Hope wasted no time
telling Bo about her encounter with his father. ‘Victor hates her, really hates her. You should’ve heard the way he spoke about her, it was
horrible. You both need to watch your backs, Carly… I mean Clarice… especially. He could easily do something to hurt her, just
out of spite.’
Bo, nodded, a scowl on his
face. ‘I’ll talk to him. Thanks for letting me know about it.’
‘But all the same Bo… don’t you think you’re
endangering yourself by being with her?’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You needn’t take that tone
with me, Bo.’ Hope said coldly. ‘Lawrence Alamain sounds far more ruthless than
Victor and very dangerous. If he ever finds out Clarice’s still alive, he’ll
come after her… and you. He might
even come after the family.’
‘It won’t come to that.’
‘I know you feel like you can
handle a man like Alamain but you got to think of the consequences as well!’
Hope insisted. ‘Have you even thought about this at all?’
‘Of course I have, why would
you think otherwise?’
At first it seemed Hope was
going to regard his question as rhetorical but she replied in a low voice, ‘Your
passion for her is clouding your judgment. Like it or not, she’s still that
man’s wife and he will come for her the moment he finds out she’s in Salem.
Don’t you have a care of what might happen to the family if you and Alamain
take your feud really far?’
Bo glared at Hope, filled with
resentment. It may be her idea of
showing she still cared about him but all the same was talking down to him as
if he was some starry-eyed sucker. ‘I’m more than capable of protecting my
family… and Clarice. None of them
come first over the other, like you’re insinuating. Just like I’m more than capable
of handling Alamain if he ever comes back here and this time, he’s going to see
just how much I’ll hurt him he so much as lay a finger on her again. I know him
but he knows me and just what I’m capable of when it comes to the people I love.’
Hope flinched at the chilly
tone in his voice. ‘I wasn’t implying you cared about Clarice above the
family.’ She muttered, though that was exactly what she had done.
‘Well, I don’t, just so you
know.’ Bo replied, refusing to get into an argument with her. She no longer had
the power to make him feel unworthy. ‘I’ll deal with Victor later and I’m
prepared for Larry, you don’t have to worry about that.’
‘Listen Brady, I’m saying all
this because I’m worried, not casting any doubts about you.’
‘Oh really?’ Bo sneered. ‘You
sure have a shorter memory than I do then. And didn’t you say earlier that I
was letting my passion as you called
it- cloud my judgment?’
Hope blushed red with
mortification. She should have known he would bring her unfair behaviour up,
and maybe she should’ve put her words more tactfully. She wasn’t doing a very
good job trying to adapt to the new situation, but what else did she expect?
She still loved Bo and after so many years together, it was far too difficult for
her to see him differently. ‘Must you keep doing this?’ she said at last, dark
eyes glinting from suppressed tears. ‘Even though things have changed so much
between us, I don’t expect you to be so petty, the way you keep rubbing
what I did in my face… as if I haven’t regretted it enough. I’m not your enemy,
all right?’
Bo suddenly felt ashamed of
himself. Hope was right, he was being
petty. She had no right to assume he valued Clarice above his own family but
all the same bringing up what happened during and after Ciara’s kidnap was
downright mean of him. He was in a different place and with a different woman;
he shouldn’t be nursing or bringing up old resentments. And he certainly would
never consider Hope his enemy. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, reaching out to her. But
Hope, feeling really hurt, didn’t want a ‘pity’ hug from him; hence edged away
from him with dignity. ‘I’m said what needs to be said. Just watch your back,
that’s all.’ She said coolly before leaving his office, closing the door behind
her.
Maybe part of her blunt words
had sprung from jealousy but overall, Hope had meant well. Even though she was
no longer married to him, she still considered his family as hers, naturally
would be concerned about their well being. Bo promised himself he would
apologize to Hope properly later. As he resumed his work, his iPhone suddenly
bleeped. It was a text message from an unknown number:
All’s Well; I love you. C
Clarice! He thought, heart clenching. She
wasn’t supposed to send it at all but Bo was very glad she did. He missed her
terribly, worrying over her safety and the old aching void he’d felt when she
walked out of his life years ago consumed him so much that he found himself
unable to sleep since she kissed him goodbye at the airport. But it was
completely different this time. She was coming back to him, will come back to him. ‘I love you too,
princess.’ He said softly, running his thumb over the phone screen as though
rubbing her soft cheek. Only when she was safely back in his arms will he feel
better.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
From
the scowl on his son’s face, Victor knew the reason for his visit. ‘Before you
say anything, hear me out first. You didn’t have to tell Hope what went on
between us and Carly. It was a very long time ago, how dare you put me under
the bus like that?’
