Agony And Ecstasy The Marcy Series Book 3

Book 3

by

Linda Burson

Published by

CLASS ACT BOOKS

121 Berry Hill Lane

Port Townsend, Washington 98368

www.classactbooks.com

Copyright  2016 by Linda Burson

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

ISBN: 978-1-938703-88-1

Credits

Cover Artist: Mallory York

Editor: Trudy Myers

Copy Editor: Anita York

Printed in the United States of America

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To those whose support and friendship is unconditional

Acknowledgements

I’d like to thank Class Act Books for their continued help and support in publishing my Marcy Series, including my editor Trudy Myers, copyeditor Anita York, and cover artist Mallory York.

I’d also like to thank Owen Conflenti and Aaron Hatin from Cloudbreak Creative for producing a wonderful Book Trailer for me to showcase my first book, Rage. And as always, I’d like to say thank you to my husband, Tony, and daughters, Amanda & Kayla for their constant support and love.

Chapter 1

I’m still feeling that deep, emotional, hot kiss that Brad left on my lips outside Grand Central Station when I arrive at Cold Spring Harbor train station. Still distracted, I slip into my car and drive to Coffee, Tea, & Treats to park. I couldn’t tell him about my engagement to Liam… I just couldn’t. I’m not sure if the reason is because I don’t want to hurt him, if I’m still not ready to release him, or because I know I can’t give him information about Liam without him wanting to know more about him. For now though, Brad has solved my problem. He has released me until I’m ready to make a decision. Now, I have to find the right time and circumstances to inform him of this decision.

I walk to the Lucky Tavern from my parking lot to meet Sue Ellen for drinks. I told her I’d be back by 6:00, and it’s just about that time now. I see SE, as we call her, already sitting at the same table we sat at the last time we were here. She waves to me as I enter. Just as I’m about to sit down, our usual waitress, Missy, comes over carrying Pomegranate Martinis and places them on the table.

Here ya go, ladies.

Now that’s what I call service, Missy.

SE said she was waiting for you and asked if I could get ’em ready for 6:00. I’m guessing you two ladies had a hard day.

You could say that. On the other hand, it seems like all my days recently have been hard. I’m waiting for life to calm down just a little.

I hear ya, Marcy. Trust me; there are days when I’d like to join you ladies.

Anytime you’re free, you’re welcome to, Missy, I offer.

Okay, Marcy, spill. You look like you’ve been crying, SE utters with concern.

Crap, really? I can’t believe you can still tell. Is that what Missy meant when she said it looked like we had a hard day?

Probably. Your eyes are bloodshot, and you look drained.

SE, what the hell have I done to myself? I shake my head before I down my first martini.

Jeez, Mar. I can see you’re not gonna be able to drive home.

I doubt it, SE. I’ve already had two drinks with Brad in the city.

Brad? Who’s Brad?

That’s right. I never told you my boyfriend/fiancé and ex-boyfriend/fiancé’s names that night you were at my house and I ranted about my life.

No, you didn’t. You described everything pretty quickly, if you remember.

Yet, I also remember you got quite a bit of the info, even though I sped through it at the speed of sound.

You wanna tell me which one Brad is?

All right, SE—same rules apply. It needs to be kept quiet.

I understand, Marcy. You can count on me.

Brad was my boyfriend for two and a half years. He asked me to marry him in May and three days later, he broke the engagement and my heart.

Three days? What the hell happened?

I explain. She, of course, like everyone else, can’t believe it. I continue to disclose the rest to her about his personal issue and how it’s settled now. I tell her he wants to ask me to marry him again, according to Jill, but I’m engaged to Liam, whom no one has met so no one except Jill knows it. Except for you now, SE. So guess what?

I know, Marcy, I know. Shush!

I nod. I go on to explain what happened in the city with Brad, and how he left it up to me to contact him when I’m ready to resume our relationship. Hence, the reason I’m sitting here getting drunk with her.

Marcy, I’m sorry; how awfully confusing for you. I had enough problems being in love with one man; I don’t wanna think about having those emotions for two men.

There ya go. The crux of my problem.

