"That's a shame for you. A man as smart as you is paid to know all the facts. I bet the Livingstons never factored in me?" Charles smirked.

James shook his head repeatedly. He tried to speak under the gauze of the tape. All that escaped was m.u.f.fled grunts. Charles gave a nod and one of his men walked over and brutally ripped off the tape from the attorney's mouth. James cried out in pain. The adhesive peeled off a bit of facial hair from his upper lip and under his chin. "What the h.e.l.l is going on? Who are you people? Why did you kidnap me?"

Charles stooped to his level. James looked at him, curiously. "Keith Livingston is the reason why."

"Huh? Keith?"

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Charles Wilson, Simone and Kimberly's father. And you, my friend, have the bad fortune to have royally p.i.s.sed me off."

"I can't believe she just gave it to you? Just like that?" Cain said. Simone lay on his chest. He ran his hand up and down her spine and it felt good. She had shared the conversation with Stacy and the subsequent doc.u.ment of freedom that her attorney now had. But even in the telling, she had to admit the whole story sounded unbelievable.

"Well, it took some convincing, sweetie. Here's what I think. She made a copy of that doc.u.ment because she intended to give it all along. Keith is so full of s.h.i.t. Stacy, of all people, should have seen through his bait and switch routine. She just wanted to hear it from me that I would go away and stay gone. Stacy knows Keith better than me, or his parents."

"Wow." Cain shook his head.

"And mostly, she's just crazy and thinks Keith is her destiny. Those two have a history that I don't want to understand. It does break my heart though."

"That he cheated on you, lied to you?" Cain asked.

"No. I've accepted that the man and I should have never happened. It breaks my heart that she's a mother and so d.a.m.n delusional. Can you imagine how that kid will grow up?"

"I have an idea," he said.

Simone's head lifted from his chest. Of course he did. His mother was a thief and an accused murderer. He'd probably seen his fair share of crazy. "Hey," she reached up and stroked his cheek. " I wasn't talking about you. Stacy isn't your mother."

Cain gave her a sad smile.

"I'm serious. And for the record, you turned out perfect."

"It's cool, babe. I get it. And you're right. If this Stacy is more focused on herself than her kid, it'll be tough for the child. Really tough."

Simone sighed. "Well the good news is, Sue will contact Keith's attorney and it's going to be over. I ended it."

"Yes you did." He flipped her over. She laughed at his tickling, bucking underneath him. "You are so smart, s.e.xy and cute. Do you know that?"

"No, keep telling me," she grinned up at him.

His frisky hands, groping her, stopped when his phone rang from across the room. He looked back at his pants crumbled on the floor.

"You have to go back, don't you?" Simone asked.

"Yeah, I think I should. Got a lot going on in Castle Rock right now."

"I understand," she said softly, but she couldn't mask her disappointment. It was always in their parting that she felt how frail her new life and love with him was. She couldn't escape him though. He forced her to look back at him.

"Soon, soon it will be over, sweetheart. I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Cain."

"Trust me. Andrew Hollingsworth's reign of terror is coming to an end. When he's done, so am I. It's the only way I can help Maryanne and help myself. I have to be honest with her. No more lies. I'm going to tell her about the affair."

"Cain?"

"I'm going to do it. Not just for you, for my wife. She deserves to know the truth. Okay?"

She sighed. "Okay."

"Shower? Come join me?" he asked giving her left breast a squeeze.

"In a minute. I need to call my mom. They're probably worried about me."

Cain groaned as he reluctantly released her. He rose from the bed, checked his phone and frowned, but said nothing. He winked at her before going to the bathroom. Simone dropped back on the pillows that smelled of their s.e.x, sweat, and his cologne. She smiled as her body aches reminded her of his loving. "A girl could get used to this," she said to him.

The shower turned on. The water rushing from the spout behind the closed door was a tempting sound. She could envision the spray sending streams down his pecks and over that body she couldn't get enough of. Simone wanted a round two. More loving, and then she'd call home. She needed to squeeze as much as she could out of their time together. Enough in case it was a long wait for the next. Rising, she pulled the sheet with her, wrapping it around her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Then came several knocks to the door. Simone frowned. She looked back at the bathroom, then to the door.

"Simone? Simone Livingston?" a man's voice boomed.

She froze.

"Simone, it's Detective Alverson."

She went to the door, opening it a crack at first, peeking out. "Detective, what on earth are you doing here?"

"Are you okay?" he pushed his way inside. Simone tried to stop him but she could barely keep the sheet up over her nakedness. "Are you alone?" His voice faltered at the sight of Cain's crumpled clothes. He looked back at her, confused. She closed the door.

"What are you doing here? Are you following me?" Simone asked.

"Me? No, um yes, your mom and sister were worried."

"Oh my G.o.d! They called the police on me?" Simone gasped.

"Babe, who are you talking to?" Cain emerged, tying a towel around his waist, wet and dripping on the carpet. He stopped at the sight of the black man with a badge clipped to his belt. Alverson frowned at Cain, and then looked to Simone.

"I thought you were in trouble. You need to call your parents," Alverson said making a hasty retreat for the door.

"Wait! Wait!" Simone stopped him. "Give me a minute to dress. I-" she looked to Cain then back to the detective. "We'll talk."

Alverson shot Cain a glare. He nodded and walked out.

"Who the h.e.l.l is that?" Cain demanded.

"He's a friend," Simone answered.

"Friend?"

