Beautiful Liar Read online

  I heard a car stop along the road. I didn’t bother to open my eyes. I felt arms pick me up and hold me. I knew who it was. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

  Shaking my head, “I hate you, so much. You have taken everything that I love from me. There is nothing you can do or say that will fix this between us. Please just let me go, let me be happy.”

  “I promise you, your life is yours. I will protect you to my dying day.”

  “You know you can’t protect me. If you could none of this would have happened.”

  “Victoria, you will have your life. Please, go home and have your life. I promise I will never look for you again. You won’t have to look over your shoulder ever again. Go be happy he loves you like you deserve. Raise Joanna, be happy.”

  He hugged me tightly, “Goodbye Victoria.” He whispered as he kissed me on the forehead. He sat me down on the grass and then he was gone. I didn’t open my eyes until I knew the car was gone. I couldn’t look at him, I couldn’t look in his eyes and believe his lies. I knew one day I was going to end his life. He knew it too.

  I got up and started running again. I ended up miles from the lake house. I found a gas station and asked if I could use their phone to make a call.

  “Hello?” he sounded panicked.

  “I need you.” Was all I said.

  “Where are you beautiful,” he whispered.

  “I don’t know.” I looked at the guy at the counter, handing him the phone. He told Paul where I was. Hanging up I thanked him and walked out the door to sit on the curb.

  So much has happened, so much that I really don’t know what to do with it all. I think I just need to take this opportunity to have a life with Paul and Joanna. I know it will always be in question, and I know that he can’t make a promise like that. There is a price on my head, I will never be the one that got away. Eventually it will come, my only hope is that Joanna survives.

  A car pulled up, I heard the door open but I couldn’t pick my head up. I didn’t have it in me to fight anymore. I’m done. He picked me up, “God beautiful, how did you get here? Come on I got you.” He sat me in the car, closing the door he got in the other side, pulling me into his arms.

  “We have to go now. It’s time to go. We need to get Joanna and go.”

  “Let’s go home,” he whispered.

  “No!” I yelled. “We need to go now. Not later, not tomorrow, now. We need to get Joanna and go now.” I picked my head up and looked at Al. “Now.”

  He nodded, “I know where.”

  Paul pulled me to him, I could feel his heart slamming in his chest. “What happened?” He whispered into my neck.

  I shook my head, “I need to get Joanna. We need to leave now.” I whispered back. I pulled back turning I said to Al, “Park a few blocks away. How many men belong to you?”

  “Three, one in the house, one on the front porch, one on the back.”

  “I need a knife,” I said softly.

  “Victoria, what is going on?” I felt her body tense.

  “I need to get her out of there. We are not safe.”

  Al handed me a knife. “You have one as well?” I asked.

  He nodded. I looked at Paul, “Do you have your phone?” He nodded. “When Al texts you, come to the house.” Al proceed to tell him where the house was. He pulled up one block over. I kissed Paul. “We’ll be back.” I whispered. “I love you.”

  Before he could say anything or stop me, I was out the door with Al behind me. I followed him through the neighborhood. Unfortunately, I was right in assuming the house was being watched. He knew these men would lose their lives. Six in all, positioned in different places. We moved with stealth, backtracking, zigzagging across the streets. None of them knew what was happening. When we finished, we moved to the house from the back. Al found the seventh guy in the backyard. I found the eighth in the bushes just around the front of the house. His guys were oblivious to what was happening. Glad I wasn’t one of them.

  We moved into the house, not making a sound. To my surprise Joanna was sleeping in a room alone. I went in and picked her up while Al stayed just outside the door. We didn’t bother calling Paul. We moved out the back door, the man posted there pulled his gun on Al, before I ever made it out the door.

  “I can’t let you do that,” he said.

  Al was fast as he swung his hand across the guy’s throat. He grabbed my arm and we were moving through the yard. He went over the fence first. I handed him Joanna. She was awake but didn’t say a word or move. She let us hand her back and forth. Al found yet another guy parked on the street as we came out of the yard. Jo and I waited by the side of the house while he took care of it. He managed to grab a walkie talkie out of the guy’s car.

  As we moved through the neighborhood back to Paul, we listened for any sign that there were any left. No chatter. As we approached the car, Al grabbed my hand and pulled me behind some bushes. There was someone in the car with Paul. I handed Joanna to Al.

  Shaking her head, she whispered. “No momma, don’t go. Stay with me.” Reaching for me I took her back into my arms and we knelt to wait.

  I watched as Al pulled his phone out, he sent a text. We waited for a few minutes then he touched my shoulder. Looking at him, he tilted his head for us to move. I followed him through yard after yard. Him going over the fence’s first, me handing him Jo and then me following him. Block after block we moved. Finally, we came to a car, he opened the back door and I got in with Jo. Al got in next to me.

  We drove for hours, I had no clue where we were going. This was the time that trust needed to be given. I didn’t know these two men, but I needed to trust them. I needed to protect Jo, and if that meant running from Paul than that’s what I needed to do. I’m confused about what he was doing in that car. I’m pretty sure I know who it was. But why? Why would this happen?

