Shades of Resolution (Distortion #3) Read online

  He didn’t understand it but every moment with Stephanie felt like she was slowly chipping away at the walls he had built up over the years. He was terrified what would happen when those barriers finally gave. He had no idea what was waiting on the inside. He knew eventually he would have to face it.

  “They wouldn’t have said yes to this meeting if they didn’t want you to come. I think knowing that something good came out of this situation might help them. I know it helped me,” Nate admitted. “You helped me.” It felt strange to admit it, but he needed her just as much as she needed him.

  Stephanie gave him a sad smile. She reached for his hand, wrapping her fingers around his and squeezed tightly. He didn’t understand how a simple touch could feel like it did, but he hoped she never let go. People like Stephanie normally didn’t want to acknowledge people like him. He had spent his life doing things that terrified most people. It was the first time he wished he was something more. He wanted to be better for her so he could be the person she needed him to be. Instead he found himself being scared that she would eventually see exactly what he was and run from him like everyone else did. He was no more than a criminal that had nothing to show for his life.

  “Okay, I think I’m ready,” Stephanie said with a nod of her head.

  Nate walked around the car and opened her door.”

  Maybe I’m not ready,” she said nervously. Nate held her door open but she remained frozen in her seat, twisting the ring around her finger.

  The front door of the house opened and an older gentleman with white hair gave them a small wave.

  Nate held out his hand. “I won’t leave your side,” Nate promised.

  Stephanie looked between him and the man awaiting them. “Okay.” Stephanie slid her hand into his and stepped out of the car. Stephanie tucked herself into Nate’s side as they began walking toward the house. “I think I’m gonna throw up,” Stephanie whispered.

  “Seriously?” Nate questioned, trying to be polite and offer a smile toward the man holding the door open for them. Stephanie darted from his arms back toward the curb and threw up on the side of the road, just missing the car.

  “We’ll just be a moment,” Nate called to the man, who nodded and closed the door softly.

  Stephanie was leaning on her knees with her eyes squeezed shut. “I’m so embarrassed,” she whispered. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

  Nate grabbed a few napkins that were tucked in the glovebox of his car. He passed them to her and placed his hand on her back gently. “Do you want me to go in and talk to them for you?” he offered.

  Stephanie shook her head and took a long slow breath. “No. I want to do this…I do,” she said.

  The door opened again and Nate turned to see the man had returned with a glass of water in his hand. He walked down the front steps and approached them slowly.

  He wore a short sleeve button up shirt with khaki shorts. His gray hair was brushed back neatly and he had a sense of peace about his presence. The tension visibly drained from Stephanie as she faced him.

  “I thought you could use a glass of water,” the man said as he offered it. Stephanie accepted it with a shaky hand. The man smiled at the both of them. “I’m Mark, Brianna’s father.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes when he mentioned his daughter.

  “Nice to meet you, Mark.” Nate shook his hand.

  “Yes, nice to meet you,” Stephanie said as she took a sip of the water. “I’m so sorry about…”

  The man waved his hand in dismissal toward the street. “Don’t worry about it, my dear. Come inside and have a seat. We can make you some coffee or tea, whichever you prefer.”

  “That would be lovely. Thank you.”

  They followed Mark inside. The house was in an older section of Belhaven, where the houses had lots of character from age. This particular house was impressively well-maintained. Thick moldings framed the walls and rich paint colors paired with accent wallpaper complimented its age, but also brought it into the present.

  Mark led them into the main sitting area just off the foyer. A man in his early forties and a white-haired woman stood inside the room. Their conversation hushed as soon as they saw Nate and Stephanie walk in behind Mark.

  The woman’s face lit up immediately. “Hello and welcome,” the woman said.

  “Millie and Alden, this is Stephanie and Nate,” Mark introduced everyone.