I wanna get drunk with you, I feel so bad for you.

SE, you’re my kind of woman. Let’s do it.

She calls Missy over for two more of the same while Aretha Franklin sings It Was You.

That’s right, Liam. You made me love you. It was you who made me love you. It’s all your fault! We drink those and two more after that.

Susie E, I’m officially drunk. I have to say even though alcohol’ssss a depressant, the pain is slightly less.

I wish I had the answer for you, Marce. I really, truly do. I don’t know if I’m thinking clearer now, being drunk, or not. What’d ya think?

Susie Q E, I think you’re very clear. Call Jill and tell her ta get over here. When SE reaches Jill, we scream into the phone telling her to join us at the tavern.

Goodness, you two are wasted. We hear her shout to Mark. Mark, you need to take me to the tavern. The girls need me.

Yay, Jill! SE and I yell. While we wait for Jill, we have two more drinks. We order one for Jill, to be ready in fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes is enough time, right, SE?

~ * ~

Jill, come over here, girl. We miss you.

Yep, you two are drunk, Jill says when she reaches our table.

Missy comes over carrying Jill’s drink. Who’s driving you ladies home tonight?

Oh, no… I don’t know, Missy, I say. Jill, who’s driving us home?

Mark is. He’s parking the car now.

Really? He’s coming in, too? Super! What about the kiddies?

They’re both at friend’s houses tonight.

Wow, they got better fast from being sick.

You know kids; they rebound quickly. You’d never know they were sick all week. Besides, I kept them home yesterday for extra caution. They were mostly better. You don’t think they’d miss a birthday party sleepover with their friends, do you?

Awesome. Mark! I yell as I see him entering the tavern. Jill, can I hug and kiss your husband?

Sure, Marce, knock yourself out. Hey, how many do I need to catch up?

You can’t catch up with Marcy, Jill, SE says. She started drinking in the city with Brad.

Brad, huh? How’d that go, Marcy?

Mark, your wife says I can hug and kiss you. Is that all right with you?

Marcy, I never turn down an offer like that from a beautiful woman, drunk or sober. Have at me.

I stand, barely, and grab onto Mark. I give him a kiss right on the lips and put my arms around his neck and hug him. By the way, thank you immensely for repairing my bedroom walls. You, my handsome fellow, are the best.

You, my beautiful woman, are quite welcome. I give him one last hug and kiss him again on the lips.

Jill, your husband has nice soft lips.

Okay, Marcy, Mark pacifies. Let’s sit down now, sweetie. Come on. Here ya go.

Marcy, SE says I can’t catch up to you with drinks ’cause you had two in the city with Brad.

Yeah, I did. I’ll have to tell you what happened.

Missy is back with Mark’s beer. Marcy, Mark asks, I hear you had a nice trip away. Where’d ya go?

Unfortunately, I have to lie about who I went to see, but I basically tell him what I did during that weekend, except I replace Liam with my old college friend, Jenna. After an hour discussing my trip, I delve into the story about what happened with Brad this afternoon. I’m getting ready to explain to them how Brad ended our conversation when I hear Carole King sing Natural Woman, and I can’t help but sing. Apparently, the whole bar gets quiet and is listening to me. When the song is over, I hear hoots, hollers, and clapping. My eyes get wide. I slowly turn my head around to look behind me because I’m facing the corner outside window. All eyes are on me. I try to bury my head into my shoulders as I wave to everyone and turn back toward the window. Jill, SE, and Mark are smiling at me.

Nice. I enjoyed that. Maybe you should get an evening job entertaining here, Marcy, Mark suggests.

Thanks, Mark. I’ll pass. It’s obvious I’ve had too much to drink. Why didn’t someone shut me up? I didn’t realize I was singing that loud. What happened to all the noise in here?

It quieted down to listen to you. You sing really well, SE says.

I’m not very comfortable being on display, I admit.

Missy comes over to our table. Hey, Marcy, there are a couple gentlemen who’d like to buy you a drink. I brought you the same. They wanna know if you’ll sing another song. My boss, Henry, thinks we should have an open mike night now because of you. What’d ya think of that? You’re the influence for it, and trust me, that’s a compliment.

