His Sweet Red

chapter 11

"I had a box with me yesterday," Cassie started getting up looking around while heading to her bedroom.

"It's by the table in the sitting room," Linda told her.

Cassie went to look for the letter then she remembered she was holding it when she was grabbed.

"Did you happen to see a paper with a hand-drawn smiley face?" She asked turning to her brother and friend.

"No. After you fainted all I could think of was getting you home. One of the guys who saw the commotion came to help. And carried your stuff. I told them someone tried to rob you but he got away. My focus was getting you here." Chad replied.

"A smiley face? Why would you have a letter with a smiley face? What does it mean?" Linda asked.

Cassie sat down and thought back to the time when she was still in her foster home.

"After the car crash, I was in an orphanage for a few months before being adopted. When I stayed with my adopted parents I used to love this show called the Mentalist. It was about a man who was trying to find his wife's murderer. A serial killer by the name of Red John, who always left a hand-drawn smiley face after a kill. I was obsessed with that series and my foster dad Ronnie is the only one who knows. He once thought it was funny to draw one on my bathroom mirror with red lipstick." Cassie said shuddering from the memory.

Even though she knew it was just a silly television show the smiley face was creepy. She thought no one knew she watched the show because she was not really allowed to watch t.v. When she found the one in her mirror she was so scared she almost had a panic attack. Then Ronnie came out of his hiding place laughing his ass off. He had a twisted sense of humor.

"But is he not in jail for life?" Linda asked.

"I think so, I hope so," Cassie replied. That is one thing she would not be able to live with. Ronnie lose on the streets and knowing where she is.

"So who attacked you? Was it your father's perverted ex-friend or your former foster dad.?" Linda liked mysteries. Her inquisitive nature was starting to show. If Cassie did not know better she would say her best friend was enjoying her mess.

"I don't know Linda."

"Wow, your life is one f****d up thriller. " Yep, Linda was enjoying it.

"Why thank you, I had not realized." Cassie snapped.

"I need to go back to Los Angeles and check out if Duncan is the one after you. I was so sure it was him. When I talked to dad and told him I had found you he panicked about Duncan coming after you. He said that he was the kind of guy who never gave up." Chad said sitting next to his sister and taking her hand in his.

"Hold up, you going to leave her unprotected here? With that psycho probably hunting for her." Linda asked turning to him.

"She is not unprotected, her boyfriend is one of the best when it comes to security. He can keep her safe till I get back. And I can keep an eye on Duncan and his guys from there." Chad replied annoyance marring his face.

"Which boyfriend?" Cassie asked confusion marring her face.

"Jake Stone," Chad replied in a duh tone.

"That rich playboy?" Linda asked.

"First of that imbecile is not my boyfriend. I hardly know the guy and the little I know of him actually puts him on my never-to-date list."

"But the magazine....." Chad started only to be interrupted by Linda scoffing.

"You believe that s**t?" Even though she enjoyed reading them, Linda did not believe all the things they posted. She honestly read them for amusement and to know who is who.

"Magazines say any bullshit to sell. That guy ambushed me and now everyone is saying we are a couple." Cassie explained to him. She doubted he read magazines so he probably would believe anything they said.

"So you are not dating?"

"NOOOO. I indirectly lost my job because of that guy. There is no way I would date him. That weirdo irks me. Right now I just want to pound his f*****g ugly face in." Cassie spoke hitting her fist into her open palm, imagining Jake's face. And that sleazy Harold. One of then deserved a pounding in.

"Ok Cuss no need to get your panties in a twist."

"Why do you call her Cuss?"

"Because ever since we were eight she made sure she knew as many swear words as she could. She has a bad potty mouth. I don't know how mom and dad never caught her." Chad explained with a wide smile.

"I can attest to the potty mouth. She can cuss, I think some of them she makes them up." Linda told him smiling too.

"b***h please, like you are an Angel, you rival me," Cassie told her with a scoff.

Linda grinned and shrugged." That is true. Guilty as charged" she agreed.

"Listen why don't you try to talk to Jake. He is good at what he does trust me. And he has connections. You don't need to date the guy just hire him for protection."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Still stubborn as f**k," Chad mumbled shaking his head."I should go right away dad doesn't know where I am, he only knows I found you. He warned me to stay away from you as if I would. He might have suspicions though."

"Right now your father is public enemy number one. He is the cause of Cassie getting attacked. I do not give a rat's ass what he said. Family should stick together." Linda ranted on.

"I know that's why I came. I also made a report to a friend of mine who is a cop. They will look into it and probably keep an eye out. I will also see what I can shake up to keep you safe but I still feel that Jake is the best."

The twins hugged each other. Each not wanting to let go.

"I'm glad I have you back." Chad told her, his voice thick with emotion.

"Me too Chad. Me too."