Until death, p.7
Until Death, page 7
“Did you offer her a bribe to stop the wedding?” Dane suddenly proclaimed from across the kitchen.
All three looked at Dane as he approached.
Levi quickly straightened and frowned with noted embarrassment that he’d been caught. “We need to get him a collar with a bell on it,” he muttered to Raina then looked at Dane. “It was worth a shot. It’s going to be hell taking orders from her. She’s been impossible the last few months, and she doesn’t even have any official power yet.” He adamantly shook his head. “What happens when she starts giving the orders? You know she has it out for you.”
“I’ve been up against others with more influence than Callie,” Dane announced boldly as he eyed Raina then raised his brows. “And I haven’t been fired yet.”
Raina caught his not so subtle dig and hid her embarrassed smile.
Dane looked back at Levi. “We’ll get through Callie’s reign of terror,” he announced. “I have faith that Mr. Steele values our loyalty.”
Levi snatched the bottle of vodka from the counter. “You can have faith,” he muttered. “I’m going to bed.”
Jenna raised a brow and watched the cook leave through the servant’s entrance. It was unclear what Jenna thought about the soap opera unfolding before her. Raina almost felt bad for dragging her friend along for the ride. Almost.
“I think I’m ready to turn in myself. It’s been a long, weird day,” Jenna announced and eyed Raina. “We should probably get our bags from your car.”
“Your things are already in your rooms,” Dane proudly informed them.
Raina eyed Dane as she tensed. “Oh, we probably should have discussed sleeping arrangements earlier,” she informed him while fidgeting then adamantly shook her head. “I don’t care what you have to do, Dane, but I’m not sleeping in my old bedroom.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. Your father considered that two years ago,” Dane replied while adding a tiny smile. “The contractors completely gutted the upstairs bedrooms. The three master suites now overlook the garden.”
“Really?” she asked with surprise then managed a smile and felt less uncomfortable with the situation. “That makes me feel better.”
“I assure you; your father felt the same way about his master bedroom,” Dane informed her. “I’ll show you and your friend to your rooms.”
They followed him to the kitchen stairs. As they walked behind him up the narrow back stairs, Jenna eyed Dane on the steps ahead of them then nudged Raina and indicated his backside. Dane’s pants were tailored perfectly and hugged his buttocks in all the right places. Jenna raised her brows seductively in gesture. Raina rolled her eyes at her friend’s dirty mind and shook her head despite secretly taking in an eyeful herself.
Chapter 12
A View to Die For
Raina and Jenna followed Dane along the second floor hallway and past several bedrooms. Raina instinctively stopped and looked at what would have been Brenda’s bedroom. A strange chill raced down her spine. Dane and Jenna looked back at her, realizing she’d stopped, and noted her slightly pale expression. Echoes of that night haunted her. She could hear Alicia screaming for help. Dane approached and paused alongside her with a sympathetic look.
“I assure you,” he announced delicately startling her. “There’s nothing left of the old master bedroom. Perhaps you’d like to see for yourself--”
“No, I’m good,” Raina replied a little too quickly then met his gaze despite her many attempts to avoid looking into his eyes.
When she looked into his blue eyes, images of Dane in her bedroom doorway with the shotgun flashed through her mind. Horrible images plagued her mind as if she were watching some slasher movie playing on an endless loop.
§
Two years ago. Raina hovered over Dane as he lay unconscious on her bedroom floor. She held pressure to his bleeding leg with one hand, putting the weight of her entire body behind it. She had her cell phone in her free hand and talked with the police.
“Please, hurry,” she cried into the phone. “He’s bleeding pretty badly.”
Raina set the phone down on the floor just short of the swiftly collecting blood from the dead intruder with the knife embedded in his neck. She pressed the button marked ‘home’ from her contacts list on the blood-covered cell phone. The mansion phone in her bedroom rang in unison with the call she was placing.
“Come on, Levi,” she groaned with increasing anxiety. “Pick up.”
When the answering machine picked up, she disconnected the call and cursed under her breath. Raina kept pressure on Dane’s leg. The blood had soaked through his black pants and oozed between her fingers. She looked around her room for something to stop the blood then stared at the dead intruder only a foot or more away from them. His eyes were open, and he seemed to be staring at her, but she knew he was dead. Raina forced herself to look away and continued to scan the room. She avoided letting her eyes settle on the second dead man and the gruesome shotgun wound that had torn apart his chest. She then looked behind her to the bed.
Raina sprang up from the floor and bolted across the blood-spattered carpet for her bed. She snatched one of the pillows from her bed and tore off the pillowcase. Raina cast the pillow aside and returned to Dane’s side. She rolled the linen, wrapped it around his bleeding thigh, and tied it as tight as she could manage. She again hovered over Dane. As she reached out to touch his face, she saw his blood covering her hand. Her hand trembled. She drew a deep breath, wiped his blood on her once white tank top, and gently touched his face.
“Dane,” she gasped while attempting to wake him. “Dane, wake up. I’m scared, and I don’t know what to do.”