  We pulled up to a house, it was a little bit more than moderate in size. Al helped me out, and we went in. He led me to a bedroom where I put Jo down. He handed me a monitor and we made our way back downstairs. Joe was standing at an island in the kitchen.

  He handed me an envelope. Opening it, I found our new identities. Looking at him, my heart broke. Paul wasn’t involved in this.

  “You are safe here. I have a client who lives on this lake. He bought this house, and has put a million dollars in a bank account under this name. You and Jo can live your lives out here. No one will ever find you.”

  “Why would a complete stranger do that?” I asked, looking at my new name.

  “His wife, was in hiding for years, trying to stay alive. She had a madman trying to find her and kill her. I went to him and explained a bit of your story to him. You are now invisible, untraceable. No one is going to find you Victoria. No one.”

  I felt the tears, “What about Paul?” I whispered.

  “I don’t know yet. There are things about him that don’t add up. I was hired to make sure you and Joanna were safe. He may have hired me, but my brother is the reason I did this.” Joe said.

  I looked at Al, “Why?”

  “Our only sister was murdered by her husband. He was an abuser. We didn’t know, she was too afraid, too proud to tell us. You are too proud to ask for our help.” Al said.

  Joe smiled, “We have this thing for strong women who are too damn proud to ask for help. Trust, Victoria, we all need someone to trust. We don’t always get it right, but we all need to do it. You can trust us. If, and when Paul clears, we will bring him to you. But please remember, he is not to be trusted right now.”

  “The car I took has listening devices in it. If he lies to us, he won’t ever find you. That little girl up there is what’s important. She can grow up here, you are safe,” Al said softly.

  “Thank you. I’m really tired. Are you going to stay until morning?”

  He shook his head, “No, we will stay for a while, but we will be gone in the morning. Here are your keys, there is a car in the garage, the deed to this house. It’s all in your new name. Y
our bank information, everything you need to start over is right in that envelope. The fridge is stocked as well as the pantry. Everything is done. Have a good life.” He slid a phone across the counter to me. “My number, Al’s number are in there. Don’t hesitate, if you need us. Enjoy your freedom, you deserve it. Now go to bed.”

  I walked around the counter and hugged him, “Thank you.”

  He smiled passing me off to Al, “Above and beyond,” I whispered.

  “Hopefully, I won’t ever see you again. But know that I am always here if you need me.”

  I wiped the tears from my face, and walked out of the room. Climbing into bed with Jo, I crashed.

  Chapter Sixteen

  It killed me to let her go. I had to trust that Al would keep her safe. A few minutes after they left the car door opened.

  “Don’t,” he said.

  I sat there looking at him. Everything made sense. He was here to see her. “What do you want? You told me I was out.”

  “You did the right thing hiring Blackshaw. They can get her out, keep her safe. She is gone now. You won’t ever find her.”

  I reached for the door handle, “I fucking love her.”

  His hand wrapped around my wrist, “You will get her killed. She is all I have left in this world and I can’t let that happen. I set this up, so they would get her out. You will never know how deep this goes. I tried to get you out, I thought I did. But fucking Little has you by the balls. Let Joe Blackshaw help you. If he can’t erase this, I’m afraid you will never see her again.”

  “How can you do this. Doesn’t her happiness mean anything to you?”

  He chuckled, “Paul, I am doing this so she can be happy. Her life means more to me than her happiness with you. She will end you herself, if she believes Joanna is in danger. Let her go for now. Let them save her. Let this ride itself out.”

  “How can you sit here, knowing you are ripping her heart out by taking her away.”

  “That’s just it, I’m not taking her anywhere. I have no idea where she is going. I don’t want to know. Your guy Denny is on my payroll. Victoria figured it out. She is smart Paul, and she would have, if she hasn’t already figured out you. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, you weren’t supposed to fall in love with her.”

  “I didn’t know who she was. You failed to tell me. I didn’t know until it was too late. I’m done with this life, her and Joanna are all I want.”

  “I wanted my son not to die, but he did. I wanted not to be dragged into this fucking life, but I made a mistake, like you and I had no choice. I’m giving you a choice now. Being who I am, I am giving you a choice.”

  “I choose her, I choose them. I want what was taken from me five years ago. I want my fucking happiness with her. Do what you have to do.”

  “Don’t resort to your old life, this could take time. Lots of time. Just know that Blackshaw has her secure.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I know Blackshaw. He is straight and hardcore. That man would end your life if he thought you were going to hurt her. Their only sister was murdered by her husband. Their soul focus is to protect women and children.”

  “So he is on your payroll?”

  He laughed, “I wish he could be bought. Those boys have skills, and his men aren’t easily swayed. Do what you need to do to end this. I will do what I need to do. Blackshaw will let you know when there is no footprint of you left. Victoria’s is already gone. She is a ghost and will remain one for the rest of her life. It’s the only thing I have left to give her.”

  “Does she know you are here?”

  “Yes, I’ve spoken to her. She knows.”

  I put my head down. There is nothing I can do. “Get out,” I said to him. “Just get the fuck out.”