‘Hope
had the right to know the truth and exactly what you’re capable of and I wasn’t
about to let you poison her mind about Carly.’
Victor
snorted. ‘You’ve never believed I’ve changed, have you Bo? To you, I’ll always
be the ruthless gangster.’
‘Who
once tried to kill me, had my home burnt to a shell and almost destroyed
Carly’s life? No Victor, you are incapable of changing who you are. And after
what Hope told me, I’m even more certain of it.’ Bo’s eyes were like gimlets.
‘I came by to warn you and it’s no idle threat. Don’t think you’re invisible or
above the law. If you do anything to harm Clarice, I’ll make you pay in ways
you can’t imagine.’
‘What
exactly do you think I would do?’ Victor snapped. ‘I don’t care about that
tramp to waste my precious time with her.’
‘Come
on Victor, if there’s one thing you have besides this stupid bitterness over
your failed marriage with her, it’s spite.
And it doesn't take a genius to guess just what you can do to spite her, like
say tell an equally ruthless bastard that Clarice is still alive.’
‘Don’t
you put me in the same drawer as Lawrence Alamain.’
‘You
were once married to the heartless bitch who buried her alive. And I didn’t
tell Hope anything about you that wasn’t true. You’re capable of doing just
about anything so quit trying to sound as white as snow. This is me you’re talking to remember? And by
the way… don’t you dare call the woman I love a tramp in front of me again,
ever.’
‘The woman you love… how could you do it…
choosing her over Hope; the mother of your children? Carly left you and Shawn
Douglas for Alamain in the first place! She…’
‘She
what…she got what she deserved from
him, isn’t that what you want to say? Go ahead, finish what you want to say!’
Bo snarled at him. ‘And you wonder why I think of you the way I do. I’m
certainly justified!’
Victor
turned away, trembling with anger. He hated Carly true enough but for his son
to think so badly of him… it wounded
him. He knew his conversation with Hope made her warn Bo but in truth they were
simply words…. words of anger. He was no saint but he would never endanger
Bo or the family by informing Alamain about Carly. But his
history with Bo and Carly were against him, it was going to be difficult to
convince Bo he had no plans of doing what he assumed. He turned back to stare
at Bo who was still scowling, his eyes hard. ‘Maybe I’ve not been the father
Shawn Brady was to you,’ he said gruffly. ‘But I’m not the man I was several
years ago either. You don’t need to waste your anger or threats on me, I’m not going to contact Alamain… or Vivian.
You have my word on that.’ He held out his hand for a handshake but Bo didn’t
take it, still thinking over what Hope told him, that Victor had wished Clarice had died in the elevator
that terrible night. If it was said out of sheer anger, Bo didn’t believe it,
all the more reason to protect Clarice
even more closely. ‘None the less, I’ll be keeping my eye on you, Victor, count
on that. I’ll see myself out.’
Victor
sat down, for the umpteenth time wishing Carly Manning never came back to
Salem.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Russia
Two figures strode along a darkened alley
between two apartment buildings until they reached a side entrance. The taller
of the two punched some numbers on a keypad and they went in after the door
buzzed open, glad to escape from the icy cold air. No words were exchanged
during the ride in the creaky elevator or the walk down the dark narrow
passageway to the far end. The door was unlocked and they entered, firmly
locking the door behind them.
‘Risking our necks the way we
do, you would think they would provide better digs.’ Agent Dalton, code name
“White Fox” said, scanning the tiny apartment with distaste as he took off his
heavy jacket. Moving to a desk at the corner, he immediately set up their
sophisticated communications system to speak with the Director, while Clarice
switched on the thermostat, feeling the cold numbness leave her body as the
radiators gushed out soothing warm air. As soon as they were patched in, they
both gave a summarised report. The
Director congratulated them on a job well done; addressing them by their code
names and looked forward to see them in New York for debriefing. After five
days on the move, the tiny flat and the old but comfortable couch she lay on
was a huge relief to Clarice. And an even better relief… the mission was a
success and she’ll be back in Salem, back with Bo… the love of her life. It’s a
wonder she was able to concentrate on the mission at all, her time away from
him seemed like an eternity.
‘Don’t worry; you’ll be back
with him in no time.’ Dalton’s voice broke into her thoughts. She looked up to
see him grinning. ‘I’m assuming you’re thinking about the rugged Commissioner
Brady.’ He laughed as Clarice’s blush confirmed his suspicions. ‘You kept a
good secret, Juno,’ addressing her by her code name, ‘but I saw the light in
your eyes whenever you mentioned him. You’re really into him, aren’t you?’ he
asked, settling down on an armchair opposite her and began pulling off his
boots.