Great, Missy. Thanks. I’m embarrassed now. I think those men wanna buy me a drink ’cause they realize I’m drunk and might be an easy target, but I’ve got my hands full with enough men right now. I turn around and raise my glass to them and nod to say thanks.

Don’t worry, Marcy. I told them they were barking up the wrong tree, but they said they still wanted to buy you a drink.

Thanks, Missy, I appreciate your efforts.

Marcy, SE calls out. Um, Marcy. I look at her. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those gentlemen are coming this way.

Oh, no, they’re not! I whisper in a panic.

It’s okay, Marcy, Jill responds. We won’t leave you alone.

Thank you, guys.

The two men stroll over to our table and greet us. Hello, ladies and gentleman. Do you mind if we join you? This seems to be the best table in the house. I’m Bill, and this is my friend Walt.

We all say hello, and Mark tells them that we’re actually having a private party. They start to get a little belligerent and say they just want to say hello and meet the voice at the table. They pull up a couple of chairs and join us. Mark starts to get up, but Jill grabs his arm to sit him back down.

So, where are you gentlemen from? Mark asks, gritting his teeth. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.

We live upstate. We were in Manhattan for business. You all from around here?

Yes, we are, Mark answers.

So, you’re the singer? the one named Bill asks, looking at me. What’s your name?

No, I’m not a singer. I like that song and haven’t heard it for a while. I guess I got carried away. I didn’t mean to entertain the bar. I had a few drinks too many, probably, but thank you for this one. Sorry I disturbed you.

Well, you have a beautiful voice, and you didn’t bother us at all. I don’t think we were the only two impressed. If you’re not a singer, what do you do? Bill asks.

I operate a small business. So what business are you in? I want to try to change the subject away from me.

We’re in computer software, Bill answers.

You gentlemen have a long drive ahead of you if you’re going upstate, I say.

We’re staying here at an Inn for tonight. We concluded our business today and decided to spend the night. We’ll be driving back tomorrow. So, Mark, is one of these lovely ladies your girlfriend or wife, or are you the bodyguard? Walt inquires.

Both, Mark answers. Tonight I’m lucky enough to have three girls.

Bill comments, "Well, you’re a very lucky man indeed, Mark. Is that why you all came to the Lucky Tavern?"

We try to giggle politely and nod, admiring their stupid joke, and Mark responds. I thought it was appropriate. Wouldn’t you boys come here if you were lucky enough to be with three lovely ladies as these?

I can’t say I blame ya, Walt comments.

They chat with Mark about his business for a while even though Mark looks very perturbed, but Jill won’t let him get rid of these guys. I’m sure she doesn’t want Mark getting into a fight, but Mark seems like he’d love to be in a fight, especially with these two guys. Bill tries to talk to me again about my business. I promptly excuse myself to go to the ladies room. SE decides to come with me. Jill and Mark stay at the table. Missy and Henry give us a look as we enter the ladies room. Within a few minutes, Missy comes in to see us.

You guys all right over there? Those two men bothering you? I know Mark’s there, but still…

I don’t know, Missy. I’m getting a bad vibe from them, I tell her. Have you ever seen them in here before?

No, I don’t remember ever seeing them before. Henry asked me to check with you and see if you wanted him to call the police.

What would you tell them? There’s nothing they can do. They’re just sitting and talking. They haven’t done anything, but I’m uncomfortable. God, I wish my boyfriend was here. They have a car. I just hope they don’t follow me or Sue Ellen home. She and I are both alone.

I’ll tell Henry. Maybe he can call in a personal favor and just have his cop friend come in to visit, you know, just hang out, Missy suggests.

If he can do that, I’d appreciate it, Missy. Mark’s taking us home, but I want to make sure they don’t follow him and see where Sue Ellen or I live.