  He nodded and opened the door. When he shut it, the tears just came. I don’t know how long I sat there, when I finished I started the car and went back to the lake house. I made it to the bedroom, I don’t know why I thought she’d be there but she wasn’t. I didn’t even bother getting undressed. I just fell on the bed, crying myself to sleep.

  I woke to feel a tiny hand on my face. Opening my eyes, I am greeted with a beautiful smile. “Momma, why did we leave Paul?”

  I pulled her into my arms. “He had some things to do still. But this is our new house. How about we make some panny cakes and explore. Maybe go shopping and get some new clothes.”

  “Then is Paul coming?”

  “I don’t know baby. I don’t know if he is ever coming. But it’s okay. There is a beach in our backyard.”

  Her eyes lit up. We spent our day exploring the house, there were four bedrooms, a fancy basement. We discovered, there were clothes in the closets, and toys for Joanna. Joe was right, everything we needed was here. We wandered into the yard, there were toys out there, we walked to the beach and sat in the sand. We took a nap on the big couch in the living room watching a movie.

  Me, well, I was always scanning the horizon. Having lived my life always wondering what was next it was a bit difficult to relax. In the past three years the only place that held me like that was in his arms. There I felt safe, complete and loved.

  Days passed, soon weeks had taken us by storm. We laughed, we played, we lived. After three months, I found myself not looking to the horizon. I actually believed that we were going to be okay. Joanna didn’t ask about Paul after that first day.

  Summer was coming to an end and it was time for her to start school, they had a pre-kinder class, so I took our new paperwork and I enrolled her. She would go three days a week from eight in the morning until noon. I was nervous letting her go, but her eyes were big and she was so excited.

  On the first day, I walked out of school with tears in my eyes. I couldn’t leave her, so I sat in the car and waited for the day to be over. This went on for the first two weeks. Eventually I drove away, but not without a heavy heart. This too became our routine, our life. I had never had this before. But I soon relaxed enough to enjoy the excitement in her eyes, the energy she had when she would run out of school with her newest art project. Our fridge at home had become her art gallery.

  It took me two months before I could sleep away from her, but Joe and Al were right, he was right. My life was my own. I had to believe that no one was coming for us.

  I had met my neighbors, Jake and Jenna Aberdeen, the man who did this for me. They had a lovely set of twins and were the kindest of people. Our life had become exactly that, our life.

  It has been maddening not being with them. Waiting for the time to disappear. I missed her so much. Al had let me know that they were good, finally relaxed. Joanna had started pre-kinder and was as happy as could be.

  Me, well my life was shit. Marciano was still on the big list, but Little stopped asking me where Victoria was. Now it was him threatening me trying to force me to tell him what I knew. I think this was a test of sorts, to see if I was worthy of Victoria, to see if I could keep her safe.

  It was coming up on Thanksgiving, when Little decided he was done with me and this was a lost cause. I had been away from Victoria and Joanna for nearly six months. My heart ached for them. I am hoping that Christmas doesn’t go by without us being together. I’ve managed to move the majority of my money to an off shore account, to a name that Joe has given me. My first name is still Paul, as he assured me that Victoria and Joanna had kept theirs. I wondered if they had the same last name as my new identity says. I wanted to ask Joe, but thought better of it. I haven’t said her name, or made reference to her since she left.

  We had one conversation where I think Al wanted to kill me when I told him it was Marciano in the car with me. But other than that, nothing. I just got little bits of information from Joe. I couldn’t fill a piece of paper with the info he had given me, but that’s all right. As long as they were safe and alive I didn’t care. One day I will be with them, and we will be a family. Reaching in my pocket my fingers touch the ring I bought for her. Smiling I know she will be
my wife.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Joanna was so excited about her Christmas concert. We had to go buy her a beautiful new dress of course, and she looked adorable in it. They had two weeks off of school for the holiday and we were looking forward to playing in the snow. We had already built a small snowman in the yard, with a carrot nose and all. She named him Jupiter. It was her planet of the week that week. She knows them all now.

  I woke up when she came in my room, “Momma, we have to get up, today is the day for my school concert.”

  Looking at the clock I smiled, “Joanna, it’s six in the morning. School doesn’t start for two more hours.” I reached for her pulling her in bed with me.

  “But momma, today is a special day.”

  “Oh it is, is it?”

  She nodded her head, “It is.”

  I laughed and cuddled with her until the alarm went off. “Come on then, let’s get some breakfast and then get you dressed.”

  She ran into the living room and turned on the tree, “Momma are you sure Santa is going to find us?”

  “Well you sent him a letter so I think he will.”

  It felt good to know that these are the things she was worried about. Not who was going to kill us. We have become very comfortable with our life. We had breakfast and then we got dressed. I dropped her off at school, as I was turning to walk away she said. “Don’t forget momma, the concert is after school.”

  “I wouldn’t forget.” I said as I hugged her. It made me wonder why she would say that. I never forget anything. I watched her hang up her jacket and then walk into her classroom. I made my way out to the car. Not paying attention, when I stepped off the curb I looked up and nearly had a heart attack.