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  “Who is Ursula Vickers?”

  “That’s his wife.” Hattie caught herself. “Well, they’re getting a divorce.”

  “So, they’re separated?” Dee asked.

  “I told Boyce to let it ride and she might come back to him.” She smiled. “I was hoping.”

  “You like Ursula?” Connie handed Boyce’s picture to Dee.

  “Very much. She’s so beautiful. She used to be a model. She’s from Norway.”

  “Interesting.” Dee wrote down the info.

  “I couldn’t ask for a better daughter-in-law. I always wanted a daughter and she fit right in.”

  Connie smiled. “That’s sweet.”

  “Yeah, and extremely unusual,” Dee said. “Usually the mother-in-law can’t stand the daughter-in-law.”

  “Well, Ursula’s sweet as candy,” Hattie said. “I don’t think she’d know anything since they haven’t spoken much since the split.”

  Connie sipped coffee. “How long they’ve been split?”

  “About a month and a half.”

  Dee whistled. “A fresh breakup then.”

  “I get your tone and you’re wrong.” Hattie waved her finger, her sparse eyebrows rising. “Ursula wouldn’t do anything to my Boyce. I know in the bottom of my heart that she still loves him.”

  “Don’t worry, Mrs. Vickers.” Dee winked. “Whatever’s going on, we’ll figure it out.”

  “I just want him to be safe.” Hattie did the sign of the cross by touching her forehead, chest and shoulders. “Please, God let him be safe.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  “I have no idea where Boyce is,” said Ursula Vickers with a slick Norwegian accent as she handed Dee and Connie glasses of iced tea. “Sorry, I can’t be of much help.” She strutted toward the leopard-print couch, the sleek-off-the-shoulder summer dress magnifying her long, hourglass figure.

  “Hattie said you were a model.” Dee sipped the tangy tea, getting a tinge of lemon. “I’ve seen you but can’t remember from where.”

  Ursula lay on the couch sideways as if she were Christie Brinkley on a 1980’s photo shoot. “I did a lot of magazines and swimsuit modeling.” Her bleach-blonde hair flowed over her shoulders in loose waves. “Didn’t reach supermodel status, but I did okay.”

  Dee wagged her finger. “Weren’t you on those Porsche commercials back in the early two-thousands?”

  “Yes.” Dimples popped from Ursula’s tanned cheeks.

  “They showed those commercials all the time,” Connie said.

  “I did mostly bikini work.” Ursula ran her fingers under her hair. “Was featured in Sports Illustrated once too.” She scoffed. “Didn’t make the cover though.”

  “Wow.” Dee lowered her glass, swallowing. “You’ve kept your looks.”

  “Mm-hm.” Connie sipped.

  “Thank you.” Ursula did a catlike, sexy move with her shoulders. “As I was saying, I can’t tell you where Boyce is.” Her gold bracelet slid on her skinny arm. “Is there anything else?”

  “You don’t seem too concerned that he’s missing,” Dee said.

  “Is he really missing? Boyce is always running off somewhere.”

  “Your mother-in-law didn’t say that,” Connie said.

  “People outside don’t know what goes on inside a marriage.”

  “So, Boyce was a cheater?” Dee raised an eyebrow. “He’d run off with women?”

  “I don’t know.” Ursula got cigarettes and a lighter from the silver, metallic coffee table. “I didn’t pay much attention.”

  A grin caught in Dee’s throat. “Well, if my husband was running off here and everywhere I’d wanna know. Wouldn’t you, Connie?”

  She nodded, glaring at Ursula.

  “Pardon me, but are you always so laid back and nonchalant?” Dee asked.

  “When someone treats you like garbage all the time, you grow an armor to where you don’t let things bother you anymore.” Ursula lit the cigarette and tossed the lighter on the table. “Boyce is selfish and never paid me any attention. I’m accustomed to being the center of my man’s world.”

  Dee snickered. “I bet you are.”

  “I lowered myself for him.” Ursula pointed to the leopard-print rug by the couch. “Boyce is a good-looking man, but he isn’t anywhere near the men I usually date in status.”

  Dee and Connie swapped glances.

