Part 501

"Bec?" Billy knocked tentatively on the bedroom door where Becca was feeding Garrett. He knew she was probably pretty drained from her outburst earlier, and he didn’t want to disturb her, but …

"Come on in, Billy," she called out, covering herself and the nursing baby with a receiving blanket.

"Oh. Umm … Sorry to interrupt," he stammered and Becca almost laughed when she realized he was actually blushing.

"It’s ok, Billy, what’s up?" she smiled.

"I need to run downstairs for a few minutes. Will you be all right?"

"Of course Billy, I’m fine. What’s up?" she asked again.

"Ahh, I have no clue. Some bullshit about hotel security I have to deal with. I shouldn’t be too long. I’ll have my cell if you need me."

"Billy, we’re fine. It’s just so nice and quiet with everyone gone. I guess I needed this down time more than I realized."

The big man grinned. "Well, enjoy it, missy, all hell starts up again tomorrow night."

"I know." Becca rolled her eyes, but grinned back at him. She was actually looking forward to the show and singing with Nick for the first time. Nervous, yes, but excited.

"I know that look. You’ve got something planned." He narrowed his eyes, trying to goad her into spilling the beans.

"Nope, not gonna work. And don’t you DARE say anything to anyone else."

"Not ME. I like to mess with their heads as much as the next guy," he smirked. "I’ll be back in a bit. Remember-"

"Yes, daddy, I’ll call you if I need you! Now just go, and take your time. You deserve a break after freezing your ass off in the park this afternoon."

"A ‘break’?" he shot back. "Hell, I deserve a raise." He turned to go. "Back in a bit."

"See ya!" Becca called out to his retreating back. "Your Uncle Billy is such a good guy, Garrett," she said, smiling down into those damn Carter blue eyes that matched his father’s. "He puts up with so much nonsense from us." She sighed as the baby snuffled against her breast, wrapping his tiny hand around the finger she held out.

It was quiet in the suite, certainly quieter than she’d been accustomed to since coming back to Nick some five months ago, and she began to doze with a sleeping Garrett still in her arms. Billy had been gone maybe only twenty minutes when Becca was awakened by a knocking on the outer door to the suite.

Becca looked down at Garrett and smiled. Just like his daddy, it appeared he could sleep through almost anything. The knocking continued, and Becca finally was awake enough to remember that Billy was gone. She laughed to herself, assuming it was probably Billy. It would be just like the big, hulking security guard to get himself locked out of his client’s rooms. "Hold your horses," she called out. "I’m coming!" Adjusting the sleeping infant on her left arm, she reached for the doorknob. "Whatsa matter, Billy, did you forget your-" As she flung open the door, she stopped in mid-sentence, horrified by her visitor.

"Mrs. Carter, we meet again," Lou said, oozing charm and stepping past her into the suite like he owned the place.

"If you’re looking for my husband, he’s not here." Becca made no bones about being gracious. He was not a welcome guest.

He turned to her with a smile she could only describe later as sickening. "I know. None of them are here, they’re all downtown having a grand old time. Except you." His eyes met hers and Becca’s blood ran icy cold.

Oh god, she thought. I’m alone, alone with this psychopath. She stepped around him, trying to maintain a safe distance, but in spite of his size he was quick. "Now Becca, there’s nothing to be concerned about," he said softly. "I just wanted to visit with you. Our earlier … ‘chat’ … was so rudely interrupted."

"I have nothing to say to you. Get out."

"Not just yet." He looked at the sleeping baby in her arms and smiled, a strange smile that would set off alarms in the head of ANY mother, young or old. "Such a beautiful boy," he mused, stroking the infant’s cheek with his fingertips. "But then all of the Carter boys are beautiful, don’t you agree?"

Becca’s stomach lurched as he touched her son. "Get out," she whispered once again, taking a step back. "And don’t ever touch my child again."

"Or what? Don’t make idle threats, Becca. People who cross me usually live to regret it."

"I’m not afraid of you like-"

He laughed. "Like your husband is? That makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Makes you begin to think about what he’s hiding, Becca. Maybe he’s not the beautiful golden boy everyone thinks he is."

"How dare you insinuate-"

"But then," he continued, "Maybe you’re not the innocent he thinks you are, either."

Becca was in shock. "You’re insane," she finally laughed.

"Videos don’t lie, Becca."

"What?!"

"Don’t play the innocent with me," he sneered. "There are others who can be very cooperative. For a price, of course." He watched Becca’s face, and knew it was time to move in for the kill. "I know all about that evening at the resort. Surely you remember, Becca? The one your faggot boyfriend McIntyre took you to? The video footage from that sweet evening is quite entertaining."

"No," Becca gasped. "There IS no video. And how do you know about Andrew?"

"Oh my dear, certainly you can recall all of Andrew’s friends that were gathered around the bar that night? All this time you thought they were willing to settle for his word that he’d fucked you?" Lou laughed, a side-splitting belly laugh that scared the hell out of her. "No my dear, he had better proof than his word. They all knew what you didn’t: he was a first-class liar and a faggot to boot. They’d never believe he’d scored with you without visual proof. And he handed your virginal little escapade over to them without so much as a backward glance."

Silent tears were streaming down her face as she stood in mute shock.

"Your friends won’t be bothering me anymore now, will they?" he asked her point blank.

"I don’t believe you, and I won’t be blackmailed," she said through her tears, bravely holding her ground.

"But you’re not one hundred percent certain, are you?" he smiled serenely. "That’s enough for me. Good night Becca," he said, stepping forward to kiss her cheek before she could react. "Sleep well."

And then he was gone.

Becca was shaking so hard she couldn’t move. Garrett was squirming in her arms, and only the sound of the door opening had the power to mobilize her.

"Becca?" Billy asked, taking in the look on her face and the way she jumped as the door closed behind him. "What’s wrong? I’m calling Nick." He pulled his cell phone from his pocket when she couldn’t seem to answer him, but disconnected when she grabbed his arm.

"NO! Don’t! Don’t call Nick. I’m fine, really. I … I just … I had a bad dream. See, I fell asleep and it … it was so real." She rushed through her words as Billy read into the things she wasn’t saying.

"It was about Lou, wasn’t it." Billy had a scowl on his face a mile wide, and Becca just knew he’d seen through her story.

"Lou?" she squeaked. "Yes. Yes, it was," she rushed to assure him. "And it just scared me, but I’m all right. Really."

"I can still call Nick …"

"No, thanks Billy, but no. I’m gonna go get ready for bed. Maybe I can get back to sleep," she lied. On impulse, she walked over to him and hugged him with the arm that didn’t have a squirming infant in it. "Thanks. I’m glad you’re here."

"I’ll be here until everyone gets back, Becca. Go on to bed."

Billy watched as she walked slowly back into her bedroom. The baby clutched tightly to her breast. Something wasn’t right. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something just wasn’t right.

Part 502        Index