Page 84 of Beautiful Deceit
"Oh hell no, you are not getting rid of me," Beau retorts, sounding rather putout.
"What are you talking about? I was just going to tell you I'm on birth control. You don't have to worry." I'm staring at him now, doubtfully, with a brush in my hand. His face softens from the scowl it was in.
"I know," he adds, sounding cocky. "I’ve seen in your cabinets."
"I knew you'd snoop," I taunt.
"Hey, it was right there in my face, saying swimmers welcome." He waves his arm like he's displaying a sign.
"You're such a goof. And if I hadn't been taking it?" I raise my brows in serious question.
“Let’s just say, I’m happy you are.” I don’t know how to respond. I’m still thinking about it into the afternoon.
I swingmy feet after leaving another message with the management company. It's about an hour later when I finally hear back from someone, a young woman that snaps her gum loudly into the phone. She informs me that the unit hasn't sold yet and that they have had a maid and painters in and out while trying to drum up more interest in the expensive unit. She doesn't know if the owner would be willing to sell the entire building, but she said she'd get in contact with them as soon as possible to let them know I'm interested. I make an appointment for this evening to see the apartment and more than likely to put down a deposit if the owner isn't willing to let the building go up for sale.
I end the call, concealing my concern. No one should have been there the time we heard the door slam or last night when both Beau and I heard someone moving around inside.
Beau isn't at allhappy when I share the news that no one should have been downstairs to make the noises we both clearly heard. Soon after telling him, he pulls his phone from his pocket and curses repeatedly.
"What's wrong?" He takes a few moments before answering.
"Nothing," Beau replies, not looking at me.
I turn and walk back to the front of the store, trying to process his reaction. He’s obviously upset about something, the vacant apartment or whatever he saw on his phone. I’m hurt that he is hiding it from me. I've given Beau almost every secret I have. I’ve let him fully into my life, yet he still keeps things from me, things that could directly relate to my situation.
Beau doesn't stayin the back for long. He finds a seat near the front and watches people around him. We've been really busy the past few days. I think word has gotten out that he's been in here a few times, because the new traffic is a bit different then my usual clientele. I swear I saw a man with a camera pointed at us this morning when I was opening up.
Even with the old blue ball cap, I'm sure anyone that came here just because he might show up could tell it’s him. Two young women sitting near the entrance not far from him notice immediately. They lean close to each other, exchanging words. Beau ignores the glances he receives and reaches back. His shirt rises, revealing the toned expanse of his abdomen as he grabs a book off the nearest shelf. He doesn't even look at the title before opening it and angling himself to face the entrance.
The store continues to fill with young women. They start almost circling, giggling, and shoving one another towards Beau. He acts completely oblivious, but the tension in his shoulders and the way his jaw clinches whenever one gets particularly brave, tells another story.
All it will take is one to act, and it will be a total mess.
I walk over to the largest of the groups, "Is there anything I can help you find?" A few shake their heads no, and others reply verbally. "We have a great new release section over here." I point over near the register, hoping some will take interest. "Then, there's the shelf of recommended reads from a few of our regulars. We have everything ranging from teen fiction to world history."
It’s my last-ditch effort to keep them from converging on him. It backfires entirely. Their faces grow agitated, worried I'll make them leave. They look at one another, exchanging knowing glances; they're gearing up for something. The crowd edges closer. I'm lost in the middle.
"Shit," I say as I’m elbowed to the side, nearly kicked out of my own store.
"Beau," I shout over the beginning mumblings that are steadily rising. "Beau, can you go in the back?" The crowd pushes, and the twenty or so women around me begins to frighten me.
Shouts and yells erupt around me as the shoving intensifies.
"Stop!" I hear Beau’s voice boom. "Stop it," he tries again. I feel a hand grab my arm and I instinctively pull away from it. Unfortunately, there is no room to retreat.
"Don't touch me," I try to wiggle free from the strong grasp. I'm pulled back while the group in front of me surges forward. I struggle to get free.
I shout "Stop. Let go!" It doesn't work because the crowd is too loud. My voice isn't being heard over all the others. My cries can’t carry past them.
My panic sets in as two strong arms wrap around my body. I kick back, hoping to dislodge whoever is holding me.
"Beau!" I scream once. An elbow loops around my neck tightly cutting off the sound.
My feet are lifted from the ground, my breath knocked out of me. I’m hauled back further into the store. Before I know it, I’m shoved out the back door into the alley. The door closes, and I finally push free of the stranglehold, but I have no hope of getting back in. I’m trapped. I run, but I’m quickly tackled to the ground. I scream. My breath comes quickly.
Panic floods my body as I try to fight the person on top of me. A hand closes on my mouth, and my head is forced to the ground in a hard crack. Black dots overtake my sight as a hand wraps around my throat, strangling my final scream.
Chapter 25
