Chapter 02: Blown Away

A grizzly scene was discovered earlier this morning at the Alpha
Delta Rho fraternity house at Manchester State University.
Four men were found brutally tortured and mutilated in their own beds.
Police have identified the victims as Ben Rowlands,
Christian Fellows, Ross Patterson, and Thomas Flynn. These men were
recently on trial for the gang rape of a fellow University
student Nina McCarthy. Police at this time
have no suspects and no arrests have been made.
Coming up on Channel 7 News, how safe
is your family pet…

Melissa turned the television down as Alexa stepped into the room behind her. “You prosecuted them, didn’t you?” she asked without turning around.

“I did.”

“How does it feel to know somebody else did what you couldn’t?”

“You mean murder them in their sleep? It wasn’t my job to kill them, Melissa. I was simply tasked with sending them to prison.”

“But they had a better attorney who got them off.” 

Alexa smirked and took a sip from the iced coffee in her hand. Melissa was at it again, trying to bait her. The constant back and forth between them had become a daily routine. But no matter what Gavin’s little sister threw at her, she always had just as much of a witty reply. “They had a coward for an attorney who preferred making a deal rather than losing to me.”

“So, you made them a deal? People like that shouldn’t be allowed to get that chance.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”

“But you settled the case anyway?”

“As I am obligated to by law. I can’t refuse to make an offer if one is available. And as you may know, deals are offered by the State’s Attorney, not the prosecuting attorney. I believe you call him ‘Daddy.’”

With that, Melissa turned with a scowl toward the smirking Alexa and rolled her eyes as she jumped up in a huff. “Whatever, houseguest.” She brushed past Alexa, purposely bumping her arm, causing her to spill coffee on her white blouse. 

Alexa sighed and hurried up to her room. Thumbing through her closet, she searched for a new blouse to wear while the other soaked in cold water, going with a blue t-shirt instead of the white silk this time. “Melissa?” Gavin asked, watching Alexa rinsing her shirt beneath the kitchen faucet.

“Always.”

“I’ll speak to her.”

“No. Don’t. It’s ok. It’s only coffee…and a $1,000 Versace blouse.” Gavin’s eyes opened wider as he heard the price tag and he pulled at the material, turning it over a few times. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for the special hole that gives blowjobs.”

“What?” Alexa laughed, snatching her blouse away from him.

“If I’m paying that kind of money for a shirt, a plain white shirt at that, then I’d better be getting some type of pleasure out of it!”

“You do. You get the pleasure of seeing me in it,” she grinned, leaning into his arms to sneak a kiss. “You also get the pleasure of seeing me out of it.”

“Hmm…yeah…I think I’d prefer the blowjob.”

“Jerk!” she laughed, swatting him in the arm as he laughed. 

“Hey,” Gavin called, catching her as she started for the stairs. “Don’t let Mel get to you alright? She’s just a kid…acting out. You know how that is.”

“No, I know. I think she hates seeing me with you; protective little sister and all. I get that. It’s even kinda cute. Expensive, but cute.”

“Good. I mean not about the shirt but…I’m glad you understand,” he smiled, tipping forward slightly, he softly kissed her lips, laughing against her mouth as he thought about her shirt again. “$1,000, really? That’s more than I pay in rent every month.”

“Well in my business, you have to be able to compete with the big dogs. That means nice, fancy outfits with outrageous price tags.”

“Still. I can barely afford my overalls and Calvin Klein’s let alone one shirt in that price range.”

“Then maybe you’re in the wrong line of work.”

“Maybe! Maybe I should have asked my dad for your corner office for myself.” He nuzzled her nose with his own as he locked his arms around the small of her back.

“Hannah, there you are!” Joan cheerfully called out to her as she entered the kitchen. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“For me?” Alexa asked in shock, pulling away from Gavin. Since she’d been accepted to stay with the Stark family, Joan had barely spoken two words to her, preferring instead to send messages through her son. Hearing the matriarch of the Stark clan was actually searching her out was an interesting change of pace.