  “I’m used to dating rich men. I dated athletes and politicians. Yes, I fell in love with Boyce but I think we were just too different.” She rubbed the armrest. “Maybe we got married for the wrong reasons. I wanted a man to settle down with and he wanted a trophy wife.” She crossed her long legs, pouting. “Should’ve known it wouldn’t work out.”

  “When’s the last time you heard from Boyce?” Dee scribbled on her pad.

  “A few weeks.” Ursula stuck out her pink, glossy lips. “He wanted to talk about us again but I told him I’m done.”

  “Boyce doesn’t want the divorce?” Connie set her drink on the baby grand beside her. “Who plays the piano? You or Boyce?”

  Ursula smirked. “I’m taking lessons now. Keeps my mind off the negative. As for Boyce wanting the divorce, hell no. He’d do anything to keep me accept paying me some attention. He wants me to sit in this house all day but look at me.” She shimmied her shoulders, the nipples of her tiny breasts shaking underneath the dress. “Do I look like I need to be in the house all the time?”

  “Is there anyone you feel we should talk to?” Dee watched Ursula under her lashes. “Hattie gave us a list. What about Frankie?”

  “He was Boyce’s best friend.”

  “Was?” Connie squinted. “They fell out?”

  Ursula nodded. “Had a disagreement. I don’t know about what.”

  “How long ago was this?” Dee inquired.

  Ursula tangled her index finger in her hair. “Probably a month ago.”

  ****

  “Wow.” Dee chuckled as she and Connie walked toward Dee’s white Chevy Malibu five minutes later. “She is something else, isn’t she?”

  “I’ve never met someone like her.” Connie gaped, batting. “She glides around like she’s on stage.”

  “And, doesn’t give a damn about anything.” Dee stopped on the driver’s side and got out her remote. “I get that she and Boyce are splitting up but she could’ve pretended to care for our sakes.”

  They got in the car, and Dee peered at the front window of Ursula’s brick, two-story. “The picture Hattie painted is nothing like Ursula seems to be.”

  “I think she’s pulling the wool over old Hattie’s eyes.” Connie fastened her seatbelt. “She’s definitely someone to keep our eyes on.”

  Dee started the car. “I agree.”

  ****

  “Come here, you.” Winston pulled Dee off his stoop that night and scooped her into his arms. “I missed you.”

  She giggled as he sucked her neck. “You saw me all day at work.”

  “It’s never enough,” he mumbled, chewing her skin. “It’s so good to hold you.”

  She relaxed in his strong arms. “How about we stay here instead of going out?” She pushed his curls behind his ears. “Watch Turner Classic Movies.”

  “I have a better idea.” He gyrated against her, gripping her buttocks. “We don’t have to watch anything.”

  “Mm.” She sucked her lip, his hardness caressing her thigh. “Not sure you deserve this chocolate tonight.”

  He cackled, throwing his head back. “What do I have to do, huh?” He sucked her ear. “I’ll be your love slave.”

  “Ooh.” She smashed her chest against his pronounced pecs under his shirt. “Don’t make that offer if you don’t mean it.”

  “I mean it.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, causing her heart to race and legs shake. “Come on.” He grabbed her hand, pulling her into the hall.

  She stopped. “Carry me.”

  He gave her hard smacks on the lips as he carried her into the master bedroom. “I
’m sorry about Lisa, okay?”

  “Sh.” She jumped out his arms and unbuttoned his shirt. “The last thing I wanna think about is Lisa.”

  His pine cologne swirling, Winston perched Dee on the dresser, lifting her blouse.

  “Yes.” Tides of ecstasy built inside her panties. “Don’t stop.”

  “I won’t.” He slid cologne bottles out the way and lay her flat, kissing her stomach.

  Dee moaned, sticking her leg into the air as his mouth made it to her belt buckle.

  “Get this off.” He snatched the belt open and unzipped her slacks.

  “Oh god.” Dee rubbed her breasts through her beige bra. “Fuck me.” She bit her lip. “Please.”

  The doorbell rang.

  “What the?” Winston sighed with his face in her belly button.