"Not that kind of friend. G.o.d, I'm so embarra.s.sed. Look at us and what he must think." Simone put her hand to her brow.

"Who cares what he thinks?"

"Cain, stop, okay? Oh never mind. Let's get dressed. I need to talk to him. "

"For what?" Cain's brows lowered.

"Are you jealous?" Simone chuckled.

Cain looked to the door and then to her. The look he gave her clued her into how far beyond jealous he was. She couldn't believe the caveman territorial thing, not with them. She'd had her fill of that possessive c.r.a.p with Keith. "He's helping me keep Keith out of the way, away from me. He's been watching out for me."

Cain frowned. "Does Keith know him?"

"Huh? No. I mean maybe. I filed my protection order with his help." She picked up her underwear shaking her head. She was truly embarra.s.sed. "Get dressed. I know you have to leave."

"I'm not going anywhere. We can talk to him together."

Simone stopped. "But don't you have to get back?"

"No. Not yet. Besides, there's something to him coming here. I want to know what it is. Something Keith said."

"What?" Simone frowned.

"He asked if I had seen you with a black man."

Simone convinced Cain to pay for their room and let her talk to the detective alone. It wasn't easy. His jealousy was cute but unwarranted. She wasn't going to entertain it. He was the only man for her. h.e.l.l, she was carrying his child. She pushed her way out of the front door and found the officer outside of the bed and breakfast, waiting on her as she asked.

"Hi. Thanks for waiting."

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he said, unable to look at her. "Seems like you're better than I thought."

"Hey," she touched his arm. "You came out here to look for me? That was nice of you."

"Nice? Your husband has lost his mind. He showed up at the station accusing us of having an affair. The man is unraveling. What do you think he would do if he found you with him?" he asked in a terse clipped voice that made her hand drop away.

"Wait a second. Keith did what?" Simone asked.

"Doesn't matter. I'm taking you to your family."

"No you aren't." She stepped out of his reach. "Finish what you were saying. Keith accused us of having an affair? Where is he getting that from?" Simone demanded.

"How would I know? I'm evidently the wrong skin color," Detective Alverson answered.

Simone narrowed her eyes on him. "Don't you stand there and judge me."

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that," the detective answered.

"Go to h.e.l.l. You don't know me or anything about him. I can find my own way home. Thank you very much for your concern." She turned to walk away.

"Simone, wait." He grabbed her hand. "I was out of line. I'm sorry. It's been a strange day, okay? I was worried about you."

"Why?"

"Because you, because I was... you need to be careful. Your husband is obsessed. Things can get out of hand quick. I suggest-"

"Thank you, detective. I'm fine." She removed her hand from his. "Seriously, I appreciate your concern but I know better than anyone what Keith is capable of."

Cain came out of the front doors. He gave the officer a look. Alverson stepped back, eyeing Cain a moment longer and shaking his head. "Fine. Head home, my work is done." He walked off. Simone watched him go.

Cain stepped to her side. "Okay, you are going to tell me why that man looks like he wants to deck me every time I come near you."

Simone frowned, watching Alverson drive off. "I don't know why and I don't care." She turned and smiled. "How about you let me introduce you to my sister, and my mom before you leave?"

"You think that's wise, considering?"

"I don't know what to think anymore. But it's still dark out. Besides, if he found us, Keith can. I'm ready to fight back. How about you?"

Cain smiled. "Me too."

Kim jumped upright on the sofa. She looked around in the darkness, wiping at the drool at the side of her mouth. She'd fallen asleep? What time was it?

Knocking on her front door sounded off again. For years, she'd barely had any visitors. Now her place was Grand Central Station. Half awake, she dragged herself from the sofa. "Simone? Did you forget your key?"

If she had been awake, fully in control of her senses, she would have checked the peephole. Instead she undid the locks and yanked it open.

Kim sucked in a startled breath, her hand going to her throat. "Mathew?"

He gave her that smile that used to stop a nurse in her tracks. He stood before her, dressed as she remembered the day he came to take them sailing. He was s.e.xy in a v-neck black shirt and dark slacks, smelling of spice, male strength, and prowess. His eyes shadowed and twinkled with darkening desire.

"What are you doing here?" Kim asked.

"I heard you were home," he said in a low voice, characteristically sensual. He rested his head against the inside of the door, studying her with his eyes. Kim sucked in her bottom lip. Nervously, she smoothed back her tangles and tugged at her loose fitted shirt. She wanted to see him, needed to see him and had already booked a flight. Now he was there in the flesh, and she felt faint and unsure. She had to suck in two deep breaths to find her voice again.

"Come in."

He walked past her. She closed the door.

"Excuse me." Kim went to the bedroom and checked for her babies. They were in her bed with her mother. She closed the door gently taking another deep breath for bravery before returning. Mathew stood with his hands shoved down into his trouser pockets. He stared at the train set.

"So it arrived," he asked.

"Yeah, came today. I was surprised, Mathew. You really didn't have to do this."

"But I wanted to." He cut her a look that caused her heart to arrest. She stroked the area just above her right breast to keep herself calm. An attack of nerves had her on the edge of confessing it all. How she did love him. How she would stick to the program. How she wanted to try again and go slowly. All of it. But she held back. She ran her tongue over her dry lips, shaking her head in bemus.e.m.e.nt and half frustration. Already, she had 'wants' and the man hadn't even said why he came.

"You look beautiful," he said.