“Mmhmm,” Joan nodded, pouring herself a cup of coffee before she rested against the marble countertop. “I wanted to see if you’d like to join me at the stables this afternoon. Travis is taking Melissa and Dylan for a hike in the trails and I hate getting all sweaty up there in the valley. So, while they are doing their thing, I was hoping you and I could have a little girl time.”

“That sounds like fun, yes, I’d love that,” Alexa accepted, shooting Gavin a quick look as Joan turned her attention to the cup in her hand.

“Great. Be sure and dress appropriately. I wouldn’t want you muddying another of your expensive tops.”

Alexa’s face flushed at Joan’s remark. She’d been listening to them for who knew how long. She may have even caught the playful banter between her and her son about blowjobs in which case, Alexa’s time with Joan today could prove to be very awkward. Gavin bit back a laugh seeing the red tinge that crawled across Alexa’s face and he shrugged when she gestured at him. Excusing herself, she started back to her room to hang her shirt up to dry. 

“Gavin?”

“Yeah, Ma?”

“Are you going with your father on the hike or tinkering some more on that car out back?”

Gavin smiled. He knew his mom hated seeing the mess he made in the detached carport every weekend, but they had the space he needed to work on the project of restoring his grandfather’s car that his apartment complex simply did not. “Um…I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I guess I can take a break today and spend some time with the family.”

“Good.” He glanced in the direction Alexa disappeared and moved a little closer to where his mother stood. 

“So…how do you like her? Hannah, I mean.”

“Just fine I suppose. I really don’t like the idea of you two having premarital sex but…you’re an adult and there’s nothing I can do about that now. Why?”

“I don’t know it just seems like you two haven’t had much time to talk or get to know each other. Dylan is the only one who has spent any significant time with her, well, other than me and Dad. The Stark women, however, seem to be treating her like a bothersome gnat.”

“I am not!”

“Mom,” Gavin started, tilting his head to the side and raising his eyebrow. “You’ve barely said two words to her since she’s been here. And Melissa is out to destroy every piece of clothing of hers that she can. On top of that, she won’t even call her by name.”

“Well, I’ll have a talk with Melissa. And as far as I am concerned, I am hoping we can find some common ground today. Why do you think I invited her to the stables?”

“Ok,” Gavin sighed, nodding his head. “Just, don’t scare her off, ok? I like her.”

Alexa found Joan near the stables, speaking with one of the stable hands. While she waited for her to finish, she took a walk around the area, looking at the different horses housed in the four different stalls. The head of a large stallion popped up near the back wall and Alexa started over toward him. “I wouldn’t do that,” Joan stated behind her. “That’s Midas. He’s not very kind to strangers.”

“Oh.”

“This way.” Joan led her to the back of the large barn where one of her workers had tied a dappled palomino Morgan to a back post. “This is Duchess.”

“She’s beautiful!”

“Since moving here to St. Claire, I’ve found a real passion for horses. They are animals to truly be respected,” Joan smiled as she brushed the hair back on the mare in front of her. “Do you ride?”

“No, Ma’am, I can’t say that I do. But I’m a quick learner.”

“Please, call me Joan,” she smiled toward Alexa before turning her attention back to the task in front of her. “It took my kids a while to get used to the skill. Dylan shows an interest in it but not my other two. They are happier staying as far away from the stables as possible.”

Joan finished prepping the horses for a ride and one of the stable hands came around to give Alexa a hand with mounting her steed. Joan led her through a small valley near the water. A light breeze fanned through the colorful mixture of red, yellow and orange leaves delivering a level of comfort that made Alexa smile.

Stopping just beside the spring, Joan turned to Alexa with an unexpectedly stern look on her face. “I love my family, Hannah, and I’d go to the ends of the Earth to protect them. I don’t like people who try and come between me and them. And I especially don’t like when they are looking to harm one of them in some way. People may underestimate me because I’m usually very quiet in public, only outspoken on issues that deeply concern me. But I know the importance of being fierce when need be. You get what I’m saying?”

