Living Violet (23 page)
“How did it go?” I asked.
He shook his head slowly. “I'm not sure.”
I patted his arm in consolation. “Well, you're still alive, so I guess it went stellar.”
“What did he say to you?” Nadine asked.
Caleb kissed the top of my head, then pulled up a chair to sit across from me. “He asked me what my intentions were. I told him that we were just dating, and it was too early to make any major decisions.”
“See.” I bumped Nadine in the arm.
“He was pretty concerned about our age difference. He called me a cradle robber and a few other names that I didn't understand. Then he said something about you, and then I was completely lost. What exactly is a ten-deroni?”
“The San Francisco treat?” Nadine offered.
I rolled my eyes. “No, that's my dad showing his true age. He and Mom need to let the eighties rest in peace.”
“He wanted to know why I haven't gone to school, and I think he understood my reason.”
“Did you tell him what's going on?” Nadine asked.
“I told him that your mother's date frightened her and probably caused her attack. And that he was creeping around the hospital, and we shouldn't risk anything until she's recovered. He was pretty shocked that your mother didn't take extra precautions. Your mom has a reputation for being a bit paranoid.”
“Understatement of the decade, dude,” I scoffed. “Did you tell him who the mystery date really was?”
Caleb stared at me. “Are you kidding me? The less he knows about this whole thing, the better. I just need him to keep guard around your mother until we handle this.”
I concurred. The last thing anyone needed was my dad to get involved. “So what have you decided?”
“We gotta trap Dad somehow. Maybe drug him again?” Caleb suggested.
“We will see what your brothers say.” Nadine rose from her seat. “I'm going to check on Haden. You two lovebirds talk. You have sorting out to do.” With a knowing smirk, she moved toward the elevators.
Once we were alone, Caleb turned his focus on me. “What's she talking about?”
“She's a-fixin' to get us hitched,” I drawled in my best country accent.
“And what did you say?”
“I said, âNo thank you, I'll just have the salad.'”
Looking down, a wide, face-splitting smile crept forth. “You know, if someone asked me that two months ago, I would have laughed in their face, but now ...”
“But now what?”
His eyes met mine again. “It's still funny.”
I winked. “Right back at ya.”
He held both my hands in his own, his fingers tracing over each knuckle. “Sam, we have plenty of time to sort it all out. I just need to know that you're willing to try.”
“Do I have to answer you now? I can't make decisions like that at the moment. Wait until my mom recovers and your dad is dealt with before I give you my answer.”
“Fair enough. Am I still the champion of your celestial domain?” He tucked in his lips to fend off the laughter.
This guy would never let that go. “For now. You've survived my father's gauntlet. Wear your badge with honor.”
“I will.” Wetting his lips, he pinched his eyes shut. “Sam, I wanna kiss you so bad. My lips are burning.”
Boy, did I know the feeling. I also knew that neither of us was going to do jack about it. Taking his hand, I stood up. “Come on, they've got ice cream in the cafeteria. That should cool you off.”
The prospect of dessert brightened his face. “Really? What kind? You know I have a thing for chocolate.”
“Obviously,” I muttered, leading him to the elevators.
27
T
he next day at work, I was a walking zombie, immune to the electroshock treatment of caffeine and energy drinks.
he next day at work, I was a walking zombie, immune to the electroshock treatment of caffeine and energy drinks.
My head remained plastered against the counter, not caring if Linda walked by, or if the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse needed an iced latté. Nadine was a saint to pick up the slack.
I was glad it was Sunday. The store closed at six, and I could make it to the hospital in time for visiting hours. Nadine must have read my mind, because she zipped through the workstation, wrapping food and cleaning like crazy. I didn't even bother to change. I went straight to the hospital with Nadine following me in her car.
When I got to the waiting room, I saw Dad in varying hues of pissed off. Turns out Grandpa made another attack, demanding that his daughter be released and placed in his custody as soon as possible. As the king of tobacco and a lofty contributor to the city's funding, the Marshall name carried some serious weight in this town. Having the state senator and local officials as golf partners made it unwise for anyone to get on Grandpa's bad side.
The doctor insisted that Mom wasn't ready to be released for another few days, which gave us time to stall. In the meantime, Mom was transferred to a private suite on the ninth floor.
The ninth floor, which I soon nicknamed “The Penthouse,” was a private retreat set away from those filthy HMO peasants. With hotel motif, soft lighting, and a cushy sofa, all that was missing were the cabana boy and the complimentary hot towel. Grandpa's guilt sure rode him hard, because he spared no expense in seeing that Mom was well-treated and heavily guarded. I had to show ID and sign in at the front desk before I was escorted to my mom's suite.
Opening Mom's room door, I found her sitting up in the middle of the bed, looking out of the window. She was in no condition to move, let alone attempt to stand. Every motion looked painful, especially with the IV shackling her down.
