“Stacey wants it to be officially known that she is in heaven sleeping in Stark’s bedroom,” Brody says as we walk barefoot along the private beach in the island’s gated area. “Personally, I think that’s just a little kinky. But since I’m good with kink, I’m going to roll with it.”
I bump him with my shoulder. “You’re a good husband.”
“That’s what I keep telling her. Seriously, thanks for getting us the bungalow. And thanks for giving Stark her email address. The email from him and Nikki telling us where various things are in the bungalow and assuring us we should make ourselves at home was a nice touch. And I’m pretty sure Stacey’s going to print it out and frame it once we get back to New York.”
“Not a problem. And Nikki really wanted to reassure you both that you were welcome.”
He and Stacey had arrived about an hour ago, and we met them at the helipad. We showed them to the Stark bungalow and gave them the quick and dirty tour of the island, pointing out important features like the small but well-stocked liquor store, the restaurant, and the spa.
Then Stacey went inside to unpack while Dallas went into our bungalow to make some phone calls. At least, that’s what they said. Brody and I both knew they were just giving us time to catch up.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I say honestly. “I miss you. I haven’t seen you since…” I trail off. The sun is too bright, the beach is too pretty, the sky is too blue. I just don’t want to think about what happened.
“Since the bitch attacked you?” Brody says, clearly not reading my mind.
“It’s been a little hectic since then,” I say dryly.
“I was a fucking basket case, you know that, right? Your mom told you? I mean, I get why they wanted to be careful, but I was really freaked.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze it. “I missed you, too.”
He shoots me a sideways look. “So how are you doing? Really?”
I frown as I think about it. “I feel exposed. Raw. And vulnerable. I mean, she just came out of the dark and attacked me. And then to do that to a dog.” I shiver, then hug myself.
“And Dallas?”
Just his name makes me smile. “He makes me feel safe.” It’s a simple answer, but the truth often is, and that is the most basic truth between us: we make each other feel safe.
“I’m glad to hear it, but what I meant is how’s he doing? With the attack on you, I mean. And also with the news that just hit the papers.”
I make a face. “You saw. Great, huh? Pretty soon they’ll offer us a reality TV show.”
“Good girl,” Brody says, then shrugs when I aim a questioning look his way. “I just think you have to keep your sense of humor about that. Not about the stalker, but the tabloids? Fuck it, you’ll never get ahead. At any rate, you didn’t answer my question. How’s Dallas handling everything? Especially the attack on you and this horror with the dog?”
“He’s feeling furious,” I admit. “Not to mention impotent.”
Brody’s brows rise, and I roll my eyes. “No, we’re going fine in that department,” I say. “Problem pretty much solved there.”
“Also glad to hear it.”
“I just mean that he wants to jump in and be my protector, but he doesn’t know who to protect me from.”
“You guys don’t have any idea at all?”
“We’re convinced it’s the Woman,” I say, then shrug. “But who the hell is she?”
“Someone you’ve seen before.”
“Well, yeah. I saw her in a cell seventeen years ago.”
He shakes his head. “No, I mean she’s not just going to pop out of the woodwork after that much time.”
“Agreed. Dallas and I talked about that. She’s been watching all this time. Honestly, it’s creepy.”
“I’ll say.”
I bend down to pick up a shell, then toss it back into the ocean. “What did you say a few seconds ago?”
“That she won’t just pop out of the woodwork?”
I shake my head. “No. You said that we’ve seen her before.” I tap my finger on my chin as I think, as if that will jar my thoughts into place. “That’s so obvious, but I never thought of it like that. I thought about her watching us. Not us seeing her. But we’ve probably noticed her. Maybe even talked to her.”
“Maybe at one of Dallas’s famous parties.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, great. We’ve just narrowed the suspect list down to ninety-five percent of the female population of Manhattan.”
“Yeah, but you can narrow it down more. Most of the girls at those parties are just that. Girls. But if your attacker is the Woman, she has to be older, right?”
“True. But there were a lot of older women vying for the chance to cheat on their husbands with Dallas.” I twist my mouth wryly. “I’m pretty sure they even formed a Meetup group.”
Brody ignores me. “She could also be someone in the neighborhood. Not necessarily a resident. But the dry cleaner. Or even one of Dallas’s part-time maids or cooks. After the kidnapping, she worked her way into his life. She wants to be close to him. Hell, she has to.”
“But if I’m her competition, why didn’t she just kill me on the street? She could have easily.” It’s true. I hate it, but it’s true.
“Who knows? Maybe you’re just lucky. Maybe she’s got something that passes for a conscience. Or maybe she just likes the drama that comes with playing a game.”
“The drama,” I say, feeling a little sick. I remember how she was when she tied me down so she could go torture Dallas. I recall what Dallas has told me about what she did to him, the sick games she made him play. The way she got off on it.
“You nailed it,” I say, meeting Brody’s eyes. “She’s definitely playing a game.”
“I know.” His voice is low, as serious as I’ve ever heard it. “Let’s hope to hell she loses.”