“I understand you completely, Joan,” Alexa replied in a serious tone as she looked the woman straight in the eyes. She was marking her territory; that was very clear. It seemed Alexa hadn’t been imagining the woman’s cold shoulder since her arrival. In fact, she was likely waiting for a chance to speak with her one-on-one to deliver her subtle threats.

“And you won’t underestimate me, will you?”

“That’s not likely.”

Joan smirked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before instructing her horse to inch closer toward Alexa. “How much longer will you be staying with us, Hannah?”

“Just until the inspection is complete. I have no desire to stay longer than I am welcomed.”

“Good! We should probably head back now. The others will be getting back from their hike soon.”

“There they are,” Travis announced watching his wife ride up with Alexa.

“I’m sorry we’re late, it’s just a really beautiful day and time got away from us,” Joan smiled, giving her husband a peck as their stable hands took the reins.

“Hey, Babe,” Gavin greeted Alexa with a small peck to the cheek. “Dad wants to take everyone out on the water. To be honest, I think he just wants to show off his boating skills to someone new.”

“You own a boat?” Alexa asked looking excitedly toward Gavin.

“Well, if you call a 60-foot yacht a boat then, yes,” Travis replied, wrapping an arm around his wife. “I figured it would be a nice day for an outing.”

“Don’t worry, Hannah. We no longer throw the blondes to the sharks,” Melissa added, leaning against her big brother with a smirk.

“Well, that’s good to know since I’m not much of a swimmer. I’d be a goner for sure.”

“And that would not sit well with me,” Gavin winked at her, squeezing Melissa deeper against his side before smiling down at her.

“Come on, let’s get you inside and changed,” Joan motioned toward her youngest, marching Dylan ahead of her. Gavin took Melissa’s hand and walked with her hugged against him. 

“Hannah, may I have a word?” Travis asked, pulling her beside him, slowly escorting her to the house. “I wanted to apologize for my outburst the other day in your office.”

“You don’t have to. I was out of line speaking to you the way I did.”

“No. You challenged me. I appreciate that. It’s one of the things I admire most about you. However, it was completely out of character for me to lose my temper and there is no excuse for my behavior.”

“I accept your apology, Travis, and offer one as well. Emotions were high. I believed in our case and made promises to Nina even though I know it’s bad to become emotionally invested. I just wanted to get the men who attacked her.”

“You’re passionate; it’s a great quality for an attorney. That enthusiasm will take you far. You were right, though. I shouldn’t have interfered in the case. You knew what you were doing and I regret having you accept that deal. It showed weakness on my part which is not what I’d intended,” he sighed and patted her hand. “An old colleague once told me that running for office was an art and people won’t remember how you get there, just what you do once you’re in.”

“He’s wrong, Travis. Some of us do remember how you got there,” she frowned and followed the others inside.

Travis was right. It was a nice day for this. Alexa looked up as a small breeze blew in from over the water. For the middle of summer, the day was unusually cooler than most. Maybe it was because they were at the ocean. Or maybe the normally unforgiving sun decided to give the earth a break for the day. Either way, Alexa was just happy to be able to wear her sundress without it sticking to her thighs.

Alexa grabbed the blanket and picnic basket off the back seat of her car. She and Melissa had prepared lunch while everyone else got dressed for the outing. Surprisingly, it was one of the only times Gavin’s little sister seemed cordial. Alexa assumed he must have said something to her. 

Gavin headed down the docks first, followed closely by Alexa. She was looking at her surroundings, enjoying the view from the shore and the dozens of boats launched out into the bay. “Watch your step,” Gavin cautioned as he rushed up the rickety sounding metal ramp. He headed toward the front of the family vessel and began untying ropes from the metal cleats.

Carefully, Alexa started up after him, watching each of the steps she made as the dock swayed ceaselessly beneath her. “Gavin?” Alexa paused midway up the ramp and looked towards him. Something heavy lingered in the air nearly choking the breath out of her. She looked around for the distinct odor and noticed a yellow-tinged liquid pumping into the water beneath the yacht. Gas! If Gavin started the engine, the entire thing was going up in flames! Quickly she hurried farther up the dock, hoping to get to him in time. “Gavin, wait! Don’t…”

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