Raina held back her sobs and attempted to keep her emotions in check. She had to hold it together, but she felt so alone. She eyed her cell phone and was about to reach for it when Dane slowly woke. He looked at her and appeared puzzled. To her surprise, he sat up, eyed the dead men, and attempted to stand.
“Mrs. Steele,” he announced.
She attempted to stop him, but loss of blood stopped him for her. He held his head and swayed slightly. Raina clutched his free hand in both hers.
“You’ve lost a lot of blood,” she informed him. “You need to remain still.”
He looked at the pillowcase tied around his leg then looked back at Raina. She stared at him with an indescribable look of horror.
“Are you okay?” he asked and gently touched her face.
She shivered and nodded, although her eyes told a different story. Dane saw the look in her eyes. He slipped out of his jacket and placed it around her shoulders.
“I need you to concentrate on breathing,” he announced firmly. “You’re going into shock. Just stay with me, okay?”
Raina drew a deep breath while staring into his eyes through the dim lighting and nodded. She slowly slipped into his jacket and bundled it around her from the unexplained cold chill sweeping over her. He continued to stare into her eyes, forcing her to focus on him.
“Did you call the police?”
She nodded.
“That’s good,” he replied. “I’m going to check on Mrs. Steele and Miss Dunkirk.”
Dane attempted to stand. Raina caught his hand and gripped it hard enough to stop him. He looked back at her while remaining on the floor with her.
“They’re dead,” she whispered then trembled and fought her emotions.
Dane stared at her with a horrified expression then pulled her against him with his left arm and held her head to his chest. She didn’t release his hand and held it against her chest for comfort. She resisted the urge to break down. As he held her in silence, she concentrated on listening to the beating of his heart and his hand clinging to hers against her chest.
§
Present day. Raina twitched and realized Dane was still staring into her eyes as if reading her expression. She almost forgot they were still in the second floor corridor outside the old master bedroom. Her eyes subconsciously strayed to his leg. She could almost see the knife embedded in his thigh and the chilling moment when he ripped it from his own flesh. She again witnessed his blood flying from the knife. Surprisingly, she could feel the pain that he hadn’t shown. Dane turned to show them to their rooms across the hall and intentionally leaned toward her in a secret motion.
“It’s over,” he whispered. “Let it go.”
Raina snapped out of her trance and exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath. Jenna had turned as well and hadn’t even noticed the exchange between the two. Dane’s motion was seemingly flawless that he was already heading down the hall with Jenna. Raina inhaled deeply and followed. Dane paused before the bedroom door, which would have been Miller’s old room on the other side of Brenda’s old suite. He opened the door, switched on the light, and indicated the room to Jenna.
“The lavender room will be your room, Miss Ford,” Dane announced while offering a pleasant smile. “There’s an in-house directory alongside the phone on the nightstand. Dial nine for an outside line.”
Jenna hesitantly approached the open door, glanced inside the room decked out in varying shades of purple, and then looked back at Dane. “No one died in there, right?”
“No, not that I’m aware,” he replied reassuringly.
Jenna grimaced and looked at Raina. “See you in the morning, I hope.” She disappeared into the bedroom and shut the door behind her. They heard it lock.
“You’re across the hall,” Dane announced and led her across the corridor.
Dane opened the bedroom door and stood aside. Raina uncertainly entered, stood just in the doorway, and looked around the breathtaking bedroom suite. There was a large window with a wide seat built into it that faced the garden, an elegant fireplace, private bathroom, and all new furniture. The room seemed to be filled with fresh flowers. The vase containing yellow roses on the bedside table, in particular, caught her eye. They were her favorite, and her father always seemed to have them by her bedside when she would return home. She was surprised he remembered after two years of absence. Raina approached the window while marveling at it, sat on the padded seat loaded with throw pillows, and looked at the garden, which encompassed the area around the pool. In the distance, she could see the family crypt, which contained her mother, stepmother, and Alicia. She turned on the window seat and eyed Dane.
“I’m surprised my father thought to put in a window seat,” she announced with an almost humored look while reflecting back. “He has no idea how many hours I’d spend in the library on that window seat.”
“He was made aware of that,” he replied while offering a tiny grin.
She stared at him a moment and considered the comment. “Did you suggest it?”
“I may have mentioned it.”
Raina hid her smile then stood and approached the large bed. Although she would miss her old bed, she was actually happy to be rid of it. She didn’t want to be reminded of the two men struggling with her and what almost happened there. As she stared at the bed a moment longer, something about it seemed almost familiar. She realized it closely resembled the bed from one of her favorite books. She hesitated then glanced around the room and noticed other similarities from that particular book.
It seemed almost impossible that her father would have known any of those things. Although he knew which section of the library contained her books, he certainly wouldn’t have known which book was her favorite. She supposed he could have seen her reading it numerous times, but he wasn’t much for picking up on subtle details.
Raina approached the nightstand and picked up the old framed photo of her mother and father. She stared at it a moment then set the photo down and eyed the book on the nightstand. She appeared curious and picked it up. It was the same book she’d borrowed from the library the night of the murders. Raina returned the book and looked at Dane, who remained in the doorway. Judging by his expression, he had been closely watching her. She then realized every detail within the room had to have come from him. Between the two of them, they’d spent the most time in the library out of anyone else within the mansion. He had a keen eye for details and would probably be the only person in the house who would have noticed or cared what book she was reading.