Missy leaves to go talk to Henry. SE and I take a couple of deep breaths and hang out in the ladies room for a few minutes. When we leave the restroom, we see Henry on the phone, and he nods at us. We walk back to our table slowly. A few of the patrons stop us to chat a minute. They know us from my café, Coffee, Tea, & Treats. Mostly everyone in here is a customer of mine. They compliment me on my singing and say I should entertain in the shop. A couple of the guys I know who frequent my business ask me if I need any help and if those two men are bothering us. I tell them they’re making us a little uncomfortable, but they haven’t done anything wrong. We don’t want to make trouble. They say to give them the word and they’ll help us. I thank them, and SE and I return to the table.

You girls are popular in here. Seems like you know everyone. You come here that often? Bill asks.

Sue Ellen replies. No, we don’t. They know us because we all live around here. We look out for each other in this town.

This sounds like a friendly place to live. Walt, we should make an effort to come by here more often. We go to the city at least once a month.

I agree, Bill. I think next time we have business down this way, we should come back. You know, Mark, if you wanna take your wife home, Bill and I’ll be happy to escort these pretty ladies home. My eyes bug out of my head, as does Sue Ellen’s.

Mark looks at them both and firmly states, "That’s okay, fellows. These ladies are my responsibility tonight, so I’ll take them home."

Oh, no! I shout. Look at the time. It’s 10:25. I’ve got to check my phone for messages. I’m sorry, everyone. My boyfriend has probably been trying to reach me this whole time.

Jill adds, Oh, Marcy, that’s right. You know how he gets when he can’t get hold of you. He worries like crazy. As Mark and I know, we wouldn’t wanna make him mad.

Bill and Walt grin like the evil villain in a campy movie. Bill says, Oh yeah? So, Marcy, where’s this tough boyfriend of yours? Why isn’t he here with you?

He’s working right now, but he’s supposed to tell me when he’s due back.

Does he know you’re out in a bar getting drunk with your friends without him? Bill remarks.

He knows everything I do. I always tell him. He trusts me implicitly.

He trusts you? Whoa, either that says a lot about you or him. They both heckle. Bill continues, If I had a beautiful woman like you, I wouldn’t like her out at a bar getting drunk.

I consider saying something snide about that comment, but my common sense says to let it go. It’ll make things worse.

I hunt for my phone in my purse. Actually, Liam did call and text. I have two texts from him. The first one says,

Hey, baby. Can u video chat soon? I’m thinking about 30 minutes.

That text was at 8:00 p.m. my time. Since I didn’t text back, he wrote again.

Hi sweetie, still waiting to hear from u. I miss u, and love u.

That one came in at 8:45.

Now I have voice messages to check.

Marcy, where are u, honey? I’m a little concerned. U never answered my texts. It’s not like u. Call me, baby.

This message was left at 9:30 when ‘our company’ joined us. The second voice message says,

Marcy, if ur out having fun with ur friends, that’s fine. But please call me. I don’t like to worry about u like this. I have an uncomfortable feeling. I need to know ur alright. If u don’t have time to talk to me tonight, that’s fine. Just call me and tell me ur okay, please. I love u, baby.

He left that message at 10:00 when our company at the table was getting more obnoxious. Interesting he has concerns about me when I’m feeling uncomfortable. We’re more in tune with each other than I realized. I dial his number right then and there. He picks up immediately.

Marcy, you okay?

Hi, babe. Um, yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry I worried you. I didn’t realize the time.

Bill and Walt are shouting in the background, asking if I’m really talking to my boyfriend.

Is this just a brush-off? Who’d she really call? Bill bellows. They look at Sue Ellen when they ask this.

Liam can obviously hear them, because he says, Who the hell is that, and what’d they mean is this a brush-off?

It’s fine, sweetie. I’m at the tavern with Jill and Sue Ellen, and Mark’s here with us.

"Did ya tell him you’re at the ‘Lucky’ Tavern, Marcy?" Bill and Walt roar with laughter.

Christ, Marcy. Are those guys friends of yours?

No, babe, not at all.

"Son of a bitch, so they are bothering you, aren’t they?"

Yes, you said it.

Fuck. I hate that I’m not there. Damn it. How you gettin’ home?

Mark and Jill.

Those bastards better not follow him. Put him on the phone.

Babe, what are you doing?

