said quietly, resting my hand lightly on his arm.

  “Well now you do.”

  Tension and awkwardness surrounded us as we stood outside my door. It was par for the course with us.

  “I'll try to do better,” I said, staring at my shoes. “I want you to catch whoever is doing this as much as you do, Sean.”

  “For your own preservation, you should,” he replied, trying to take the harshness out of his tone. “I'll see you soon.”

  He pulled away from me quickly before disappearing across the street and down an alley without another word. I took a cleansing breath and sighed heavily; I hated how we were, but didn't know how to effectively change it. I longed for lighter times of him showing up unannounced and me being obliviously taken by his charm, his wit, and his unparalleled looks. My new reality was tension filled interrogations polluted by his anger, his frustration, and his conflicted emotions.

  I opened the main entrance and locked it behind me. I still wasn't batting one thousand at that, but I'd learned over the previous months that locking that door could be the difference between life and death. After I flipped on the light, I made my way upstairs. Just as I was about to step up onto the landing, a piercing pain shot through my head. I collapsed on the stairs, falling down to the bottom in a flaccid heap.

  When I came to, Cooper was standing over me, shaking me.

  “Are you okay? Jesus, Ruby...what's going on?” he shouted, looking panicked.

  “It's happening again. We have to find her,” I said, sounding distant and detached.

  “Find who? What are you talking about?” he asked. “Did you hit your head?”

  “He's going to kill her too, Cooper. We have to stop him.”

  He stopped for a moment to really look at me. He saw that I didn't have a head injury, but that I was scared to death of something. He eventually put two and two together.

  “The man from your dream...”

  “He'll never stop, Cooper. I can feel it. He'll never stop until he gets his revenge.”

  “How do we find him?”

  Scarlet growled deep within me.

  Let me out and I'll show you the way...

  “Bad idea,” I said aloud, reflexively staring down at my naked ring finger.

  “What's a bad idea?” Cooper asked, sounding more confused than ever.

  “Scarlet. She wants me to let her out...she says she can find him.”

  “No, no, no. You know what Sean said about that. You'll be taken out with no questions asked if one of them sees you.”

  Then the girl dies...

  “I know, I know...,” I yelled, answering both of them at once. I grabbed my head in my hands and pulled at my hair in frustration. The catch twenty-two I was in had fatal consequences any way you turned. I looked out the windowed door to the street to avoid Cooper's questioning gaze. Across the road stood the answer to the conundrum. For a brief moment, standing directly under the streetlamp was my not-so-dreamy man, caked in blood. He smiled at me and mouthed “Hello, Ruby” as a red drop spilled down his chin—t
hen he vanished.

  “It's too late,” I whispered, staring blankly out the window. “She's dead.”

  A grim and sobering reality availed itself to me that night. My visions weren't premonitions or warnings at all. They were captive audience, front row seats to watch the actions of a serial killer live and in living color.

  And I couldn't do a thing about it.

  2

  The body count was rising. Three women dead, and another PC brother murdered; it had only been a week. Overall, it was a tie: three boys and three girls, if you counted the two previous PC members who'd been taken out a couple of weeks earlier. Accusing PC fingers continued to point my way, at least for the murders of the men. They hadn't tried to tag the women on me yet, but I was certain that would only be a matter of time.

  For each woman that was murdered, I had a similar graphic vision of what was happening, but with each incidence they intensified. I could hear the attacker's thoughts more clearly, feel his emotions more succinctly, but never could tell exactly what he was after, or why he chose those victims. “Revenge” was the only thing he ever said. With all the connection I seemed to have to him, the only thing that was clear to me was that he wasn't playing with a full bag of marbles.

  “Did you read the paper?” Cooper asked hesitantly.

  “No point...I already know what the front page news is,” I replied, trying to keep the sourness out of my voice. “Do they have any leads?”

  “Doesn't say. You'd probably have to know someone on the force to get information like that though, and I don't think you need to go around looking too interested in these murders. The PC is already starting to think you look good for them, you don't need the humans on your ass too.”

  “You been talking to Sean again?”

  He shrugged and dropped his gaze back to the article he was reading about the most recent murder. I really didn't need to read it; it was already playing on a loop in my mind.