“Mom, are you all right? You need to lie down.”
She didn't seem to hear me, so I stepped closer. She didn't look at me when I reached her side. Her gaze stayed glued to the window. Orange sunlight leaked through the blinds, making the room look and feel like the inside of an oven.
“I know you hate being cooped up in here, but you need to keep still until you get better.” I brushed her curly hair from her face. She was unresponsive, at best. She barely blinked and the only sounds in the room were the monitors and her heavy breathing. Soon, she was panting like a dog in heat.
“Mom, are you warm? I could open the window,” I offered.
Lifting the blinds, I searched the pane and found no opening. Just as I was about to turn away, I saw it: the reason for Mom's zombie state, the cause of her erratic breathing, and the source of my ever-increasing panic.
Mr. Ross stood in the middle of the parking lot, staring up at the window. How Mom knew he was there was a mystery, but she seemed in tune with his presence from a mental antenna. His stare reached through twenty yards and half an inch of glass to assault my sanity. Everything in my body screamed for me to turn away, to not look at his eyes, but my feet couldn't move. Slowly, my hand reached for the string of the blinds and pulled. The band of shade sliced across my vision, shattering the trance. After closing the blinds, I rushed to Mom's side and laid her back on the bed.
“No, no!” she moaned. “I need to go. He needs me. He said he needs me.”
“Mom, calm down. I need you to lie back.”
“No! I have to be with him. I need him!” Her arms flailed around her head.
Ducking fists and nails, I pinned her shoulders still, all the while my heart was breaking. Mom was the bravest woman I knew, and to have things come to this brought me to tears. Summoning strength I never knew she had, she shoved me to the corner of the room. Screaming, she pulled at her hospital gown, clawing at her neck and chest as if she caught a rash and in the process ripped her IV from her arm. A shrill beeping noise filled the room. In seconds, orderlies rushed to our aid.
Mom made a valiant effort to fend them off, but she was outnumbered.
“No, please, I have to be with him! He needs me!” she screamed, her torso lifting off the bed, as her head tossed from side to side. The veins of her neck rose in bas-relief as her face reddened with blood.
“It's all right, Ms. Marshall, just relax,” the nurse crooned, sliding the IV back into her arm.
Fighting every step of the way, Mom spat curses at everyone within reach, including me. Realizing that didn't work, she tried a guilt trip. Her head whipped in my direction; her mop of curls fell over her face.
“Samara, baby, why are you doing this to me? Why are you keeping us apart? I thought you would be happy for me. Please, let me go,” she begged as the nurse injected a sedative into her arm.
The weight of my sorrow pulled me to the floor, where I curled up and cried. I didn't realize Dad was there until he lifted me into his arms and ushered me outside.
“It's okay, baby, I got you,” he whispered and kissed my hair. “Your mother's on heavy medication. She's just having a reaction, that's all.”
Man, if only that were true. She was having a reaction all right, and it had nothing to do with drugs. There was too much activity in my head, different themes playing in a series of fear. Having only a blink of sleep and a swig of courage, I needed a target, an outlet.
When we reached the waiting room I found Nadine and Caleb standing by the sign-in desk, watching me in horror.
Dad looked at the familiar pair, then back down at me. “Samara, you wanna tell me what's going on? Why are all these people here?”
“They're here for me, Dad. I told them to come.”
“Why? This is a family matter.”
“I needed to talk to them. If it's a problem, I'll leave.”
“No. It's just ...” He shot a heated look at Caleb before closing in on me. “You've been acting strange lately, and if it has something to do with that boyâ”
“Dad, it's not him. If anything, he keeps me sane. That's why he's here. He's my counselor of sorts.”
“You sure? I've got a weird feeling about it.”
“That's just because he's a boy. It'll pass. Besides, do you really think I would have him as a boyfriend if I hadn't put him through the wringer?”
That made him smile. “You
are
your mother's daughter.” He glanced up at them once more and sighed. “All right, but all these people can't stay here.”
are
your mother's daughter.” He glanced up at them once more and sighed. “All right, but all these people can't stay here.”
“I know. Are you gonna stay with Mom?”
“Yeah, but I gotta head back home before nine. I got work in the morning.”
“Not to mention a family at home. I'm surprised Rhonda hasn't dragged you out of here yet.”
“Rhonda and I have an understanding that you don't need to worry about. But I do have to get back home.” He pulled me in for another hug. “Go on, get some rest and something to eat, and tell that boy to keep his hands to himself.”
“Love you, Daddy.” I pulled back and made my way to Caleb.
He stood with wide eyes and a huge question mark on his face. Before he could open his mouth, I said, “Let's go. We're having a little meeting. You're gonna tell me what you plan to do about your dad, because if you're not going to handle it, I sure as hell will. Cambion or not, your dad's going down. And if you stand in my way, you're going with him.”