Marcy, I wanna talk to Mark, now. Put him on the damn phone.

You’ve never met. Please be nice.

Honey, I’m very happy Mark’s there with you. I’ll be very nice, I promise, okay?

Okay. Mark, he wants to talk to you. I whisper in Mark’s ear, Just don’t say his name out loud, please.

Mark whispers back, Is it Liam? I nod.

Mark here… Good… Uh um… Me, too… Okay… Uh huh… Yes, I see… No… Sure… I understand. Not a problem, bro. I’ll take care of it… Yeah, it crossed my mind… Partially, why?… Okay… Oh, yeah… Sure… Yep, I can do that… Done… Absolutely. Talk to you soon. Mark is finished talking. I extend my hand to reach for the phone, but he hands it to Bill instead.

Mark, what the hell? I shout. Mark gets up from the table and goes over to the bar and starts talking to Henry and Missy.

Bill jokes, Really? The boyfriend wants to speak with me?

Walt laughs. They think this whole thing is funny for some reason, but if Liam wants to have a word with them, I can tell you it will not be a laughing matter. I’m wondering what the hell Liam’s going to do over the phone.

Bill is smiling while he answers my phone. Hello there, boyfriend of Marcy. You’re missing all the fun. His smile is as wide as a martini glass and then it disappears. Bill looks over at the bar at Mark. His smile reappears briefly and starts to diminish until it’s completely gone and there’s not only no trace of a smile, but the look of fear emerges. Everyone’s eyes are on Bill, and Walt’s still slightly grinning. When he sees that his friend doesn’t look well, he loses his grin and asks Bill what’s going on.

Bill, what’s he saying? Is it really the boyfriend? Bill swats his hand in the air toward Walt, motioning for him to be quiet. He looks back over at Mark and sees a piece of paper in Mark’s hand. I see Mark on the phone. There’s a couple of minutes of silence on Bill’s part. Then we hear one word replies emerge from Bill. Yes… Yes… No… Yes… Okay… Yes, I understand.

Oh, no, not the ‘say you understand’ bit. That’s when Liam really means business. When he asks the question, ‘Do you understand?’ he wants a reply out loud.

Marcy, here’s your boyfriend. I’m sorry, but we have to leave now. Thank you for your company. It was a pleasure meeting all of you. Have a good night.

Bill gets up, and Walt is sitting there stunned. Bill tells him to get up, it’s time to go. Walt looks confused, but gets up and follows his friend. They rush up to the bar next to Mark while I get back on the phone with Liam. They sign something and then depart.

Hey, babe. Is everything okay? I ask Liam.

It is now. Are they leaving, honey?

Yes, I believe they are. I’m watching them stand next to Mark at the bar. Now they’re walking out. What the heck? Liam, how in the world did you do that? How could you possibly get rid of them?

I have my ways. I do what I have to do to protect what’s mine.

God, Liam, you never cease to amaze me. You can even take care of me from far away. Maybe you’ll tell me sometime when you’re back how you did that?

Maybe. Now, you let Mark take you home. When you get there and get locked up, text me so we can chat on the computer for a few minutes before I need to go out, okay?

Okay, honey, I will.

Mark comes back to the table and sits down. "Marcy, I’m impressed with your boyfriend, or fiancé, or whoever he is. He’s a very interesting man. I can’t wait to meet him."

Jill and Sue Ellen are shaking their heads. Jill asks, What the hell just happened here?

Marcy’s boyfriend’s plan worked.

You knew about the plan, Mark? I question.

At least my part. I don’t know what he said to him on the phone, but I did what he told me to do, and that’s all it took.

SE asks, What exactly did you do, Mark? You just went over to the bar and talked to Henry.

Mark, I reason, Liam told you to ask Henry for their names from their credit card, didn’t he?

Yes, Marcy. How’d ya know?

I chuckle. Because I know Liam. He must’ve scared them to death. My big strong hero. He protects me from wherever he is. The consensus is mutual; all three of them say they cannot wait to meet Liam, and I tell them I can’t wait for them to meet him, either.

Marcy, SE states, Please, when you find out, you’ve gotta tell me how he did that.