  Dee rose on her elbows. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  “I’m not expecting anyone.” Winston moved from the dresser, fixing his shirt. “Whoever it is, is about to get their ass kicked.”

  “Yeah, by me.” Dee straightened her clothes as she followed Winston into the living room.

  His naked feet slapped against the hardwood floor as he continued to the front door.

  “Jesus.” Dee sat on the couch, shock waves flooding her pussy.

  Winston walked back into the living room with Lisa Swanson. “We got company.”

  “Hey, girl.” Lisa hurried to the couch and grabbed Dee into a hug. “Eh-oh.” She stood back, grinning. “Am I interrupting a romantic moment?”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Winston exhaled, blushing. “Why do you say that?”

  Lisa snickered, sitting beside Dee on the plaid couch. “Because you both look like you’ve been rolling around in the dryer.”

  Winston cleared his throat.

  “Well, whatever we were doing we ain’t doing it now.” Dee rolled her eyes. “Did Winston know you were coming by because he didn’t tell me?”

  “No.” Lisa’s red blouse brought an orange hue to her brown skin. “I wanted to stop by. Is that a problem?”

  Winston smiled.

  “It’s kinda rude to just stop by unannounced, Leece.”

  “Dee.” Winston’s eyebrows flattened. “Lisa, it’s fine.”

  “I’m sorry.” Her pristine crop cut showed off her elegant jawline. “It won’t happen again.”

  Dee wiggled her feet on the coffee table. “How would you feel if I was in Jake’s face every time you turned around?”

  “Uh...” Lisa batted her long lashes.

  “We were getting ready to fuck and you pop up without calling—”

  “Dee.” Winston held his waist, glowering. “Stop it. Why are you acting like this?”

  “To be honest, you’ve had an attitude with me a lot lately,” Lisa said. “Did I do something?”

  “Oh, how about being in my man’s face all the time? Could that be a problem?”

  “Dee, you are way out of line.”

  “That’s okay, Winston.” Lisa flashed her palm at him. “Dee, you know damn well nothing is going on between me and Winston.”

  “Do I?”

  “I love you.” Lisa touched Dee’s thigh. “Don’t do this.”

  “Why are you here though?” Dee held out her arms. “What now? Every time you have an issue you come to Winston.”

  “That’s not true.” Lisa exhaled, nostrils flaring. “Why are you being like this?”

  Dee sighed. “Never mind.”

  “Lisa, I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, Winston.” She tugged on her hoop earring. “Just had news to share. I’m writing a book.”

  Dee rolled her eyes in Lisa’s direction. “Say what?”

  “I’m writing a book.” She gyrated, smiling. “It will be a guide for police officers. A basic guide for people looking to get into law enforcement. I’ve been toying around with the idea for a while and now making the plunge.”

  “Lisa, that’s great.” Winston slapped his palms together. “Isn’t that something, Dee?”

  She stuck her finger in the air. “Woo hoo.”

  Winston’s shoulders dropped. “What the hell is your problem?”

  “Oh, it’s more than clear I am,” Lisa said. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes, Dee. Winston is always so understanding and I wanted his opinion before running it by anyone else.”

  “I thought I was your best friend.”

  “You are but you’re also super critical. Every time I want to do something you don’t like you slam it.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “What about you ragging on me for wanting to teach at the college?”

  Dee flapped her hand at Lisa. “Because that’s just stupid.”

  “See?” Lisa shook her head. “Maybe I need someone to build me up sometimes, Dee.”

  “Don’t give me that crap. You like talking to Winston because he dotes on you like you’re God’s gift to the world.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Admit you love being the center of attention.” Dee grimaced. “And, Winston doesn’t mind giving it to you.”

  He rushed toward her. “That’s it, Dee.”

  “What?” She stood, sticking her face in his. “Yeah, I said it. I’m not biting my tongue any damn more.”

  “Like you ever bite your tongue,” Winston said. “You always got something to say about everybody but when folks call you out on your shit, you can’t deal with it.”

  “I’m not doing anything wrong.”

  “Don’t we have this same discussion about Grayson all the time? And you said I needed to trust you? Now you’re going bat shit crazy whenever I speak to Lisa?”