  “Very nice to meet you both.” Millie stepped forward and shook Nate’s hand before she took both of Stephanie’s hands in hers. “I know the strength it must take to come here. We appreciate it.” The woman’s eyes filled with tears. “Brianna was our only child…” The woman covered her mouth with her hand and then placed it on her chest once she collected herself. “Please forgive me.” She guided Stephanie toward the sofa. “Let me get us something to drink. Do you prefer tea or coffee?” Millie asked.

  “Tea would be wonderful. Thank you, Millie,” Stephanie managed quietly as she sat down.

  “Yes, please,” Nate added when Millie looked to him. Truth was he didn’t drink either. Nate couldn’t even recall ever having tea, but since the option of liquor wasn’t suggested, he would take what he could get.

  “Thank you for coming today,” Alden said once his mother-in-law slipped out into the hall with Mark.

  Nate’s instincts had immediately perked up when he entered the room and set eyes on Alden. While Brianna’s parents were sweet and welcoming, this man was something altogether different. Nate had lived among criminals his entire life and could tell when someone was corrupt. He knew the feeling well because he was infected with the same twisted disease. He could feel it inside of him, taunting him since he crossed the line so many years ago. No matter how many times you may wash your hands, you can never remove the blood; it stained for the duration of your life.

  Alden sat down in an armchair facing Stephanie and Nate. “When Officer Carlton contacted me to inform me that you wanted to meet, you can imagine my surprise.” Alden’s gaze traveled to Nate and his eyes narrowed just enough for Nate to pick up on. Nate knew that Alden was trying to get a read on him because it’s exactly what he was trying to do to him.

  “Yes, I suppose it would be a bit of a shock. I know how painful this is for you…” Stephanie began.

  “On the contrary, having you here might mean that we finally have our answers to what happened to Brianna. The officers have been very vague,” Alden said as he leaned back in his chair. “Until recently, we believed that Brianna abandoned us.”

  Mark and Millie walked in to the room, catching the conversation, and their faces fell.

  “Brianna’s behavior became erratic the last few months she was with us. We were still holding out hope that she would return, until of course, when the officers showed up at our door after Terence Masten was arrested. Brianna’s body was identified as one of his victims.” Alden placed his hand over his mouth in a show of emotional distress.

  Nate studied Alden, trying to find holes in his story.

  “The whole thing has been hard to understand,” Millie added.

  Mark set the tray down on the coffee table and Millie picked up two dainty cups and passed them to Nate and Stephanie before she walked over and placed her hand on Alden’s shoulder.

  Nate looked down at the cup. The handle seemed too small for his fingers. The size was more of a large shot glass as he decided to just set the base into the palm of his hand.

  “It was truly a miracle that you survived. Knowing that some good has come out of this tragedy gives us solace,” Mark said, sitting down in the chair next to Alden’s.

  Stephanie took a sip of her tea and held it in her lap. “I know there’s nothing I can say that will make you feel better. I wish I could tell you what you want to know…” Stephanie trailed off when tears filled her eyes.

  Millie passed her some tissues. “She is with the Lord now,” Millie said, wiping her own eyes. “She’s not suffering anymore. We have that at least.”

&
nbsp; “No matter how hard I try to make sense of what happened, I know I can never understand. I will carry the scars with me for the rest of my life. I wish I could have known Brianna, but finding her ring meant so much to me. I want you to know that. Your daughter helped me more than I could ever put into words.”

  Millie sat down on the other side of Stephanie and pulled her into her arms. “Brianna would have loved knowing she helped you. She was so kind-hearted.”

  Stephanie wrapped her fingers around the ring on her finger, twisting it one last time before she slipped it off her finger and passed it to Millie. Millie took it in her hand and ran her finger over the band. “I wanted to return it. That’s why I’m here today,” Stephanie said.

  “As soon as we saw the picture the officer sent we knew it was hers,” Millie said thoughtfully. “She had it made. It’s one of a kind.”

  “I want you to have it so it can also bring you comfort when you need it.”

  Everyone turned toward the hallway when they heard shuffling. A small girl appeared in the doorway that looked no more than four years old. Her dark brown hair was pulled up in hair ties and she wore a blue dress with tiny flowers scattered over the material.