Â
It didn't surprise anyone that Mr. Ross had vacated the parking lot. The hospital was placed on high alert, and the increased security on the ninth floor was the only reason Dad left in good conscience. No one but staff and family would pass the sign-in desk.
Police compiled a detailed description of Mr. Ross, though that would do little good if the female staff members had unhappy love lives. This was the only time when equal opportunity was a bad thing, and Mr. Ross exploited women's liberation as his personal playground. Women were everywhere: airport ticket holders, flight attendants, hotel receptionists, police officers, doctors, lawyers, and nuns were all at his service ... and his mercy.
We went to visit Haden in recovery. He didn't say much between apologies and swearing, but offered his hand in marriage if Caleb didn't have the “bollocks” to do so. His words, not mine. He confessed that he had been drugged and held against his will for two weeks. Beyond the point of civil compromise, he was more than willing to aid in his father's capture. Seeing that the sedatives and major concussion might slow our progress, Caleb advised that he sit this one out and recover.
For the next three hours Haden's room became our headquarters, where Caleb conducted a conference call with his other brothers. Brodie explainedâwith a very posh English accentâthat he was in the air and would land in a few hours.
In light of all this, both brothers sounded delighted to meet me, more than anyone should given the situation. As the oldest, Brodie gave me a crash course in Cambion 101, via speakerphone. Most of it was pretty simple, stuff I already knew. It intrigued me to learn that Cambions could sense the presence of their chosen mate. Also, the death of a host will result in the spirit's release from the body, a departure that could be seen with the naked eye. All that was well and good, but we were still no closer to finding out how to deal with Big Daddy.
With a phone book splayed on her lap, Nadine called every hotel in the city, which was substantial considering Williamsburg was one big inn. No one knew where Mr. Ross boarded, or how he even entered the country seeing as the brothers confiscated his ID and passport ages ago.
The man had to be stopped. The question was if we wanted him dead or alive. At the moment, all we could do was wait until Michael and Brodie arrived. After the party line ended, Caleb and I worked on alternate means to lure Mr. Ross out of hiding. The method of his father's demise steered the debate, and I could almost see the ten-ton weight settle on Caleb's shoulders.
The loud boom of a phone book hitting the table shot us upright. Finally, after hours of silence, Nadine spoke up. “You may not be able to do it, but when the time comes, I can. I will make it quick and painless.”
Caleb left Haden's bedside and touched Nadine's shoulder. “I can't let you do it.”
“This man has killed innocent women and will continue to do so if not stopped,” she argued. “We have no choice and we are on our own. Lilith is well-disciplined and strong enough to overpower his spirit. When the occasion arises, I am down.”
Nadine's enthusiasm melted away some of my stress. At least Caleb and his brothers wouldn't have to take down their own flesh and blood.
“We seem to be the only women who aren't badly affected by the draw,” I added, rubbing my throbbing temples. “It only makes sense for one of us to do it.”
Caleb rounded on me in fury. “Sam, I don't want you involved in this.”
“It's a bit late for that. I'm neck deep in it, and my mom nearly lost her mind over this mess. So whatever you plan to do, I want in.”
“I'm not putting you in danger.”
“I already am in danger!” His overprotectiveness grated my nerves. “No one is safe around this man, and he has to be stopped. Now quit bossing me around and tell me what you plan to do.”
I stood up and moved away from the tableâperhaps too quickly because I developed a head rush. Fatigue finally caught up with me at the most inopportune time. My body and all its components joined together in revolt and abandoned their post. Stumbling in the hall, I leaned against the wall for support. The world grew fuzzy as little lightning tadpoles swam across my vision. Blood pounded my skull as the distance between my head and the floor decreased. But for some reason, I never hit the floor. My feet kicked from under me when an unseen force lifted my body upward.
“I got you.” A low, familiar voice whispered in my ear.
Though I enjoyed not having to walk on my own, I made some attempt at protest. “Put me down. I weigh a ton.”
“Stop that. You're just fine. Now keep still,” Caleb answered tartly as we began to move.
Nadine's head peeked over Caleb's shoulder. “Sam, you need rest. When have you eaten?”
It was difficult to recall. The days congealed into one collective moment. “Last night?” I guessed.
Caleb let out a loud and irritated sigh. “Sam, you need to take care of yourself. You're no good to anyone like this. I'm taking you home before you end up sharing a room with your mother.”
Worry crept through his stern demand, and I didn't own the strength to rebel. I buried my head in his chest. The soft thud of his heartbeat and the gentle rocking lulled me in to a dreamless sleep.
After what could have been days or five minutes, a hand shook me awake and a car engine cut off. Voices murmured around me, filled with concern and sympathy. Keys jingled and a car door slammed, making me jump. I was airborne again and cradled in the safety of a man's arms, a man who smelled a lot like cake. A humid blast of air trapped my face and snatched the breath from me, then soon fell away to blessed air-conditioning and a strange beeping noise.
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