  She flung her finger in his face. “You have no business speaking to each other as much as you have been.”

  Winston guffawed. “What?”

  “You’re my man, Winston.”

  His nose curled. “You don’t own me.”

  “The hell I don’t.” Dee marched from the table, waving her arms. “Lisa, you need to respect our relationship.”

  “I can’t believe this.” She stood, clutching her purse. “Dee, we’ve been friends for years. We’ve gone through things sisters haven’t gone through together. You think I’d interfere in your relationship?” She sighed, heading out the room. “I’m gone.”

  “Lisa, wait.”

  “Let her go.” Dee turned Winston back around. “Instead of worrying about her you need to focus on your woman.”

  Lisa slammed the front door.

  “Did aliens come down and zap your brain, Dee? Why the hell are you being so unreasonable? How many damn times do I have to tell you I don’t have feelings for Lisa anymore?”

  “Until I believe it.” She wiggled her neck. “She came over here to tell you about a guide? Boy, please.”

  He shook his head. “Let’s call it a night, huh?”

  “Fine.” Dee snatched her purse off the table. “Don’t have to throw my black ass out. I’ll leave.”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Winston followed her to the front door. “You need help.”

  “No.” She opened the door. “I need for my boyfriend to stop pondering to a woman who’s never gonna be with him.”

  “I don’t want Lisa, woman. I won’t say it again.”

  “Then don’t.” She stepped on the stoop. “Because I’m sick of hearing it.”

  “Deidra.”

  She slammed the door and marched to her car. Her phone beeped when she got inside, alerting her of a text from Rena inviting her to the compound for a swim.

  Dee: That wouldn’t be a good idea. I told you, I’m not coming back over there.

  Rena: I bet you could use an escape from the stress. You won’t have to see Jonathan if that’s what you’re worried about. Just you and me...as friends. Please?

  “God.” Dee laid her head on the steering wheel. “What’s wrong with me?”

  She texted back, accepting the invitation.

  ****

  Dee and
Rena laughed as they slapped water on each other in Jonathan’s indoor pool. Dee turned a flip, kicking her legs in the air.

  “You’re having fun, huh?” Rena splashed water on Dee, her hair bound in a damp ball on top of her head. “I’m glad you came out. Why did you?”

  “Can we make a deal?” Dee lowered herself in the lukewarm water until it reached her neck. “Don’t ask me why I come here, okay?”

  “Point taken.” Rena’s valentine lips curved into a sly smile. “You seem bothered by something again.”

  “I don’t wanna talk about it.” Dee swam in a circle.

  “Sometimes I spend hours in here.” Water clung to Rena’s white bathing suit. “There are so many places at the compound where you can be free.”

  “What do you do all day?” Dee pinched her nose, releasing water from her nostrils. “Just walk around in white and meditate? Sing ‘Kumbaya’?”

  Rena lay back, fanning water with her feet. “Not exactly.”

  “What then?”

  “I live, Dee.” Rena pushed herself forward, water hitting her chin. “We live free without worries and anxieties. We do all kinds of things and have our individual hobbies. Emma loves to cook as you know. I love to play instruments.”

  “What instruments do you play?”

  “The cello.” Rena smirked. “Jonathan paid for me to have lessons. I’m not a pro yet but I’m getting there.”

  Dee’s smile faded as she remembered the dark side of Jonathan’s world. “Doesn’t it bother you that you can’t leave?”

  “It did at first but I’m thirty now and I’ve been a part of The Circle for four years. I wanted a new life, and I have no complaints.”

  “None?” Dee spit water from her lips. “That’s hard to believe. Nothing is perfect.”

  “Life in The Circle is because we live on a higher plane.” Rena drifted past Dee, staring into her eyes. “How long are you going to fight the feeling? Don’t let fear scare you away from a wonderful life.”

  “Be honest.” Dee swam across the giant, square pool. “Don’t you miss your old life a little?”

  “I miss my big brother.” Sadness swept Rena’s pronounced features. “I’d do anything to see him again.”

  “How long has it been since you’ve seen him?”