  “Nanna?” she called into the room. She was holding a doll by its leg as it hung upside down from her hand.

  “Yes, precious.” Millie walked over to the girl.

  “I’m hungry,” she said as Millie picked her up in her arms.

  “Nanna will get you something. Let’s go to the kitchen. Did you want to say hello to our company?” Millie spun her around to see Stephanie and Nate. Her tiny hand gave them a small wave before they headed down the hallway.

  “Brianna’s parents moved in not long after she disappeared. It’s impossible to take care of Paige by myself with my hectic work schedule. They have been a blessing,” Alden said.

  “We’re happy to help,” Mark said with a sad smile. “Paige reminds us so much of Brianna.”

  “She doesn’t remember her mother,” Alden said. “Paige was only a baby at the time her mother was taken.”

  Every minute in the company of Alden, made Nate more restless. He seemed to be the only one picking up on his intensity toward Stephanie and his poor show of sadness. This man was not mourning his wife. Nate would bet his life that the man before him was a heartless man with no real connection to the family that still remained beside him. Nate wanted nothing more than to get Stephanie far away from him. He felt very protective of her and right now his instincts were screaming for him to get Stephanie out of there.

  “I’m so sorry,” Stephanie said.

  “Yes, but in some ways it’s for the best that she doesn’t.” Alden offered them a reserved smile. “Are you staying close by while you’re in town?” Alden changed the subject.

  “Yes, we are. We’re―” Stephanie began but Nate felt the need to jump in. The less Alden knew about where they were staying or how long they would be in town, the better.

  “We should get going, Stephanie. We promised Officer Carlton we would stop by the precinct to go over a few things.”

  Stephanie looked at him questioningly before nodding. “Yes, I’m sure we’ve taken enough of your time.” Stephanie set her cup on the tray and stood up.

  “You’re welcome to stay as long as you wish,” Alden offered.

  “You are too kind, really, but Nate is right…we must be heading off,” Stephanie said kindly. “It was nice to meet you, Mark and Alden. Please tell Millie and Paige goodbye for us.”

  “Yes, of course.” Mark led them to the door.

  Nate threw Alden one last glance as he left the room, which only reinforced his feelings toward the man. This was no family man, he knew his type well.

  Nate ushered Stephanie out the door and placed his arm on the small of her back to quicken her step.

  “Do you want to tell me why you practically ran us out of there?” Stephanie asked as they approached their car.

  “I don’t trust Alden. My bullshit meter was going fucking haywire,” Nate answered as he rounded the car and opened his door. He looked over the roof of the car to Stephanie.

  “What are you saying?” Stephanie asked.

  Nate looked toward the front window of the house where Alden was standing in the open curtains with a phone to his ear. He raised his hand in a stiff wave toward Nate.

  “I don’t know. Let’s just get out of here.”

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-THREE

  Lexie

  A bright light flooded the room when the curtains were wrenched open. Lexie turned her face away from the overly bright glare that pulled her from a very unsettled sleep. She tried to move her hands only to be reminded that she was cuffed. The movement caused pain to flare up the lengths of her arms.

  Lexie opened her eyes and looked at her raw wrists that were bound to the old radiator in the room. She had slept on a thin mattress that had been tossed on the floor of the old house she had been brought to the night before.

  Lexie scanned the room. The walls were cracked and stained in the light of day. A stale smell filled her nose as she took a deep breath. A few boxes sat in the corner of the room. The cardboard had grown soft and the contents rounded the sides. The entire room was coated in dust as if it hadn’t been used in years.

  Someone cleared her throat and Lexie turned to see a woman leaning against the wall next to the window with a severe scowl painted across her face. Her dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail and harsh eyeliner circled her eyes, giving her a very hard edge.

  “Who are you?” Lexie asked. She tried to push herself up into a sitting position so she didn’t feel so vulnerable. Her mouth felt dry and her head throbbed from whatever Flint had given her.