“Will there be anything else, Miss Steele?” he politely asked snapping her out of her trance.
For a moment, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. She then realized why her stepmother loved him so much. This was the sort of royal treatment he gave Brenda. He needed someone new to make a fuss over. Her nerves were suddenly on fire. Too many emotions were fighting for control of her. Anger over her father’s choice of brides, an uneasiness of again being in the house that filled her with nightmares of the brutal slayings, and her renewed lust for the handsome butler. Now that she was no longer feuding with Dane, she had nothing to hold those feelings at bay.
She gently rubbed her chilled shoulders and managed a tiny, nervous laugh. “A strong sedative, if you’ve got any,” Raina teased, although she was actually serious.
Dane approached the small bar and opened the door. There was a wide selection of beverages, alcohol, and mixers. His mocking smile was enough to humor her.
“You really have thought of everything, haven’t you?” she remarked with a laugh.
“I try,” he replied while grinning then indicated her private bathroom. “Incidentally, the Jacuzzi bathtub wasn’t exactly authorized, so that’ll be our little secret.”
Raina smiled and laughed softly while staring at the handsome man. “I won’t tell.”
As she stared at him, she remembered their brief but passionate kiss in the grand hallway the evening of the wake. Her heart skipped a beat while reflecting upon the intense moment. She never told anyone that she’d kissed Dane or that he’d kissed her back. It was one of the many new secrets they now kept between them. She wasn’t sure how long they stared at each other, but when Dane tensed, she wondered what had been going through his mind.
“If you need anything, I left my cell phone number next to the phone,” Dane informed her. “You’ll be able to reach me at any hour.”
She stared at him with some surprise. “I thought that number was reserved exclusively for my father?”
“I thought--” He hesitated, reconsidered his words, and smiled timidly. “I just want to make sure you’re comfortable and feel safe.” He offered a warm smile that nearly melted her heart. “Goodnight, Miss Steele.” Dane turned to leave then hesitated and glanced back at her. “I’m glad you’ve come home.”
He left the room, shutting the door behind him. Raina stared after him and felt her heart pounding in her chest. Keeping her attraction for the handsome butler at bay was much easier when they were at each other’s throats. She looked at the card next to the phone then removed her cell phone and eagerly added the number to her contacts.
Chapter 13
The Good Old Days
It was a little after six o’clock on Friday morning. Raina wearily entered the kitchen from the back stairs. She hadn’t slept well despite the amazingly comfortable mattress in her new bedroom. It was going to be a busy, exhausting day for everyone, so she wasn’t surprised to see Dane was already up and working. Dane stood by the main counter preparing the massive coffeemaker for their arriving guests, although the smaller coffeepot typically used for the household was also in use. He glanced back as she approached the island counter and appeared surprised to see her up already.
“Miss Steele,” he announced pleasantly. “I didn’t expect anyone to be up this early considering how late the party went last night.”
Dane prepared a cup of tea as she nearly collapsed at the counter. He placed the mug before her along with the container of sugar substitute. She eyed the cup of tea with some surprise then managed a smile.
“How do you know I prefer tea?”
“I have a very good memory,” he replied.
“I don’t remember you ever making me tea before,” she countered.
He placed his palms on the counter and leaned across it toward her while smirking. “That’s because I was being a prick.”
Raina glanced at him and the look on his face. He stared back with all seriousness. Was he baiting her or looking for an apology? For a moment, she felt a hint of their old rivalry. She desperately wanted to counter with something insulting to fire him up but decided against it.
She smiled with some embarrassment and took the mature approach. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be,” Dane replied almost cheerfully and straightened. “I deserved it. Lord knows I called you a bitch enough times.”
She gave him a bewildered stare. “I don’t remember you ever calling me a bitch.”
“Not to your face.”
Raina saw his tiny smirk and hid her smile at his ability to laugh at their past feud. “I have to be honest with you, Dane,” she announced. “I prefer being on your good side for a change. It was probably only a matter of time before we killed each other.”
He smiled reflectively and sighed. “Ah, the good old days,” Dane announced.
Raina looked at his teasing smile and laughed. She wasn’t sure if he secretly missed their fierce fights. Although their current relationship was preferable, she did miss their verbal assaults on each other. Call her nostalgic.
She raised her teacup to her lips and scoffed, “Prick.” It just slipped out.
“Bitch,” he muttered then grinned with satisfaction.
Raina had to keep from laughing. It actually felt good. She sipped her tea and cast a look at him. “So what’s on today’s itinerary?” she asked as she set her cup down.
“Guests for rehearsal will arrive this afternoon. Rehearsal starts at four with dinner at seven,” he announced as if reading from some invisible itinerary. “The caterers show up tomorrow morning promptly at nine, at which time the staff has been given the rest of the day off to either attend the wedding or skip town.”
“Oh?” she replied with some surprise. “That’s nice of the happy couple to invite the staff to join in their day.”
