Fade to Red

The night was brisk, so he put his arm around Lana and pulled her closer.

Colette made a weird sound and he looked at Lana, wondering if he’d imagined it. She gave a subtle shrug.

Colette coughed. “Oh w-wow,” she said. “I live right there.” She pointed at the house next to his, their only neighbor for miles.

“So crazy!” he said. “I had no idea.”

Distracted, he turned to Lana and gave her ponytail a tug. He nuzzled his nose into her hair, and if Colette hadn’t been around, he’d lean Lana against this car and go again.

Colette coughed again.

“I’ve gotta go,” Lana said, backing up. “Thanks for the best-” She leaned in and said the rest in his ear.

He laughed and kissed her. When she got in the car, he closed the door for her and stood staring at the car after she’d driven away.

“She your girlfriend?” Colette asked.

For a moment, he’d forgotten she was there.

“I think she is now,” he said, smiling. “Night, Colette!” He jogged backwards, waving at her before turning around and going back in the house.

Lana was found dead two days later. She’d hung herself with a rope in her bedroom.

Beckham could never reconcile the fun-loving girl he’d known with a girl who would kill herself, but everyone had their own theories about her being depressed and not having the greatest family life.

He’d started drinking shortly after that.

“Beckham?” Roxie called.

Beckham turned, dazed. How many other casualties have there been? He looked at Roxie. She was looking at him with concern.

“We have to get you somewhere safer,” he whispered.

It was a few more days before the hospital was comfortable releasing Roxie. Although she was still sore, she was breathing much better. Her hand hadn’t been infected, just needed cleaning. Once it was treated, it improved. The bruises and cuts still looked awful, but she was moving around better and never complained about how she felt.

She was a wreck from missing Leo though. He’d visited once, but she hadn’t gotten to see her family or Leo in the last two days. It was taking its toll on her. Once Dion had a plan in place, their families and the Sterlings had gone to a safe house.

Tonight, after her release, they’d be able to see everyone, and Beckham loved how excited that made Roxie. She needed her family and normalcy more than ever.

He breathed much easier when they were safely out of the hospital. Their leaving was very covert, and they both sagged against the seats in relief when they got in the back of the car. Howie and Dion were in the front seat.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on Leo,” Roxie said, looking out the window. “I don’t want to go another day without him ever again. In that house … seeing his face kept me going…”

“You won’t have to, not if I can do anything about it,” Beckham promised. “I wish I’d known how miserable you were without him on tour.”

“I wanted to remain professional and provide for him—dancers don’t get to bring their families on tour. I knew that and still chose to do it.” She looked out the window. “We made the best of it, but … I don’t think I can do it anymore.” She bit her lip and wouldn’t look at him.

There was an awkward shift in the air. For the first time since she’d woken up in the hospital, he felt unsure about what to do. His hands ached to hold hers. He wanted to put his arm around her and to kiss her. It had seemed natural in the hospital to take care of her and do some of those things, but now that she was out, it seemed like it reminded them both of where their relationship had been before she was kidnapped.

He put his hand on hers anyway. She turned and looked at him, eyes serious.

“I know nothing is really resolved with us, Roxie. I haven’t forgotten that you were done with me. And I know I deserve it. But … I’ve never been more sure of what I feel for you. I-”

She touched his arm.

“Beckham … thank you for taking care of me in the hospital the last few days,” she interrupted. “You’ve been wonderful. And I know we need to talk. Can we just-” She leaned her head back. “We don’t even know…” She groaned. “I can’t make sense of my thoughts right now,” she admitted. “I … see Coco in my dreams and around every shadow. All I can think about is getting to Leo. I think the last few days are the longest you and I have ever gotten along and that might have something to do with the fact that I’m doped up.”

“Not true,” he protested.

She laughed and held onto her ribs. “You know it is.”

He stared at their hands. This talk wasn’t going how he’d hoped, but at least she wasn’t telling him no.

It was nearly an hour before they pulled into the parking lot of what appeared to be a small, outdated apartment complex. Howie pulled around the back and went through the open garage door.

Beckham helped Roxie inside. They walked through a hall and then it opened into a huge open space with vaulted ceilings, plush couches, and a big screen TV. The inside was much nicer than the outside.

“Mama!” Leo yelled and ran toward Roxie, coming to an abrupt stop before he reached her.

He leaned his head on her arm instead of hugging her, gazing up at her face. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer.

“I’m okay, little man. I’m sore, but I have to get a hug from my boy.” Her tears dripped on his head and she laughed. “I might cry for a few days. I’m just so happy to see you. All of you!”

Ian put his hand on Beckham’s shoulder and squeezed. “Glad you’re here.”

Everyone was there—Roxie’s parents, Chloe, Leo, Ian, Sparrow, Journey, Beckham’s mom and Sierra. They took turns hugging them, maneuvering around Leo since he wouldn’t leave his mom’s side. It was strange to see everyone acting like old friends.

“A lot has happened since I’ve been in the hospital,” Roxie said, smiling.

Chloe put her arm around Roxie and they put their heads together. “We’ve made the best of a horrible situation,” she said. “Good thing is that everyone gets along.”

Beckham’s mom laughed. “If we have to be locked up, this is the place to be.”

Beckham watched when Ian and Roxie hugged. She’d been so out of it when he visited her in the hospital. She put her forehead on his shoulder and sobbed. He patted her back and looked at Sparrow. She was crying too and put her hand on Roxie’s shoulder.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you,” Roxie said to Ian when she lifted her head.

“You were so brave—you would’ve gotten out of there. I’m really glad we were together, though.” His eyes were agonized as he looked at Beckham and then he put his hands on either side of Roxie’s shoulders. “I’ve talked to Sparrow and Beckham about the pictures. They understand what happened.”

Roxie looked at Sparrow in alarm and cried harder. “I’m so sorry,” she said to Sparrow.

“I know that was all Coco,” Sparrow said, touching Roxie’s cheek. “I’m just sorry you had to go through any of it.”

Dion interrupted. “Can I have your attention while we’re all here? I want to let you know I appreciate all the ways you’ve cooperated with us. None of you have complained—at least not to me—about having to give up your phones and Internet access. I know you must be having withdrawals, but I appreciate you not taking it out on me.” His shoulders shook as he chuckled. “The fact that Coco is still out there is heavy on all of our minds. Beckham and Ian are already aware of our next step. It won’t be easy, but I hope that it will draw Coco out and we can get you back to your homes safe and sound. I ask for your patience for a few more days. My team will be happy to get anything you need … within reason.” He chuckled again.

When it seemed like he was done, Daniel spoke up. “I’d like to hear how you plan to draw Coco out…”

Roxie’s eyes shifted to Beckham’s and he felt his pulse quicken. She wouldn’t like this. At all.