  “I’m the bitch that’s gonna make your life a living hell,” she answered, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Where’s Flint?” Lexie asked in confusion. She gave up trying to find a comfortable position and stared at the woman looming over her. Lexie didn’t have time to react when the woman lunged at her. She grabbed Lexie by the throat and smashed her head into the wall behind her. Lexie gasped as the pain radiated down her back and made her eyes water. Lexie tensed her body, unsure of what would follow as she cringed from the pain. She was defenseless.

  Lexie snapped her eyes open when she heard the woman’s laughter, her breath hot on Lexie’s cheek.

  “My brother told me what you did.” She ran her fingernail down Lexie’s cheek, hard enough to leave a stinging sensation along her skin.

  “I didn’t do anything.” Lexie pulled away and rattled the handcuff in annoyance. “I’m the victim here.”

  “Hardly. I know your type. You manipulate to get what you want by batting your pretty little eyes. You’re not getting away with putting a target on my brother’s back. You better hope his plan works.”

  “Your brother has a target on his back because he’s crazy, and apparently it runs in the family,” Lexie spat angrily.

  The woman wound up her fist and hit Lexie in the face. The coppery taste of blood filled her mouth and pain throbbed in her lip. Lexie looked down and noticed blood dripping on her tank top but she refused to let the woman know how much it hurt as she glared furiously. She needed to stop aggravating her because she was unable to defend herself, but Lexie was angry that she was back in this position again. She hated feeling like a caged animal…at least this time her cage seemed more likely to have weak spots. This woman staring back at her was filled with rage so thick it blackened her eyes. People like this made mistakes, and Lexie would be ready to take advantage.

  “Sabine,” a man’s voice called from the hallway outside the door.

  “In here,” she answered.

  The footsteps grew louder until they stopped at the entrance of the room. His shadow darkened the doorway before he stepped into the room. The man’s dark, curious eyes landed on Sabine before they swung to Lexie. His unkempt black hair hung loose against his shoulders. Piercing brows hung heavy over ey
es that carried dark shadows.

  “So this is Stodden’s girl,” he said as he strolled into the room, his eyes never leaving Lexie as he drank in her entire presence. Lexie tried not to recoil from his cold, raking glare. She didn’t want to show fear despite the fact that she didn’t feel so comfortable being outnumbered and at a serious disadvantage.

  He ran his hand through his hair and walked closer to Sabine. “What are we going to do with her?” he asked in a tone that gave Lexie chills.

  “Nothing, for now. Flint said not to touch her while he’s gone,” Sabine responded despondently.

  “It looks like you didn’t listen.” He smirked as he stepped closer to Lexie. She pulled away when he reached for her face.

  “Don’t touch me.” Lexie pulled back as far as she could manage.

  He watched her like she was a fascinating piece of art and he was trying to determine its meaning.

  “How long is she staying here?” He looked back at Sabine.

  “God knows what my foolish brother has in mind.”

  The man walked closer to Sabine. Stepping behind her, he ran his hand around her waist and pulled her tighter to him. He leaned in to bite her shoulder before he continued up the curve of her neck, caressing her skin with his lips and teeth. Sabine welcomed the touch as she submitted to him. A satisfied moan escaped her as his hand ran up the inside of her leg and under her skirt. “Maybe we can have a little fun with her while we wait,” he suggested in Sabine’s ear.

  Lexie’s eyes widened in fear and she pressed her back into the wall behind her. There was no way she would be taking in part in whatever he had in mind. Adrenaline began fueling her body in anticipation of what might take place.

  Sabine’s eyes snapped open and looked Lexie straight in the eye. A dark anger swirled beneath the surface as full and deep as Lexie’s hatred for her. Sabine turned abruptly and shoved the man behind her. He stumbled backward with a shocked look on his face. “What the fuck, Sabine?”

  “Not her,” Sabine commanded. “You will never touch her and you will not think of her. Do you understand me?”