‘We’re
in a relationship, yes.’ Clarice said, feeling herself blushing even redder, to
her annoyance.
‘Committed?’
‘Very committed.’
Dalton’s
amused expression turned into a frown. ‘Really? But you’re supposed to be in
Salem for just a year. What’s going to happen after that… a long distance
relationship? That hardly ever works.’
‘I’m aware of that,’ Clarice replied coolly.
‘It’s something I’ll have to talk to Bo about.’ She had no intention of doing
such a thing but she didn’t want to discuss it further with Dalton. Dalton saw
the resolute look on her face and wisely kept his peace, getting up to go to
the kitchen to make coffee and raid the stocked larder. Dalton had naturally
assumed she and Bo would maintain a “Skype” relationship once her year with
Salem P.D was over. What he didn’t know was that she loved Bo more than enough
to do something she’d long decided on but was yet to tell Bo himself. A few
more days and she’ll see Bo again…
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Using
his credentials to enter the customs hall, Bo scanned the emerging travellers,
looking for Clarice. She called him from New York a few days ago, telling him
when her plane was coming in. The anticipation was killing him. And finally he saw
her walking towards him and he savoured her joy in her return. Clarice’s eyes met his,
her face breaking into a smile as she hurried over to him; into his eager,
outstretched arms. Not caring people were milling around and probably enjoying
the show, their kiss was deep, feverish and passionate; tightly enfolded in each
other’s arms. Bo raised his head, to stroke her hair and look into her vibrant
green eyes. ‘Welcome home, princess,’ he said softly before kissing her again. Clarice
clung to him, happy tears stinging her eyes.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bo
showed Clarice how much he’d missed her later that night. Taking her by the
hand upstairs, he led her to his room where they shed each other’s clothes
before sinking on to the bed. Desperately in need for each other, they skipped
foreplay, Clarice thrusting her body
against his as he thrust into her, her nails raking his back as they moved
together; their reunion almost unbearably passionate as they rode on waves of sheer ecstasy until
reaching the pinnacle together; Bo pressing his face against the side of her
neck. Long afterwards, they lay against
each other in the dark, blissfully content as they talked in low tones. Bo
stroked her hair, pressing a light kiss on her forehead. ‘I’ve been thinking a
lot since you’ve been away, about us.’
The
hand rubbing his chest stilled. ‘What about us?’ she asked, fear in her voice.
‘No,
nothing bad.’ Bo squeezed her bare shoulder reassuringly. ‘It’s just the longer
you were away, the more I realized I can’t stand being without you. And I kept
thinking about our present situation.’
Clarice moved in his arms, shifting to look up at him.
‘The
separate houses thing we’ve got going on. I think we need to put an end to it,
don’t you?’
‘You’re
asking me to move in with you?’ Clarice asked quietly.
‘Yes
I am.’ Bo replied, his voice also quiet. ‘I want you with me, every night; see
you whenever I walk through the door. For the rest of our lives, I want us to
be together.’
For the rest of our lives. It was something Bo had told
her ages ago yet those heartfelt words held an even deeper meaning to Clarice.
When he’d first declared his love for her, she’d felt they were moving a tad
too fast; since he was just about to end an over two decade marriage. But later
she realised just how they were deeply connected on so many levels that nothing
else mattered. Her time away from him had further shown her that he was a huge
part of her soul. She touched his face,
her thumb moving over his lower lip, loving him so much. She had no doubts
about her long unquestionable decision; it was absolutely sealed. ‘I want that
too,’ she replied, her voice trembling slightly. ‘So much so that… I’ve decided
that after my official time in Salem is over, I’m going to resign from the ISA.’
Bo
was silent and she could feel him staring at her in the dark. ‘You would do
that?’ he asked at last, his arms tightening round her. ‘Are you sure about
this?’
‘I
can’t stand being away from you either. You’re the love of my life Bo Brady; my
whole life.’
‘Oh,
Princess…’ Bo kissed her hard and hugged her close, humbled by the power of
Clarice’s love. For a long time he’d agonised over how to put the question of
her job to her, but had been afraid she would accuse him of immediately
assuming she would be willing to give up it all up for him. He’d never felt so relieved
or happier. ‘Thank you.’
‘My
place is here with you,’ Clarice said softly, kissing him again, hooking a leg
over his hip. Moving over her, Bo’s hand moved between her legs; his fingers
caressing her until she was trembling with desire. Her arms went round his neck,
pulling him down and they made love all over again.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
He
balefully stared at the image on his phone again. Dark glasses, clad in a black
expensive looking coat and looking older but he was more than certain it was
her. The bitch was alive.
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