I’ll be honest, SE; I don’t think he’ll tell me. Liam’s a very private person, and he’s good at what he does. That’s all I can say.

Damn, Marcy. He’s a handy man to have around in a crisis, Jill declares.

We pay our tab and leave the tavern. Mark says the car’s not parked far if we want to walk. I see Mark looking around as we head to the car. Liam must have told him to make sure there’s no one around that could follow him as he drives us home. I decide two pair of eyes are better than one, so I keep watch as well.

Mark drops SE off first, but I notice he takes a different route to her house. It’s a bit of an awkward way to go, but it’s easier to see if someone is following you. Jill and SE don’t notice because they’re busy chatting back and forth. I, however, have been trained by the best, so I take note of his anomalous drive. After Mark makes sure SE’s in the house and safe, he gets back in the car and we begin the atypical drive to my house. He walks me to my door and tells me to go inside and lock it. He says he isn’t leaving until he hears the locks and chain on the door. I do as he asks and thank him, shouting through the door. He goes over to my large picture window and knocks on it. I jump a little, but then realize it has to be Mark. I walk over to where he’s standing on my porch. He tells me to lower the shades on the window. I agree that it’s a good idea; so I do. I hear Mark walk off my porch after my shades are drawn.

I double check my other two doors on the first floor and head upstairs to my bedroom. I get the cell phone I use only for Liam and text him that I’m back safe and sound. He tells me to go to my computer. I turn it on, and as soon as I do, I hear it ringing with a phone call from Liam.

Hi, sweetie, I greet Liam.

Hey, my girl. Did you lock all the doors and pull the shades down on the large window?

Yes, my worrier; I did. I wondered why Mark went over and knocked on my window. You told him to make me do that, didn’t you?

Yes, I did. I know you don’t always close those; I don’t like you leaving them open at night, especially when you’re alone."

I know. You’re right. I should always close them. The main rooms downstairs can be seen from the porch and part of the street. Thank you for helping us this evening. I wasn’t sure how we were going to get rid of them. Mark wasn’t going to let them sit down, but Jill didn’t want any trouble and she stopped him.

He was right. Letting them join you was a mistake. He knew it, that’s why he tried to put a stop to it, but women…

Oh, women now. It’s our fault.

Yes, usually it is. You’re always trying to keep the peace.

I did have offers from other guys I knew in the bar to help us. They said to let’em know if we needed them. I think we would’ve been okay. Henry, the owner, said he was calling a cop friend of his to see if he’d stop by. I think I saw him arriving when we were ready to leave. But with all the help in the area, it takes my man from very far away to do the job.

I’d rather you not be indebted to any of those men.

Why? Do you really believe they’d think I owed them a favor if they helped me?

I don’t know, but I don’t like to take chances like that when you’re involved.

I reach my hand up to the screen. I miss you so much. I hate this. How are things going, anyhow?

Much better than I’d imagined. It’s definitely going to be over much sooner than I anticipated. I miss you, baby. You have no idea how much. I wish I could talk to you longer, but I’ve gotta get going. Are you sure you’re all right?

Yes, I’m fine. I didn’t see any cars behind us when Mark brought me home.

Well, do me a favor. Turn off the lights in the bedroom and look out front and make sure there aren’t any cars parked out there that look like they shouldn’t be there. Also, put the light on in the backyard and make sure everything out there’s clear. Please do that now while I’m still talking to you.

Okay, I’ll be right back. I do what Liam asks and check out my bedroom window. I look up and down the street and I can’t see anything. I then turn on the lights out back from the kitchen window and peer outside. Everything looks kosher. I pull down the blinds on the door and even on the dining room window. Now if anyone wants to snoop around, they can’t see inside the house. I run back up to my office.

Everything looks good. I even closed the blinds in the kitchen and dining room.

Good girl. That makes me feel better. Okay, now, get your pistol, load it, and put it under the other pillow.

Really?

Yes, Marcy. Just humor me, okay? I really doubt they’re around, but just in case, I want you to keep it next to you. Do it for me, okay, baby?

Okay. I open my desk drawer and pull it out. I load the magazine into the pistol and show Liam I have it."

Good. Now, the last thing I want you to do is leave your computer on and keep your cell phones next to the bed on your nightstand. I love you, angel girl. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.

I love you, Liam. Be careful, as always. I’ll be at Jill’s tomorrow night for dinner, but then I’ll be back home after that. If I miss you on the cell by some chance, you can call their home number, if you’d like.

Okay, if I can’t reach you, that’s what I’ll do. Give me the number. After I give Liam Mark and Jill’s home number and their cell numbers, too, I blow him kisses, and we disconnect.

Because of everything that happened this evening, I didn’t get to tell him about seeing Brad and what he said to me. I wonder if I should even mention it to him over the computer or phone when we’re this far apart. It’ll be better if I wait until he returns to tell him. I don’t want him upset now with everything he’s doing out there.

I get ready for bed and do what Liam asked with the phones and the pistol. I turn off my lights and crawl under my covers. I feel a little frightened and still a bit uneasy, but I suppose that’s because those men were creepy. I know I made a mistake accepting their drink. I should’ve declined politely and sent it away. I’ll know never to do that again. Fortunately, I’m exhausted; I fall asleep within minutes.

Chapter 2

I wake screaming in the middle of the night. I call out to Liam and then quickly realize I’m alone. I’m in a state of panic and I can’t breathe. I had a nightmare about something. What was it? Darn, I can’t recall. It was vivid. Why can’t I remember? I was frightened, and I remember feeling helpless and numb, but in pain at the same time. Is that possible? My entire body is shaking. I scan my bedroom and every shadow is making me quiver. Then it hits me; the Glock is under the pillow. I grab for it and sit up in bed, holding the gun while darting my eyes back and forth across the room and into the hallway. I try to listen to see if I hear anything downstairs, but my breathing is heavy; it drowns out the quiet.

I wish Liam were here. I start to cry, and my panic gets worse. What time is it? I wonder if it’s too late to call him. The clock on the nightstand reads 4:45 a.m. That means it’s almost 2:00 his time. He’s still up, isn’t he? What if he’s out somewhere with those horrible murderers, and my phone call disrupts him, and I put him in danger? I can’t call him. I just can’t. But he told me no matter what, he’s always available to me. What do I do? Then I remember Liam told me to leave on my computer. He must have left his on, too. I can call him on that, and if he doesn’t answer, I’ll know he’s still out. I scurry to the second bedroom with the pistol in my hand. I push the call button and I hear ringing. Good, that means his computer’s on, but he doesn’t answer. It finally hangs itself up. I guess he isn’t there after all. My heart sinks into my stomach. I sit in my desk chair a minute or two, afraid to move. Then I decide I’m probably safer in my bedroom. As I stand to leave, my computer starts ringing. It’s him! Liam.

Baby, what’s wrong? Are you all right?

I’m sorry to bother you.

"Marcy, you’re my girl. Don’t say that. You never bother me. Why are you up so early in the morning? What happened?"

I’m scared, I cry out.

Okay, Marcy. Calm down. Ssshhh. Tell me why you’re scared.

Liam, I don’t know. I had a horrible nightmare. It was the worst. I know it, but after I woke up screaming, I couldn’t remember it. It’s like it disappeared. I called for you, but you weren’t here. I’m so frightened. Now I’m crying so hard my tears are blinding me.

Marcy, ssshhh. It’s okay, baby. I see you have the pistol in your hand. Be careful, sweetie. You didn’t hear anything in the house, right? I shake my head. Okay, then put the pistol down with the muzzle facing away from you. Go on. Set it on the desk. I do as he instructs. Good, now take deep breaths, that’s it, in and blow it out. Come on, Marcy. Listen to my voice. Breathe in and hold it a second, now breathe out. Do it again, baby, come on. I keep breathing in deeply and out deeply as he tells me to, and on each intake and outtake my breath shakes. That’s a girl. One more time. All right, are you feeling a little better? I nod slowly. Are you much calmer? I nod again. "Can you remember anything at all about your nightmare? Take your time, relax, and think about it. Close your